WHAT TO EXPECT AT THIS YEAR’S OLYMPIA, THE LONDON INTERNATIONAL HORSE SHOW
The first International Horse Show took place in the Olympia halls in 1907. Olympia, The London International Horse Show, the event we see today, was started by Raymond Brooks-Ward in 1972. This year’s Show will take place on 16-22 December 2019 in the Olympia Exhibition Hall, located in West Kensington, London. The Show will play host to a packed timetable of all things equestrian and is expected to welcome over 90,000 visitors. It is one of Europe’s oldest and most prestigious equine competitions. The Show mixes top class equestrian action, including FEI World Cup™ Jumping, Dressage and Driving with family entertainment, such as The Saracen Horse Feeds Shetland Pony Grand National and The Kennel Club Dog Agility.
With less than a week to go, here’s what you can expect at the 2019 edition of the Show:
Elite International Competition
The seven-day extravaganza will include three FEI World Cup™ events in Dressage, Jumping and Driving, all of which will feature the world’s best equestrian athletes. The action will begin with the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Grand Prix supported by Horse & Hound on Monday 16 December, featuring Britain’s illustrious Olympic Champions, Charlotte Dujardin CBE and Carl Hester MBE. The FEI World Cup™action continues on Friday 20 December with the opening leg of the FEI Driving World Cup™ presented by Eurofip International before the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ on Saturday 21 December.
The Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ will host seven of the world’s top ten show jumpers, including the top two ranked riders in the world, Swiss compatriots Steve Guerdat and Martin Fuchs. Adding to the excitement of the class will be British stars Ben Maher and Scott Brash, who will be sure to have the crowd behind them, as they look to score a second consecutive home victory.
In addition to the FEI World Cup™ events, top class international show jumping highlights include the Cayenne Puissance on Wednesday 18 December and the Longines Christmas Cracker on Friday 20 December, culminating with one of the most eagerly anticipated events of the week, the Turkish Airlines Olympia Grand Prix on Sunday 22 December.
Dressage Unwrapped
On Monday 16 December, the brand-new ‘Dressage Unwrapped’ masterclass will take place at Olympia, The London International Horse Show. The innovative and inspirational event will involve three of Britain’s most celebrated dressage riders, Carl Hester, Gareth Hughes and Richard Davison, sharing their secrets of the technical discipline with the Olympia audience.
Over the course of ninety-minutes, they will uncover all aspects of dressage including; producing, training and managing dressage horses, with some help from their celebrity equestrian friends. They will also discuss the pressures of competition and what it takes to compete at the highest level. The crowd will be exposed to rare insight as each rider shares the tricks of the trade and their own unique experiences.
Olympia Live Zone
The hugely popular Live Zone is returning to the Show and will give spectators the opportunity to meet their favourite riders, as well as interact with some of the world’s most influential equestrian stars. A detailed Live Zone schedule is available below, however exact timings are subject to change.
LIVE ZONE SCHEDULE:
| Monday 16 December | |
| 15.30 | Meet a Dressage Judge |
| TBC | Interview with Charlotte Dujardin and Carl Hester’s Groom Alan Davies |
| Tuesday 17 December | |
| TBC | Interview with Dressage Champions Carl Hester & Charlotte Dujardin |
| TBC | Meet & Greet with Olivia Towers |
| TBC | Hurlingham Polo Association – interview with Laura and Mark Tomlinson |
| Wednesday 18 December | |
| 11.30 | Interview with a Dog Agility Trainer |
| Afternoon Interval | Interview with a Shetland Pony Grand National jockey |
| 17.30 | Meet & Greet with Kate Lewis (Blob the Clob) |
| 18.00 | A Show Jumper’s Guide to the Puissance |
| Evening Interval | Interview with Show Jumper Harriet Nuttall |
| Thursday 19 December | |
| 11.00 | TBC |
| 11.30 | TBC |
| 12.15 | Meet & Greet with Teddy the Shetland |
| 2pm (Afternoon Interval) | Interview with top British Carriage Driver Dan Naprous |
| TBC | Interview with Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment |
| 16.30 | Interview with The Urban Equestrian Academy, presented by the Tim Stockdale Foundation |
| 17.15 – 18.00 | Meet & Greet Elphick Event Ponies, Life on the Left Rein & EMD Eventing |
| Evening Interval | Meet & Greet with Teddy the Shetland |
| Friday 20 December | |
| 11.00 | Interview with a Shetland Pony Grand National jockey |
| 11.45 | Interview with an U25 Show Jumper (Name TBC) |
| 12.15 | Meet & Greet with Teddy the Shetland |
| Afternoon Interval | Meet & Greet with This Esme |
| 16.30 | Interview with Ben Maher |
| 17.00 | Meet & Greet with Teddy the Shetland |
| 17.30 | Interview with Markel Jockeys Jumping Coaches |
| 18.00 | Meet & Greet with This Esme |
| Evening Interval | Interview with International Show Jumping family Tina, Olli and Will Fletcher |
| Saturday 21 December | |
| 11.30 | Interview with an Olympia Commentator |
| 12.00 | Meet & Greet with This Esme |
| Afternoon Interval (2pm) | Meet & Greet with Gracie Tyte |
| TBC | Interview with Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment |
| 17.00 | Meet & Greet with Gracie Tyte |
| 18.00 | Meet & Greet with This Esme |
| 19.00 | Meet & Greet with Diary of a Dun |
| Sunday 22 December | |
| 11.30 | Interview with Show Jumper Joe Stockdale |
| 12.00 | Meet & Greet with Lily Chandler & Jess Hewlett |
| Afternoon Interval | Meet & Greet with This Esme |
| 16.30 | Interview with a 5* Show Jumping Groom (Name TBC) |
| 17.15 | Interview with a Shetland Pony Grand National jockey |
| Evening Interval | Meet & Greet with This Esme |
*Please note dates and timings are provisional and subject to change
The Markel Jockeys Jumping in aid of the Injured Jockeys Fund
The highly anticipated return of the Markel Jockeys Jumping in aid of the Injured Jockeys Fund, will be one of the main attractions for Friday evening’s ‘Race Night’ on 20 December. The format will see an all girls’ team, captained by Bridget Andrews, go head-to-head with an all boys’ team captained by the legendary Sir AP McCoy, who will be coming out of retirement for the night.
Shopping Village
As well as watching the arena action, spectators will have the chance to visit the extensive Shopping Village at Olympia which boasts over 250 shops, showcasing the latest equestrian and lifestyle fashion, design and innovation. Whether it be riding clothing, equipment or luxury products such as jewellery and home décor, the Shopping Village at Olympia will have it.
Spectators can also expect…
Boosting what is already a jam-packed week of competitive action and entertainment will be the season finale of The Saracens Horse Feeds Shetland Pony Grand National, the Kennel Club Dog Agility and several National Championships, including The Voltaire Design Under 25 Show Jumping Championship and The BSPS Ridden Mountain and Moorland Championship sponsored by LeMieux.
The iconic Musical Ride of The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment will be performing daily, demonstrating remarkable horsemanship and impeccable precision and coordination, as will the incredible horse whisperer, Jean-François Pignon. The showman is set to perform his new ‘Black and White’ display, featuring eight white and six black mares, for the first time in the UK, and is bound to leave the crowd mesmerised with his unique skills.
To purchase tickets for Olympia, please visit www.olympiahorseshow.com or telephone the box office on 0871 230 5580.
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