World’s best head for Olympia

Germany’s Olympic gold medal-winning team; Ludger Beerbaum, Lars Neiberg, Otto Becker and Marcus Ehning of Team Ericsson, who are all ranked in the world’s top 10, are set to compete at the Olympia International Show Jumping Championships (14th-18th December).

Competitors from 11 nations have been nominated to take part, with 15 of Britain’s leading riders, including John and Michael Whitaker and Geoff Billington; Tim Stockdale of the Traxdata Team and Di Lampard.

Young Irish rider Cameron Hanley will be enjoying his first competitive outing at the Christmas event, following his best season on the circuit to date, which saw him win the King George V Gold Cup and the Dublin Grand Prix.

Italian rider Jerry Smit, a class winner at Olympia last year is set to return, following the most financially rewarding year of his career to date.

In June, Smit became only the second rider in history to win two Pulsar Crown competitions and in doing so netted a bonus of more than £400,000.

Last year’s winner of the Young Show Jumper of the Year competition, 17-year-old Robert Whitaker, son of John, graduates to the top level this year with a full invitation to the show, allowing him entry to compete in the big money classes.

Liz Edgar makes her return to the Christmas show this year after an absence of a decade.

There will be 10 performances at Olympia from Thursday 14 December – Monday 18 December. The box office can be contacted on 0870 848 0000 or visit the web site at :www.olympiashowjumping.com

Tickets are priced from £11 with concessions for groups, seniors and children