OLYMPIC cycling gold medallist Victoria Pendleton is set to ride in a point-to-point on the PPORA fixture at Barbury Racecourse, near Swindon, on Sunday, December 6.
Pendleton, who had her first riding lesson in February, aims to ride in the 2016 Cheltenham Foxhunters race and with only a handful of rides on the Flat behind her, Barbury provides the opportunity to gain invaluable experience.
Riding out six times a week for Oxfordshire trainer Alan Hill and his wife Lawney, Pendleton receives lessons from jumping guru Yogi Breisner.
Two horses, According to Sarah and Sedgemoor Express, were bought Victoria's sponsor Betfair for the former World, Olympic and Commonwealth champion.
Despite the vastly experienced team supporting her, Pendleton faces a difficult task to achieve her goal as many of her fellow competitors have been riding all their lives.
The event at Barbury Racecourse will be just the first of many opportunities for the public to see Pendleton’s progress, as it is reckoned she will need to ride in at least 15 to 20 races before Cheltenham to gain much-needed racecourse experience over jumps.
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