Sunday 21 February 2016 16:05, UK
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.
The dual Olympic champion cyclist was making a swift comeback after her well-publicised 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 previously 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 Saddles' challenge since it was announced last March that she would make the transition 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 at any stage.
"She's obviously had a couple of wobbles, so it was important for her to get a clear round today and get her confidence back.
"Everything went perfectly, Victoria came back in beaming, as did the horse, and she can't wait to go again, so we'll try and get something organised for next weekend."
Despite her Fakenham setback, Pendleton said afterwards she remains hopeful of fulfilling her ambition of riding in the St James's Place Foxhunter Chase at next month's Cheltenham Festival.
She is due to be reunited with Pacha Du Polder in another hunter chase at Wincanton on March 2.
