Dubai: Jean Philippe Frances is a top-notch rider from France and is also the reigning European Open champion.
Sabrina Arnold is an equally competent rider from Germany.
The two champion riders have a great bond going which has seen Sabrina shift her base to France and live with her boyfriend.
"You can also speak to my boyfriend who is the European champion," said Sabrina pointing to Frances when speaking to Gulf News at the Dubai International Endurance City.
Representing their respective countries in many international and world championships, and competing in many rides in Europe has brought the two together and today the duo share a strong bond off the tracks while turning fierce competitors on the tracks.
Good finish
"In most of the major championships we are representing our countries but this ride is an individual championship so we will be supporting each other," said Sabrina.
Sabrina, who will be riding 10-year-old bay mare Jestime in tomorrow's His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup 2008, said the speed would be a tough challenge for them.
In the European Open Championship in Portugal last year, Sabrina was unlucky to be eliminated in the penultimate stage while her boyfriend went on to win the 160-km ride.
Her horse Jestime has a good record but more with Sabrina's sister Melanie but the German star is hoping for a good finish tomorrow. Frances on the other hand will be partnered by Lasko Du Clos, an 8-year-old stallion that is yet to make his presence felt in the longer distances.
"We have been training here since January 4 and the horse is getting acclimatised.
"But the UAE riders have a lot of speed and my horse will find the desert surface a new experience," said Frances, who is based near Marseilles. "I will also be using this ride as a preparation for the World Endurance Championship to be held in Malaysia and it is tough even to get into the French 6-member squad," said the reigning European champion.
"Yes we help each other and we train together," said Frances as he along with Sabrina will be starting off as favourites.
