Over the stable door: Show newcomer Pendleton much more respect

The time has come for me to throw my Clerk of the Course hat on and prepare, once again, for Skipton Races on April 29. This year I'm just donning the clerk's trilby, a relief compared to last year when I was also wearing the badge for secretary, trade stand organiser and bar manager. It was too much for one person, especially when trying to fit in a business and the school run.
Double Olympic cycling champion Victoria Pendleton rides Pacha Du Polder at Fakenham (Picture: David Davies/PA Wire).Double Olympic cycling champion Victoria Pendleton rides Pacha Du Polder at Fakenham (Picture: David Davies/PA Wire).
Double Olympic cycling champion Victoria Pendleton rides Pacha Du Polder at Fakenham (Picture: David Davies/PA Wire).

This year we’ve planned a special race to begin our afternoon card. The Candlelighters Charity Flat Race is open to anyone who can raise £400 for the children’s cancer unit in Leeds. It is a circuit and a half of the track and open to any horse and rider combination. There is considerable interest, one entrant is riding his wonderful Clydesdale gelding - an experienced runner on the Clydesdale racing scene apparently. We aim for it to be a huge crowd pleaser with lots of prizes and promotional gear provided by Candlelighters.

The charity is based at the children’s cancer unit in Leeds General Infirmary. Since it was set up in 1976, Candlelighters has funded research in to finding a cure, building new bedrooms enabling families to stay together, new school rooms, an outdoor garden, unique holidays for sick children, a party room, a cinema, etc. It is a remarkable place so the more money we can raise the better.

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Writing of those who fancy their hand at race riding leads me to all the fuss surrounding Victoria Pendleton. I wish the press and armchair experts would leave her alone. The large bookmaker sponsoring her are masters at extricating all they can from her every lump, bump and jump.

Ms Pendleton is obviously a driven, independently minded sportswoman who knows what she wants and is hoping to defy the odds to get it.

Some sections of the press fuel ferocious debate by deliberately misinterpreting every sound piece of advice offered to her by numerous former champions, and twisting it to read like harsh criticism.

Any maiden amateur jockey starting from the bottom, women in particular, have a long and steep ladder to climb before they gain the experience needed to ‘read’ a race, judge pace, get themselves and their horses out of trouble and finally win on a steed which is not merely a steering job.

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In Victoria’s case much more has been expected of her, she’s been placed halfway up the ladder on the assumption missing the bottom runners out won’t matter, her sponsors are keen to reap publicity as she climbs higher, fully anticipating she will hit the top in half the time it takes others.

What is ultimately clear for anyone involved in the racing industry is how vital those bottom runners of the ladder are.

Victoria’s head start is actually a disadvantage. Faced with trying to learn the vital lessons verbally or cantering around the gallops is an impossibility. They can only be gained on the race track, something Victoria is finding out in full glare of a critical public eye.

The situation rather resembles a poor quality reality show. Thankfully our lady amateur is refusing to rise to the media bait, maintaining her dignity.

I have the upmost respect for her conduct and wish her a great season.