Possibly the most famous endurance rider in the world, Valerie Kanavy calls endurance riding "trail riding with an attitude!" The 1994 (in The Netherlands) and 1998 (in the United Arab Emirates) World Endurance Champion, Kanavy began her competitive career in 1972.

Kanavy and her husband, Larry, have three children. Their daughter, Danielle, is almost as famous as her mother. Danielle captured the 1996 World Endurance Championships 9in Kansas) on her mother's horse, Pieraz, narrowly defeating her mother who finished second on the gray High Winds Jedi. Jedi has an interesting history, having once been a racehorse.

Among the most well-known of her horses, 1994 World Champion, Pieraz, was bought for just $500. This proves that along with her riding and training skills, Kanavy has an excellent eye for a horse.

Another of Kanavy's horses, the 1996 World Silver Medalist, TK Fire N Gold, was sold to Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, a world class endurance rider.