photo: Becky Hart (right) and Valerie Kanavy, who will head the US team, have five World Championship titles between them. (M.Satya Narayan/Gulf News)By M. Satya Narayan, Senior Reporter
Published: November 05, 2008, 23:33
Terengganu, Malaysia: The US team at the World Endurance Championship, the US teams are hoping for a change in their fortunes.
After winning seven world championships in a row, the Americans have been knocked off the top with no medals in the last four editions.
Two of their finest champions - Becky Hart and Valerie Kanavy - have come together to try and get the Americans back to winning ways.
Hart is the Chef d'Equippe of the US team here while Kanavy is a rider and a strong contender for the title.
Kanavy, a two-time World Championship winner, said: "I am enjoying the competition and this time we do have a good team.
"I do enjoy riding in the night but the heat and humidity could be a problem.
"Though we have the experience of riding in such conditions in the US and likewise the UAE riders do have the experience of riding in extreme heat, the reality is that one must go slow.
"One has to be very smart and pay more attention to the horse. It will be a challenging ride. But the US riders do have the experience."
Hart's experience of winning the World Championship should prove useful for the team.
She said: "The horses have all done very well since arrival and look to have adapted to the conditions here."
With the French, UAE and Spanish having enjoyed success at the expense of the Americans, Hart and Kanavy will be hoping to reclaim the title.