As Kbis works with Christopher in his build up to the European and Olympic Games, it is arranging competitions, with prizes such as a three-day training break at the Yorkshire Riding Centre. Look out for further details in Horse magazine.

Christopher has spent January and February in Hong Kong and Australia teaching and is now back at the Yorkshire Riding Centre, Harrogate.

His previous Badminton winner Word Perfect II, owned by Elaine and Adrian Cantwell has returned to work after a leg injury last summer and will hopefully compete in the autumn horse trial series.

Christopher’s other stars are, Oscar owned by Anne Henson who won the advanced class at Witton Castle in the spring. His new horse Dalliance a nine year old grey gelding also owned by Elaine and Adrian is booked for Blair Castle.

"This year is going to be busier than ever," says Christopher, "with the European Championships in September, then the Olympics 2000 in Sydney to aim for. Of course with horses you can never plan too far ahead, but I have my fingers crossed."

Whatever happens Christopher will be playing an important part in the British contingent as he continues his training of the British eventing team: his role is concentrated on their dressage.

"It is one of the areas both horse and rider often find difficult because they would generally far rather be doing something exciting like going fast across country," Christopher comments.

Kbis Personal Accident Cover

"We have several calls a week for riders wanting some kind of  personal accident cover. As a result we have put together a package with a much sought after range of benefits,"  says Guy Prest.

The premium is from £140 for adults and from £70 for children under 16 (with reduced benefits). We believe that both leisure and competition riders will not find a better deal anywhere.

Sponsorship

Dressage
The qualifiers will be held throughout the summer. They started in March and culminate with the regional and then national championships. Christopher Bartle, previous Badminton winner and Olympic Dressage competitor, endorses Kbis and says:"I am delighted Kbis Equine Insurance will be sponsoring this series in 1999. It will give great encouragement to riders at the start of their dressage career to have such a prestigious championship to aim for."

Guy Prest, Kbis managing director says: "This popular series reaches the widest group in British Dressage. Yet because it is less likely to be associated with prestige names it can be dismissed by sponsors. It is however our first choice because we want to sponsor and encourage people on this bottom rung."

This year’s preliminary series started in March. There will be around 400 qualifying competitions. There will be seven regional finals, with the winners going forwards to the national championship at Stoneleigh, September 17th, 18th and 19th.

Showing
The British Show Hack, Cob and Riding Horse Association final sponsored by Kbis in 1998 was a glamorous evening. The winner of the Riding Horse Championship was Charles Le Moignan riding Ivy’s Dream. In 1999 Kbis is sponsoring the Riding Horse Series and Championship, September 10th and 11th.

Kbis is continuing its commitment to encourage riders from a young age with its sponsorship of the National Pony Society Mountain and Moorland Leading Rein Championships at Malvern, August 4th and 5th

Horse Trials
For the third year Kbis is sponsoring the West of England horse trials novice championships to be held at Wessex, Taunton on September 26th. An accumulator prize of £500 worth of insurance is awarded to the horse gaining the most points throughout the series. The current leader is Chaos ridden by last year’s winner Helen West, closely followed by Mary King and King Richard.

An L of a good Brand

In issue one of Uncovered we introduced the "L" brand and this story highlights just what an important role it can play.

Winoski a ten year old who had previously raced on the flat was bought by Marilyn Worsfold for her daughter. During the spring of 1998 he became lame, Sesamoiditis was diagnosed. A complete recovery from this type of lameness was deemed unlikely. The Worsfold family had a difficult decision to make, either take the full insurance value of Winnie and have him humanely destroyed or go for loss of use and receive 60% of the value. They decided on the latter. One of the requirements for loss of use is the L brand freezemark.

Winnie was settled into a retirement home in the south west, however he, along with eight other horses, was stolen. Thankfully he was found some 48 hours later and taken to the Redwings Sanctury in Norfolk, were he is enjoying a happy retirement. Marilyn Worsfold says: "I believe the freezemark he was given, arranged by Kbis, played a major part in his identification. We are just so relieved to know he is safe."