United Arab Emirates - The four horse and rider teams and two individual teams riding for the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) at the 2005 FEI World Endurance Championship (WEC) have passed the fitness inspection-now it's a waiting game as each rests up for an early morning start on January 27.

The four riders named to the U.S. squad: Carol Giles of Prineville, OR; Beverly Gray, of Park City, UT; Michele Roush, DVM, of French Corral, CA and Dennis Summers of Gifford, WA, and the two individual competitors: Becky Harris of Median, OH and Carolyn Hock of Riverside, CA, will start at the newly built Dubai International Endurance City in Dubai, UAE, early Thursday morning. From there, they'll embark on their 100 mile journey through the desert. Unseasonably cool weather is predicted, with the possibility of a rain shower during the day; the potential effects of both on the riders, horses and the sandy desert footing could make for a very interesting race.

The UAE tends to set a blistering pace at events in the desert, which has been part of the reason that the United States has been out of the medals for the last two World Championships. But this year, U.S. Chef d' Equipe Art Priesz, Jr. feels things might be different.

"In the past, the horses have not shown as well as they should," said Priesz. "We have been developing a team strategy that involves using what has been successful with France, the UAE and the U.S. Eventers. We are incorporating the team strategy of the French, the improved methods of hydration from the UAE and we are using the national team strategy for team selection similar to that of the U.S. Eventers. I think the chances for a medal are very good."

The French and UAE are among the favorites this year, due to their Gold Medal winning performances in 2002 along with Australia. The team from down under has medaled the last two World Championships, including winning the Team Gold in 2000.

A record number of competitors are expected to start the competition -178 riders from 41 nations, prompting the Guinness Book of World Records organization to be on hand to verify the WEC as the largest single equestrian event of its kind in history. The current record holder is the 1998 WEC that featured 162 riders from 37 nations.

The WEC kicked off with a beautiful Opening Ceremony on Tuesday evening, complete with members of the UAE cavalry bearing the flags from the participating nations. The Royal families of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and neighboring countries were present including HRH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the driving force behind the entire Endurance movement in the UAE.

For more information, please contact Sarah Lane, Public Relations Manager, on (859) 225-6974 or via e-mail at slane@usef.org. USEF press releases can be found on our website, www.usef.org.