Advertisement Feature
This year’s Olympia Horse Show (15-21 December) audience will be treated to masterclasses from dressage stalwart Kyra Kyrklund and British Olympic gold medal winner Laura Tomlinson.
Finnish dressage rider Kyra (pictured above) has an impressive series of accolades to her name; she has competed in five Olympic and FEI World Equestrian Games, taking silver in 1990 with Matador, and winning the 1991 World Cup Finals in Paris. One of the world’s most highly respected and accomplished trainers, Kyra has been nicknamed ‘The Great Communicator’ for her ability to teach in English, German, Finnish and Swedish. Audiences have a rare chance to witness these training skills on Tuesday 15 December when Kyra will be assessing and guiding an aspiring young grand prix rider.
Don’t miss out on your chance to pick up tips from this dressage star – see below for an exclusive Horse&Hound discount!
On the evening of Wednesday 16 December, Laura Tomlinson (pictured above) will be returning to Olympia to give audiences the benefit of her gold medal-winning experience. Laura was part of the gold medal-winning team in London 2012 with Mistral Hojris and, since his retirement at Olympia in 2013, has been concentrating on bringing on her young horse Unique. Tomlinson’s masterclass will provide the perfect insight into her training techniques, focusing in particular on how to deal with a difficult competition environment.
Thrilling International Displays
Alongside world-class dressage competition and masterclasses, Olympia will be hosting two thrilling international displays. The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment will be returning to the show with their much-loved musical ride that includes high speed cross overs and their iconic flag charge out of the arena. Audiences will be treated to a ride of both skilled military precision and ceremonial splendour.
Internationally renowned horseman Jean-François Pignon will be demonstrating the unique bond he has with his horses in a beautifully choreographed performance of trust and intelligence. It is a display which has to be seen to be believed.
Firm Olympia favourite The Shetland Pony Grand National will also be returning to provide audiences with all the excitement of a traditional horse race in minature. Make sure that you cheer these pint-sized ponies and their young jockeys home!
Olympia Dressage Grand Prix Ticket Offer
Horse&Hound readers get an exclusive 30% discount on Tuesday 15 evening performance to watch Kyra Kyrkland’s unmissable masterclass plus the Reem Acra FEI World Cup dressage grand prix. Book your tickets online www.olympiahorseshow.com or through the box office 0871 230 5580 and quote the code ‘HHTue’ to receive your discount.
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
-
‘Faith in the human race restored’ for Olympic rider after road bike fallThe eventing legend thanked all those who came to his aid after a different type of fall to those he may have been used to
-
Build your own equestrian Advent calendar, with budget swaps and options for childrenWe’ve made the process simple
-
‘If you’ve got one that’s lovely and soft, you’re already on the back foot’: Laura Tomlinson on piaffe, the new stretch circle and what dressage should rewardOn the latest episode of The Horse & Hound Podcast, Olympic gold medallist Laura Tomlinson asks whether dressage scoring matches the sport’s focus on softness – and what she hopes judges will look for when the new grand prix stretch circle arrives in 2027
-
The Horse & Hound Podcast 182 with Laura Tomlinson: ‘He’s giving me all the right vibes for future success’Oscar Williams caught up with Laura Tomlinson after her recent success at the nationals and HOYS, this podcast episode sponsored by FMBs Therapy Systems
-
‘Why should showjumpers have all the fun?!’ Zara Tindall joins gold medal-winning eventers for London arena eventingThe London International arena eventing entries provide a stellar line-up for the first running of this class
-
Classes dropped from final day of London International – what riders and spectators need to knowA new-look timetable for the London International Horse Show at Excel London has resulted in a shake-up of Monday's classes
-
‘I always seem to end up with massive horses’: over 18hh eight-year-old won over all three judges to take the HOYS Future Elite dressage titleOlympic gold medallist Laura Tomlinson won the Dressage Future Elite Championship at HOYS for the second time in three years, on Ostmarks Digal, who came from the same German yard as her former top ride, Rose Of Bavaria
-
Back from the brink: young rider recovering from intensive cancer treatment qualifies for London with pony a year after lifesaving colic surgeryDylan Ward and McFlurry earned their London International Horse Show ticket at their second affiliated competition
-
No 128cm showjumping finals at major spectator shows in new safeguarding plansThe 128cm showjumping finals will be instead held at the national and spring championships from 2029
-
Rising equine stars to join glittering dressage line-up in LondonThe London International Horse Show dressage offering is bigger than ever this year