London Olympia isn’t the biggest venue, or the easiest to get to – navigating horse boxes around the outskirts of the capital, and squeezing into a diminutive stabling area and bijou collecting ring are all part of the challenge for the competitors – so why is the London International Horse show, affectionately known as Olympia, such a popular event?
An equestrian party
Described as ‘the UK’s best Equestrian Christmas Party’, it welcomes over 80,000 visitors every year and boasts a popular Shopping Village with over 200 trade-stands – it is no wonder so many people do their Xmas shopping here, with some just coming on a shopping ticket, instead of watching the competitive action too! The atmosphere is completely unique, and very intimate – very much like a party, with well-known comperes who (with the exception of the dressage events) positively encourage cheering, clapping and enthusiastic behaviour. Importantly, it is a family show with very many children in the audience, and a lovely Christmassy feel.
Olympia is increasingly becoming a multi-discipline international event as well, with FEI World Cup Carriage Driving recently joining the Show Jumping and Dressage legs of World Cup events that are already favourites here.
Equestrian displays
There are also various equestrian displays to enjoy, and favourites such as The Shetland Pony Grand National, The Kennel Club Dog Agility and The Christmas Finale, which has a Circus theme this year. Many of our favourite British show jumpers first attended Olympia as part of the Finale as children, usually with the Pony Club, which perhaps gave them a taste for the Big Time later on in life.
World Cup action beckons
The highlight of the show today (Saturday 22nd Dec) is the seventh leg of the Western European League of the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping series, now it its 35th season.
Riders from 16 leagues from all continents take part in qualifying competitions (or legs) like this one before the 2012/13 final, which takes place in Gothenburg, Sweden next April. The defending champion is America’s Rich Fellers, riding Flexible.
Australia’s hopes are pinned on the brilliant Edwina
All eyes will be on Australia’s Edwina Tops-Alexander today, who with the diminutive 16 year old Cevo Itot, took Geneva by storm when they won the recent sixth leg of the World Cup series (the pair’s second World Cup win) in Switzerland. “To win the World Cup qualifier in such a tough class..... he is just fantastic!” said Edwina, now tenth in the rankings.
Today she rides Erenice Horta, and we will keep you posted on the pair’s success as the action unfolds here at Olympia!
