Victoria Pendleton to train as a jockey

VP finished fourth in the first race she completed on Sunday. Also see she's got her ride for Cheltenham already.
 
Good on her - and roll on Cheltenham! I saw she pulled up her second ride due to the going,good that she's got enough sense to pull up a tired horse struggling in heavy going.
 
Lauren.1992 said:
I haven't missed any point. What you are trying to say is that because she is a famous cyclist she deserves to get special treatment to be able to go point to pointing? She doesn't! There are far better stable staff out there who ride far better yet will never get the chance because they havnt "broken down the first door"
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Yes she does she proven herself to be a world class athlete therefore she deserves to take every advantage that all the work sweat and commitment has opened for her.
Not my favorite sportsperson by I don't begrudge her advantages she has earned them .
 
At least she is being sensible pulling horses up that aren't going. As to Cheltenham she still has a very long way to go. I can't remember the race conditions off of the top of my head but I am sure you need a certain number of completed rides before you are allowed to take part.
 
Whether we have the full story, I'm not sure, but she seems to have the full support and encouragement of AP and from what we see, when he's been interviewed and discussed her chances, if he thought that it was a bum idea, I'd bet that he'd speak up.

Good Luck to the girl, and as always EKW, a knowledgable and useful post.

Alec.
 
I admire her courage and guts. My main concern is for her safety, I havent seen her ride for a while but the only pro race I watched (it was televised on RUK and was a flat race) she just seemed to fall off the side near the end of the race, almost as if she was tired and lost her balance riding a finish. It was a while ago and Im sure she has strengthened up and perfected her technique but I cant help thinking a ride in the Foxhunters is a step too far. We all know how dangerous the sport can be, even for the experienced amateurs and no one will be making allowances for anyone else. I can only hope that unless she really is up to it, those helping her will stop her going ahead.
 
I think the trainer has to make sure the rider is fit to race, it would be a difficult to refuse her the opportunity if the horse is fit for purpose, but there is a big difference if one has to push for any length of time, the muscles run out of oxygen and the rider falls off.......... [speaking from experience]
 
There doesn't seem to be a minimum experience level for the jockeys that I can find. Only for horses who must have won 2 Open PTP's or been placed 1st or 2nd in 2 Open Hunter Chases.
 
bonny said:
She's already got the required licence to ride in the Foxhunters.
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Yes but some races have certain criteria for riders regardless of what licence they hold - ie they need a certain number of completed rides over certain obstacles et al. I thought the Foxhunters has such criteria but it would seem not for the riders. It might be the amatuers going over the National fences that I am thinking of.
 
Bonkers2 said:
I think the trainer has to make sure the rider is fit to race, it would be a difficult to refuse her the opportunity if the horse is fit for purpose, but there is a big difference if one has to push for any length of time, the muscles run out of oxygen and the rider falls off.......... [speaking from experience]
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I think maybe VP may know a thing or two on that score!!
 
I still think falling off in the middle of a field full of racing racehorses is potentially far more hazardous than falling off midfield in a cycle race! I only hope she manages to avoid trouble and has a safe and enjoyable spin round.
 
Spilletta said:
Great stuff, really pleased for VP. I'm enjoying following her progress :)

I think (assuming there will be a television documentary, or something) that she'll bring it to the attention of the interested public about how very hard everyone in racing works; and how physically fit that jockeys/riders need to be.
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I think what's she's achieved in such a short time is amazing and she is obviously incredibly dedicated and driven, I just hope if they do make a film of it they really make a big point of the fact that she has a special mindset as at the moment I'm not sure that the general public are getting a true insight to what it takes to be a jockey. When McCoy said on channel 4 that she's not taking shortcuts it was the biggest load of bull**** as the whole plan has jumped the years of grafting that any jockeys (including McCoy) did before they were even considered for their first ride, pointing is different as a lot of jockeys own their own horse or their parents own one to get them started but not to many have a horse to ride in the fox hunters lined up before they've had their first ride over fences and none before they've even sat on a horse.

I don't doubt for a second that she isn't working as hard and to be honest harder than most of the jockeys she'll line up alongside in March and so far she's done nothing to say she shouldn't be there as she seems to be able to ride to orders, ride to a race plan and is as safe as any novice. (I haven't seen her ride in a point so correct me if I'm wrong) Her fitness could never be in doubt in anyone mind and where she's leapfrogged most other first season jockeys is from the first time she sat on a horse she's had the best eyes making sure that everything she's doing is correct, she doesn't have to iron out the bad habits that the jockeys that have ridden for years have to. I still maintain what she achieved is incredible and wish her luck for Cheltenham and yes I'm very jealous as I would cut my arm off for the opportunity she's had.
 
I was fence judging yesterday and have to say when she went over our jump, she rode it beautifully and looked a proper pro. She did a far better job than quite a few of the jockeys yesterday! Yes she has a good horse but you can't just put any old person on top of a fit P2Per!! And this is all from learning to ride in less than a year. I take my hat off to her - she totally looked the part. I've been hunting and riding since I could walk but you wouldn't get me riding in a P2p!! She has done really well.
 
Fantastic to see her doing so well, she'll have worked hard to achieve this. I was so sad to see woman putting her down and being snide in earlier posts. she's one hell of an athlete and has determination and courage as well and we should all celebrate her success.
 
I've just seen a stunning photo of her from yesterday. She certainly looks like a pro, and I, too will be wishing her well at Cheltenham.
 
Victoria Pendleton is riding at Fakenham this afternoon in the 16:10. We'll be going, to watch. Should anyone else be going, a quick PM and we'll meet up for a pint, if you like!

I'm tempted to risk a tenner each way and then either celebrate my win or drown my sorrows in the bar afterwards!

Alec.
 
Whoops! Never mind! There will be other days but I certainly hope she gets another few rides in hunter chases before she goes to Cheltenham in just shy of 4 weeks time! Cheltenham speed is going to be something else entirely!
 
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