Victoria's Blog: Switching Saddles; the start of my ambitious journey from cyclist to jockey

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08 March 2015

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On Friday, Victoria Pendleton announced that she has started training to become a jockey, supported by Betfair. You will be able to follow her every step of the way here, starting with her first blog...

"Here's to the next 12 months - there'll be highs and lows, as with any sport, I'm sure - but with the right training, and bit of luck and a lot of hard work maybe the ambition of riding at Cheltenham will become a reality."

I've been to Sandown, I've been to the horseracing mecca that is Ascot but I never thought I would find myself accepting the challenge of learning to become a jockey.

When you add to that the grand ambition of trying to ride as an amateur at Cheltenham in 12 months time, it's a hugely exciting yet slightly daunting challenge.

When Betfair first approached me to take on the challenge I had to read the proposal through a few times. I knew if it was based on sheer determination alone I would be able to give it a good go but I couldn't help thinking about those thundering hooves. How did the men and women riding the horses manage to make it look so apparently effortless?

As a professional track cyclist I've always challenged myself and I enjoy seeing how I cope when faced with the unknown. I'm psychologically used to it and my body has always been able to get me through the rigours of training in the more familiar field of cycling.

Although it's still early in my journey from cyclist to jockey, I'm confident that my physical ability - years of balance and core stability training coupled with knowing how to stay calm and controlled - gives me a good base to start from. An ability to take on the reams of coaching I'll be receiving over the next 12 months will also help.

Ever since the elite cycling stopped, I've felt there was something missing in my day to day life, a pretty significant hole that used to be filled with training, development and the overall routine that goes with being a professional athlete. I've been looking for something that allows me to push myself and despite my friends and family thinking I'm a little mad, I am going to do my utmost to get that Category A licence.

Anyone that has been lucky enough to go to the races and witness the magnificent spectacle of a competitive race will know why people, myself included, instantly fall in love with the power and beauty of race horses in full gallop.

I have always loved speed and the thrill of competition - you've got to as a cyclist - but I can remember thinking before I went to my first horse race that despite all this, it might not be for me. No chance. As soon as I heard the roar of the crowd the adrenaline started pumping - and that's just as a spectator, imagine what it's like as jockey!

I've always loved animals and groomed friends horses as a child, I think I may have even ridden the odd seaside donkey in my early years, but that's the extent of my experience with horses. To that end, this challenge means me learning everything from scratch.

Betfair have helped pull together a world class support team for me - Yogi (Breisner) and Chris (King) have been an awesome in the week I've spent under their tutelage so far. I've gone from the basics of setting up my tack and getting on a horse to completing a rising trot unaided.

There have been a lot of moments where I've been given 'what not to do' advice and it will continue to be a steep learning curve, but from the first morning I got on that horse at Chris King's yard, I knew I'd made the right decision to take on the challenge - let's face it, given the chance who wouldn't want to go really fast on a horse!

Here's to the next 12 months - there'll be highs and lows, as with any sport, I'm sure - but with the right training, and bit of luck and a lot of hard work maybe the ambition of riding at Cheltenham will become a reality.

If you want to keep up with how I'm getting on you can follow my progress here and by following @v_pendleton. And if you're at Cheltenham next week, come and say hello, I'll be there experiencing the drama of horse racing's Olympics. I can't wait.

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