WEG: Cockley-Adams delighted to be on her way to the World Equestrian Games

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SEVENHAMPTON endurance rider Janice Cockley-Adams will be taking on the world this year, when she represents Great Britain at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

The Games take place at Kentucky in the USA (September 25 to October 10) and Cockley- Adams is one of five riders named on the GB endurance squad, with her 15hh chestnut mare Roxane du bout du Monde.

They will face a tough challenge, racing over a 160km course in what is one of the most demanding equestrian disciplines.

"This is a terrific honour and a real challenge," Cockley- Adams said. "Selection for the World Championships is the high point of my career so far and the result of years of hard work juggling a full time career with looking after, training and competing my horses."

Cockley-Adams proved just how tough she is back in June when she broke her collarbone, requiring an operation to repair the damage. She was on a plane to the USA for a business trip 36 hours later and back in the saddle in less than 14 days.

She started riding relatively late, in her early 20s, having been a county level athlete, and took part in her first endurance race ride in 1990. In 2007 Cockley-Adams won her first 160km title, at the renowned Dukeries ride, and was ranked seventh in the world.

Last year she was the best Brit in the inaugural FEI 160km Sheik Mohammed Al Maktoum Endurance Cup, the world's richest endurance ride held in Dubai, and in 2010 finished second in the Haywood Oaks 160km ride.

Joining her on the World team will be husband and wife Chris and David Yeomans, from Somerset, Ros Clapp and Beccy Broughton-Booker.

"We have a top class team of riders who have competed successfully in international rides many times," remarked Chef d'Equipe, Liz Finney. "Their horses have all proved that they are capable of the speeds necessary nowadays to win team medals and we will be competing in Kentucky with a real chance of a top team position."

The team has had to raise their own funds to make the trip – anyone looking to help their gallant cause can visit www.endurancegb.co.uk and follow the links to WEG Kentucky.

The World Equestrian Games is held every four years.