AN Oscar-winning performance is what North Yorkshire star equestrian Christopher Bartle hopes to produce at the Bramham International Three Day Event at Bramham near Wetherby, starting on Thursday, June 11.

Bartle, the Badminton Horse Trials champion from Markington, Harrogate, has entered to ride Mrs Anne Henson's horse Oscar.

Some of the world's leading riders and horses will be competing, with entries from 13 countries including New Zealand, France, the United States, Sweden, Australia, Greece and Poland.

Britain's other main contenders for glory include former Bramham winner Ian Stark, riding Jaybee, and Mary King with King William.

New Zealander Mark Todd, who was runner-up to Bartle at Badminton, will ride Stunning, while Todd's fellow Kiwi Andrew Nicholson has entered Padre Noitre and Whit Monday.

Australian Andrew Hoy, last year's winner at Bramham, will be defending the title on Buckley Province, a winner at Burghley when ridden by Nicholson.

The American challenge is headed by David O'Connor, on Giltedge, and Bruce Davidson, who has entered with Man of Stars and Step Aside. Davidson will be joined for the first time at a British event by his son Buck, riding Broadstone Harvest Moon.

A strong contingent from Europe has swelled the number of competitors to 126.Capt Mark Phillips has made some significant changes to the cross country course he designed last year.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.