CHRISTMAS means ... OLYMPIA!!
The most perfect way to get into the Christmas spirit is to treat yourself to a visit to the LONDON INTERNATIONAL HORSE SHOW, held from Tuesday 13th to 19th December at Olympia London.
Seven days of top equestrian competition featuring the worlds top show jumping and dressage stars is liberally peppered with fun and thrills for all ages, from the speed and nimbleness of the country's best agility dogs to the grace and nobility of the Lusitano stallions from Portugal.
Father Christmas brings the Christmas Spirit to Olympia London.
British rider Laura Bechtolsheimer, who won Individual Bronze and Team Gold medals at the World Equestrian Games with her great horse Mistral Hojris earlier this year will be competing in the FEI World Cup qualifier.
Lorenzo The Flying Frenchman will also be entertaining the crowds throughout the week.
The Shetland Grand National is a firm favourite with old and young alike and has been the training ground for many of our top jockeys including James Crowley, Sam Twiston-Davies and eventer Francis Whittington.
For many, the climax of the week is the Rolex FEI World Cup show jumping qualifier, a competition which attracts the best riders not only from Europe but from all over the world whilst for others the highlight is looking for that last minute present in the huge shopping village which caters for horsey and non-horsey people alike!
Can Michael Whittaker, seen here winning last years World Cup qualifier on GIG Amai, defend his title against the worlds best.
International course designer Bob Ellis directs show jumper Robert Smith to the best buys in the Shopping Village.
For more details visit www.olympiahorseshow.com.
Read the reports from Olympia on-line at www.thejoyofhorses.com/olympia2011.
EVEN BETTER NEWS...
Next year The Joy Of Horses will once again be bringing you excellent, up to the minute, coverage from the United Kingdom's biggest and best equestrian events, including racing reports from Ascot, Aintree and Cheltenham, eventing from Badminton and Burghley, show jumping from Hickstead and dressage from Hartpury.
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