Santa and his elf, AKA power-duo Scott Brash and Ben Maher, winners of the Martin Collins Enterprises Pair Relay; Tiny jockeys and ponies race for the chance to win The Shetland Grand National
CHRISTMAS CHEER The Olympia Horse Show is widely known as “The Best Equestrian Christmas Party.” Taking place during the third week of December each year, the show’s atmosphere is certainly one of holiday cheer. Festive music, decorations, special Christmas-themed competitions, the champagne bar and the show’s fabulous Shopping Village all make Olympia the perfect place to kick off your Christmas holiday. Each evening, the show’s program concludes with the Christmas Finale, a Camelot-themed performance complete with knights, jousting and an appearance by Father Christmas himself. Trading in his eight reindeer for a team of gorgeous white horses, Saint Nick leads the crowd in singing Christmas carols, filling each attendee with Christmas cheer.
SAVE THE DATE The crowds that attend Olympia are impressive! The venue, which can accommodate 9,500 spectators each day, was completely sold out in 2015. Riders – especially those competing for the United Kingdom – love Olympia’s passionate, buzzing crowd. English rider Ben Mayer named Olympia, “the best show in the world,” and went on to say, “The show has been sold out every day. It’s great to see such a big following for the sport!”
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Tickets for the 2016 Olympia Horse Show (December 13–19) will go on sale in late April, so mark your calendar!
LONDON CALLING Did you know that the Olympia Horse Show is located just down the road from where William and Kate live? Olympia is actually named after the venue in which it is held. London’s gorgeous Olympia Conference Center is located in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea – at the end of Kensington High Street to be exact. This Central London location makes Olympia one of the best destination horse shows in the world. Book a hotel, explore London’s tourist attractions during the day, dine at Michelin starred restaurants nearby and spend evenings at the show. Olympia is served by a train and tube station directly outside it’s front doors, as well as several public buses, so taking time to explore the city is a breeze! Take a short ride to browse Kensington Palace, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the British Museum; tour St. Paul’s Cathedral and Dennis Sever’s House; enjoy the festive Christmas trimmings at the Kew Royal Botanical Gardens; and spend some high-end shopping time on Oxford and Regent Street.