Gästeboard » played on the MLS all-star team that beat Chelsea

Victoria Pendleton intends to carrying on riding in point-to-point races after her exhilarating experience when finishing fifth in the St Jamess Place Foxhunter Chase at Cheltenham on Friday. The former Olympic cyclist was back riding out at Alan and Lawney Hills Oxfordshire stables on Saturday morning following her memorable afternoon aboard the Paul Nicholls-trained Pacha Du Polder.Pendleton stated she will be back in the saddle at her local point-to-point racecourse in Kimble, Buckinghamshire, next weekend. She said: It has been a really special experience. I watched the Festival last year but at that point I didnt even allow myself to think what might happen.To come back 12 months later and take part, I cant explain how it feels.I must thank Andy Stewart for letting me ride Pacha Du Polder, who is the most amazing horse. He measured his stride so well and filled me with confidence.Without a horse of that nature this wouldnt have been possible, so Ill be forever grateful to Paul Nicholls and Andy Stewart for that.I was in for first lot (on Saturday morning) and cant get enough of it.There are things I need to practice and work on that hopefully I can put to good effect in the future.I think you have to really want to do this in your heart. Its a sport with many, many lows and just a few exceptional highs and you have to really love what you do. Its a tough old slog making it happen.I did allow myself a glass of champagne or two afterwards, went to bed and then got up for first lot.Im not racing this weekend but next weekend Ill be riding in my local point-to-point at Kimble and then well see how it goes from there.Hopefully Alan and Lawney will still have me as part of the team, Pendleton told Racing UK.John Francome was one of those that criticised Pendletons Switching Saddles project but said he has never been more happy to be wrong.Former champion jockey Francome had said she was an accident waiting to happen, and needed saving from herself.But after seeing her safely negotiate 22 fences in what is known as the amateur riders Gold Cup, Francome was quick to offers his congratulations to Pendleton.He said: Well done to her, it was a great effort and Ive never been more happy to be wrong.She did a great job and she had a fantastic horse to ride. Sky Racing Tickets Fast, secure racing tickets: Exclusive racing offers near you Also See: Live results service Full racecards ￡10 free bet Get Sky Sports Yeezy Boost 350 V2 Antlia Kopen . Although Olivetti, a qualifier, had 13 aces, he failed to force a single break-point chance on Gasquets serve and lost his own three times. Gasquet next plays third-seeded Jerzy Janowicz of Poland, who won had 18 aces in a 6-2, 6-4 win against seventh-seeded Edouard Roger-Vasselin of France. Yeezy Boost 350 V2 Kopen . "If we could score a six in every game, obviously I would be pretty excited," Jones said. "Its a long week but a short week. Its a pretty short round robin from what were used to so you dont want to get behind the eight ball early. http://www.yeezysnederland.com/yeezy-boost-700-kopen.html . - For a general manager who preaches building through the draft, Reggie McKenzie has struggled to find impact players his first two years in Oakland. Yeezy 500 Kopen Nederland . -- So much for concern that running back Marshawn Lynch would be absent from the Seattle Seahawks minicamp. Yeezy Boost 750 Kopen . As each game passes (each has played close with the exception of last night) it becomes clearer just how evenly matched these two teams are and how one mistake, or one bad inning, is likely to sway the result. VANCOUVER -- His career was built on making the right choices so its no surprise Jay DeMerit knew the time had come to walk away from playing professional soccer. DeMerit, the first player signed by the expansion Vancouver Whitecaps in 2010 and the Major League Soccer teams first captain, officially announced his retirement Thursday. "When it makes sense, when its right, its not sad," the amiable DeMerit said during a news conference. "Its not something I am going to regret. "Its something I am very proud of." Being convinced he made the right decision didnt stop DeMerit from battling back tears at one point. He will continue to work with the Whitecaps as an ambassador but has other business interests in Vancouver. "I am excited for the future," he said. "By no means is this the end." Known for strong defensive and leadership skills, the centre back had a goal and one assist in 71 career games -- 69 of which he started -- with the Whitecaps. He logged a total of 5,928 minutes during his MLS career. DeMerit spent six seasons with English club Watford FC before joining the Whitecaps. The 34-year-old American also appeared in 25 games with the U.S. national squad, starting four matches at the 2010 World Cup. Two injuries in a 15-month span hobbled DeMerit. In 2013, he missed most of the year with a torn Achilles tendon suffered in the season opener against Toronto FC. Last month, he tore a tendon in his left ankle in a 3-3 draw with the Philadelphia Union. "I knew I was up against it," DeMerit said. It was one day last week while watching the team practise that DeMerit began to question if he could return. "Watching the guys play it just kind of dawned on me I think these days are over," he said. "I looked down and saw an ankle with one real tendon. "I didnt think I had it in me anymore." Later that day while sitting on a Vancouver beach, DeMerit decided to call it a career. "I sat down on a log," he said. "At that exact second, after no other thought, I decided I was going to retire." In a letter to fans posted on the Whitecaps website, DeMerit said if he continued to play he risked damaging the reputation he spent years building. "Ive always been the kind of player who wears his heart on his sleeve and its that heart thats telling me its time to stop," he said. "If I cant be the player that I have always been, and play to a standard that I believe is high enough, then its time for me to smile, say thank you and give my commitment to a new cause." Vancouver president Bob Lenardduzzi said DeMerits charm and charisma off the field played an important role in helping to raise soccers profile in a market dominated by hockey and football.dddddddddddd "Jay gets the big picture," said Lenarduzzi. "He gets that in North America we are selling the sport." DeMerit has made over 120 appearances on behalf of the Whitecaps. "His willingness to participate in virtually any request we put in front of him has helped to strengthen our brand in the market place," said Lenarduzzi. Coach Carl Robinson said DeMerits competitive spirit helped mould the team. "Hes a sore loser," said Robinson. "Hes a pain in the backside sometimes when it comes to training because he wants to win so much. "He leads by example. Young players knew what was expected of them. If they stepped out of line, or didnt do the job properly, he would tell them." DeMerit played college soccer at the University of Illinois-Chicago but was overlooked by pro scouts. He travelled to London with $1,200 in his pocket to pursue a soccer career. In his letter he talked about being broke, "sharing bath water" with a friend and playing games with "nothing but a couple of cows and five people in the stands." Eventually DeMerit would score the goal that sent Watford to the Premiership. He played in an FA Cup semifinal against Manchester United and a League Cup semifinal against Liverpool. He also played on the MLS all-star team that beat Chelsea. In Vancouver he helped the Whitecaps become the first Canadian team to reach the MLS playoffs. The chance to be part of a new franchise appealed to DeMerit. "I thought it was an amazing opportunity to be part of a blank canvas," he said. "Vancouver gave me that opportunity." Playing in Vancouver also allowed DeMerit to meet his future wife, Olympic gold medallist skier Ashleigh McIvor. The couple were married last summer. In his letter, DeMerit talked about what soccer gave him. "I got to travel around the world, grace a few magazines and billboards, and got to see the soccer community come together and raise money to make a movie about my life," he said. "I got to talk about my beloved Green Bay Packers with Elton John while in my underwear and drink beers with Bill Clinton. "I got to meet other amazing athletes and even got to marry the most beautiful Olympic gold medallist on the planet." With one chapter of his life finished, DeMerit is anxious to see what the future holds. "This isnt a career ender," he said. "Its a life starter." ' ' '