BRITAIN'S most successful female Olympian, former cyclist Victoria Pendleton, is set to undertake her first competitive race - on a horse.

After passing a two-day Category A amateur jockey assessment at the British Racing school last week, the dual Olympic gold medallist is set to race over one mile, three furlongs in the last event at Ripon Racecourse on Monday, the Betfair Novice Flat Amateur Riders Handicap.

She said by taking part in her first race under rules, riding Royal Etiquette for trainer Lawney Hill at the North Yorkshire track, she would move a step closer to achieving her ambition to ride in the Fox Hunters Chase at the Cheltenham Festival next year.

The flat race at Ripon, sponsored by Pendleton’s backers bookmakers Betfair, will serve to give the her race riding experience following her debut in a charity race at Newbury last month.

Betfair announced the Switching Saddles challenge ahead of Cheltenham this year to promote horse racing.

Pendleton said her first six months preparing to become a jockey had been challenging and exciting.

She said: "The experience has been life changing; I can’t imagine my life without it now.

"Ripon will be my first time racing with an official licence, I can’t wait.”

British Racing Schools’ senior jockey coach Richard Pernham said Pendleton’s transformation from total novice to amateur jockey had been swift and remarkable.

He said: "Victoria's progression from when we first welcomed her for her two weeks of intensive training is incredible, she has dedicated herself to Betfair's challenge like a true professional and that showed during her fine performance throughout the assessment"

A Betfair spokesman added: "Her dedication to the challenge and drive to succeed have been evident throughout."

James Hutchinson, managing director of Ripon Racecourse, said he was thrilled to be able to play a small part in helping Pendleton achieve her goal.

He added: "This will be an added bonus for our many race-goers to enjoy at our Bank Holiday family day. We look forward to welcoming her to Ripon and wish her all the best in her race in the Betfair Novice Flat Amateur series.”

The race programme begins at 2.25pm, with the highlight being £30,000 The Irish Champions Weekend EBF Ripon Champion Two-Years-Old Trophy 2015 – the only Listed race staged at Ripon.