PLANS FOR SEIB/BEF YOUNG HORSE EVALUATION SERIES GET OFF TO A GOOD START

Response to the announcement of the first BEF Young Horse Evaluation series has thrilled sponsor South Essex Insurance Brokers. "Our confidence in the series has been justified at this very early stage," said managing director Barry Fehler.

The series, designed to improve the quality of British sports horses and give leading riders the quality mounts to win Olympic titles, involves a nationwide series of Evaluation tests for four-year-old registered with recognised British breed societies. These will be held at a number of centres around the country in Spring next year. The championship, at a venue yet to be announced, will be divided into classes for young event, dressage and showjumping horses.

"Many people have already been in touch promising support and entries," said working party chairman Richard Meade. "and there is general recognition that the scheme is the first step towards improving the overall quality of our horses. Many breed societies are also expected to donate special awards for their highest-placed registered horses."

Mr Fehler said: "It is exciting that so many other people share our confidence and that South Essex Insurance Brokers is part of something that will have such a good and far-reaching influence on British breeding."

As the main sponsor SEIB is also sponsoring the special awards for the Most Promising Event Horses, which will be awarded at all the venues including the final Championship as will the awards for the Most Promising Dressage Horses (sponsored by Genus Equine) and the Most Promising Showjumpers (sponsored by New Priory Stud).

Venues and dates for the six qualifying shows are

Saturday 23 February College EC, Bedfordshire
Sunday 3 March Heart of England EC, Staffordshire
Wednesday 10 April Osbaldeston EC, Lancashire
Sunday 14 April Towerlands EC, Essex
Thurday 25 April West Wilts EC
Saturday 27 April Rowallan EC, Ayrshire Scotland

The SEIB/BEF Young Horse Evaluations are administered by the Supporters of British Breeding on behalf of the BEF. Full details and entry forms will be available shortly from Helen Hulse, YHE Secretary, Centrelines, Potter Hill, Collingham, Newark, Notts NG23 7PZ