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Dubai: Sophie Arnaud, the French rider who had won a team gold at the 2007 European Open Championships - despite her horse Electra being eliminated in the first loop due to lameness - is looking to make amends in Saturday's Dh1.5 million His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup 2008.
Fully aware of the tough competition in the ride and also the 12 French riders who are in the fray, Arnaud hopes to first finish and impress the French selectors ahead of the World Endurance Championship, to be held in Malaysia later this year.
Arnaud was among the four-member French team that won the European team gold in Portugal last year, but while her three teammates finished the event, her horse Electra was eliminated.
Yet to acclimatise
"I have brought Kola Du Colombier for this ride. We have come here with not much training as the winter is harsh back home and my horse is yet to get fully acclimatised," Arnaud told Gulf News at the Quarantine Stables in Dubai International Endurance City.
Having finished 6th in a 120-km ride in April, after a 7th place finish in a 160-km ride in February with Kola Du Colombier, Arnaud is hoping her horse will repeat the good performances of last year.
"There will be some intense competition, but we have to watch out for the speeds.
"I am aware that the average speeds here are about 24kmph and I do about 19kmph. Maybe, I will be happy with an average of 20kmph for the 160-km ride," said the smart French rider.
"We will have to wait and see what happens when the ride starts on Saturday. For me, I am keen to complete the ride and if that means a top finish, I will take it. But before that, I have to ensure Kola Du Colombier begins to like it here and runs a good race."
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