VICTORIA Pendleton failed to complete on her first competitive ride over fences after Minella Theatre was pulled up in a point-to-point at Black Forest Lodge yesterday.

Although the 12-year-old gelding jumped well for a long way, the former Olympic cycling champion, who lives in Moreton, near Thame, pulled up Alan Hill’s inmate two fences from home.

Pendleton announced earlier this year she was targeting a ride in the Foxhunter Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

Having spent the summer working with trainer Lawney Hill and her husband Alan at Aston Rowant, Pendleton has ridden in three amateur Flat events – going close to winning at Ripon – but has now turned her attention to racing over obstacles.

Hill was happy with the way the double Olympic cycling champion conducted herself in her first ride in a point-to-point and will look to give her another go in a fortnight.

He said: “She gave him a very good ride and she pulled up two out, which was very sensible.

“Tthe ground was a little soft for him, but, having said that, he jumped brilliantly.

“She enjoyed it and it was a very good start for her first ride over fences.

“Now we’ve got the first ride under the belt which is very important.

"We’ll be looking at a couple of weeks to see if we can get her on a racecourse again and have another go.”

Pendleton tweeted: “Really enjoyed my first race over jumps @BlackForestLod1 today x.”