Former cycling champion Pendleton comes 5th at Cheltenham (The Associated Press)

Victoria Pendleton gave a thumbs-up and a wave to the cheering crowd as she was welcomed into the winner’s enclosure by thousands of fans at the Cheltenham Festival. Barely a year after sitting on a horse for the first time, Pendleton – an Olympic cycling champion-turned-amateur jockey – exceeded all expectations by producing a smooth, error-free ride aboard Pacha Du Polder in the Foxhunter Chase. ”It’s such a rush riding a thoroughbred racehorse over jumps,” said Pendleton, who won gold medals for Britain in cycling at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics.