Olympia, The London International Horse Show, runs from 16-22 December this year. It is one of the most important indoor equestrian events in Europe — is also the UK’s biggest equestrian christmas party!
Olympia is host to three FEI World Cups™ — one for showjumping, one for carriage driving and one for dressage. Over 85,000 people visit the show every year, making it a firm favourite in the equestrian calendar.
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There are 2 performances on most days, 1 in the afternoon and 1 in the evening. Each performance has a mix of equestrian competition, international displays and entertainment. For the first time in 40 years, The Andalusian School of Equestrian Art is coming to Olympia. This is an equestrian display to rival The Spanish Riding School. These beautifully trained Spanish horses will fascinate the Olympia audience with their high level of training, horsemanship and skills.
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The show has a fantastic Christmassy feel and entertains throughout each performance. This is enhanced by The Kennel Club Dog Agility competition — fast doggie races as they dash over obstacles, through tunnels and zigzag round posts — and The Shetland Pony Grand National with its pint-sized jockeys and ponies hurtling round a “Grand National” course. Finally each performance ends with The Olympia Finale. This year it’s “A Dickens of a Christmas”, complete with Scrooge and a special guest appearance from St Nicholas himself.
Visitors can make a day of their trip to Olympia and spend time before and after the show in the shopping village, home to 250 shops selling all manner of equestrian and Christmas goodies, from the very latest in kit and clothing to jewellery, clothing, homeware and delicious food.
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In addition, for a special treat, visitors can purchase a “warm up ring” ticket which takes them backstage, where they can see the riders warming up, watch the stewards at work and really get a feel for what it takes to put a show like this together.
Tickets start at £35 each and special discounts apply for children and concessions for certain performances. There are also private boxes available where visitors can watch the show in style.
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