Victoria Pendleton back on horse for a clear round

Victoria Pendleton enjoyed a confidence-boosting clear round on her return to the saddle at the Waveney Harriers point-to-point meeting at Higham in East Anglia, England.

The dual Olympic champion cyclist made a swift comeback after her unseating from Pacha Du Polder at the seventh fence on her hunter chase debut at Fakenham on Friday. Pendleton got back on board Alan Hill’s Minella Theatre in the Ladies Open, a horse she has ridden in point-to-points this season, and made much of the running before fading to pass the post last of six finishers.

Hill’s wife, Lawney, has been one of Pendleton’s chief mentors during her Betfair-backed Switching Saddle’s challenge from velodrome to racecourse.

She said: “Victoria gave the horse a great ride and has absolutely loved it. She got off to a great start – I think she nicked about 10 lengths – and made the running for about a circuit and a half. The horse jumped beautifully and she never looked unsafe.”

Pendleton remains hopeful of riding in the St James's Place Foxhunter Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.