Strong field of British riders heading for Olympia

The nominated entries for the London International Horse Show at Olympia (13-19 December) have been revealed with a strong field for the home nation in both dressage and jumping.

Boosted by the British team’s recent historic European gold medal triumph in Rotterdam, team gold and individual silver medalist Carl Hester and Uthopia are expected to spearhead the 10-strong British challenge in the Reem Acra FEI World Cup dressage qualifier, supported by Horse & Hound, on Tuesday 13 December, and the freestyle to music on 14 December.

Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro, who also won European team gold this year, will be making their Olympia and World Cup debut, while Laura Bechtolsheimer has entered both her European gold medal-winning partner Mistral Hojris and her current British national champion Andretti H.

International nominated entries include Hans Peter Minderhoud and his stallion IPS Tango from the Netherlands, currently third in the World Cup standings, German European team bronze medallist Helen Langehanenberg and her horses Damon Hill and Responsible, and compatriot and Olympia first-timer Anja Plonzke and Le Mont D’Or.

The showjumping classes get underway on Thursday 15 December, with the Rolex FEI World Cup jumping qualifier, presented by H&M, taking place on Sunday. Sixty-one competitors from 17 nations have been nominated to compete including seven riders from the top 10 of the FEI’s world rankings.

The top class international field includes Edwina Alexander from Australia, Belgian Jos Lansink, plus French riders P ©n ©lope Leprevost and Kevin Staut. They will be doing battle with Britain’s Scott Brash, William Funnell, Ben Maher, Laura Renwick, Nick Skelton, Robert Smith, Guy Williams, John Whitaker, Robert Whitaker and last year’s Olympia Rolex FEI World Cup winner Michael Whitaker.

Tickets are still available but performances are filling up quickly, so book now to avoid disappointment. Call the ticket office on 0871 230 5580, or book online.

View the full timetable of events