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Olympic cyclist makes equestrian debut

British Olympic cycling champion Victoria Pendleton marked her showjumping debut with a clear round at Olympia's London International Horse Show.

Victoria Pendleton
Olympic cyclist Victoria Pendleton has made her showjumping debut at London International Horse Show (AAP)

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Source: AAP


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British gold medal-winning cyclist Victoria Pendleton marked her equestrian debut with a clear showjumping round at Olympia's London International Horse Show.

But the 2012 Olympic Keirin gold medallist was unable to inspire her team of jump jockeys to victory during a special event in aid of the Injured Jockeys Fund.

Pendleton, 36, famously took part in the Switching Saddles challenge last jumps season, learning to ride over fences with the ultimate aim of competing at the Cheltenham Festival.

She duly teamed up with Pacha Du Polder to finish fifth in Cheltenham's Foxhunter Chase in March, and was part of a five-strong National Hunt quintet at Olympia alongside Richard Johnson, Sam Twiston-Davies, Tom Scudamore and Harry Skelton.

Pendleton, who received specialist tuition from Rio 2016 individual showjumping gold medallist Nick Skelton to prepare for the event, delivered a solid display in the Markel Champions Challlenge relay competition.

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But the flat jockeys team of Frankie Dettori, who also went clear, newly crowned champion Jim Crowley, Adam Kirby, Jamie Spencer and Bridget Andrews triumphed by a comfortable margin.

"I was the only one with a clear round - I will take that!" Pendleton said.

"I had never showjumped before, so I wasn't going to take any risks."


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