The ever popular BSPS Ridden Mountain and Moorland Championship will once again be a highlight at this year’s Olympia, The London International Horse Show (17th – 23rd December).
Preliminary judging will take place on Sunday 23rd December at 10am, which will be followed by the Championships in the afternoon Olympia Horse Show performance. 40 competitors will be showcasing horses of some of the finest native breeds. The class consists of 4 Connemaras, 3 Dales, 2 Dartmoors, 2 Exmoors, 5 Fells, 4 Highlands, 3 Welsh A’s, 5 Welsh B’s, 4 Welsh C’s, 4 Welsh D’s, 2 Shetlands and 1 New Forest.
Last year’s winner Louise E. Maxwell with Rushford Bailey (Dartmoor) is not returning to Olympia to defend her title, however, Jonathan Stevens with Waterside Black Prince (Dales) who came second in 2011 will be back to try and better his result. Tower Clyde (Highland) is also returning to the show this year but with new rider Gemma Standford. Rider Richard Telford is hoping to win a medal this year with three rides for Mr W.R Ireland, Kilmannan Black Magic (Dales), Kilmannan Robert the Bruce (Dales) and Carlung Lewis (Highland).
Olympia, The London International Horse Show is celebrating 40 years of world class equestrian sport this year. The seven-day equestrian extravaganza kicks off with the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage Qualifier on Monday 17th December (Grand Prix) and Tuesday 18 December (Freestyle to Music). Jumping classes start on Wednesday 19th December and highlights include the Alltech Christmas Puissance (Thursday 20th December’s evening), The Rolex FEI World Cup™ Qualifier presented by H&M (Saturday 22nd December’s afternoon) and The Olympia Grand Prix on the evening of Sunday 23rd December. New to the proceedings this year is the Extreme Driving FEI World Cup which will see the world’s best four in-hand drivers battling it out for the title on the evening of Wednesday 19th December and the afternoon of Thursday 20th December.
Olympia favourites, The Kennel Club Dog Agility, The Shetland Pony Grand National and the Christmas Finale will feature every night at the Show, excluding Monday 17th December.
Tickets for Olympia, The London International Horse Show, are on sale now and can be purchased by ordering online at www.olympiahorseshow.com or by telephoning the box office on 0871 230 5580. Those wishing to watch the preliminary judging for the Mountain and Moorlands in the morning should purchase a Sunday afternoon performance ticket. Tickets are priced between £19 and £57 with various discounts available for groups, seniors and children.
