Victoria Pendleton gets back in the saddle to ride at Olympia

Double Olympic gold medalist Victoria Pendleton is once again throwing herself into the unknown as she prepares to tackle a showjumping course at London’s Olympia Horse Show (13-19 December).

Victoria is preparing for the Markel Champions Challenge, held in aid of the Injured Jockeys Fund, which sees a team of Flat and Jump jockeys go head to head round a course of showjumps.

Pendleton is part of the Jump jockeys team, which will be captained by the current National Hunt Champion Jockey Richard Johnson. They will take on the Flat jockeys team, which includes Frankie Dettori, Jim Crowley and Hayley Turner.

Victoria and her team mates will have specialist training from showjumping royalty and fellow Olympic gold medalist, Nick Skelton.

“I am thrilled to be a part of such a prestigious event like Olympia. The Markel Champions Challenge will be an exciting competition with such a high calibre of jockeys and I’m really looking forward to riding in it,” said Victoria.

Having ridden in her first Foxhunter Chase at Cheltenham back in March, Victoria will be switching saddles again when she takes part in the show jumping spectacle.

“To be back involved in a team again and hear the excitement of the crowd will be immense, I just hope the jump jockeys can get over the line for the win!” she added.

This year’s jumping clash looks to be an exhilarating renewal, as the jockeys will battle it out over a tough course set by Olympia’s renowned designer Bob Ellis.

The Markel Champions Challenge in aid of the Injured Jockeys Fund will take place during Friday’s evening performance from Olympia. For more information about this year’s equestrian Christmas party, click here.