London International Horse Show, a hallmark of equestrian Christmas entertainment, returns to ExCeL London from December 13–18 with a spectacular, action-packed schedule. The show, which will welcome over 80,000 visitors, provides enjoyment for all the family, with the top 10 things to look forward to detailed below.
The Two Charlottes: Britain’s golden girls of Dressage, Charlotte Fry and Charlotte Dujardin, head the list of entries for the 2023 FEI Dressage World Cup™ presented by Bret Willson Dressage International Ltd and supported by Horse and Hound. 2022 double FEI Dressage World Champion, Fry, will be looking to reclaim the titles that she won at the Show last year, when she took home both the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Grand Prix and the Freestyle to Music. However, Fry’s teammate, Dujardin, the joint most decorated British female Olympian, will be hoping to round-off an exceptional 2023 with a home win.
Brilliant Ben: Great Britian’s reigning Olympic Champion, Ben Maher, tops a stellar list of entries for the CSI5* Show Jumping. He will be joined by individual silver medallist from Tokyo and team World Champion, Peder Fredricson, the 2023 FEI European Champion, Steve Guerdat, and last year’s Leading Rider of the Show, Jodie Hall McAteer, all of whom will be hoping to claim the pinnacle classes of the Show the Longines FEI World Cup™ Qualifier and the London Grand Prix.
A New Arena: The ‘New Horizon Plastics London Arena’ will showcase the finals of a brand-new Showing Series, additional Kennel Club Dog Agility classes, the LeMieux Masterclass series and The Brilliance Horse Auction.
Showing Stoppers: The finals of the London International Showing Series, with 23 different classes plus their Championships, covers everything from Hacks and Cobs to Cradle Stakes and Coloured Ponies. The series focuses on bringing Showing to a wider audience and includes amateur home-produced competitors.
Jumping Jockeys: The ever-popular Markel Jockeys Jumping in aid of The Injured Jockeys Fund class returns to London International on Monday 18 December. This unique class sees two teams of five world-class racing jockeys, put their Show Jumping skills in aid of the Injured Jockeys Fund. The 2023 teams, who have over 16,000 winners between them, will be captained by the legendary Sir Anthony ‘AP’ McCoy, a 20-time Champion Jump Jockey and the most successful jump jockey of all time, and Tom Scudamore, third generation of the famous Scudamore Racing dynasty who has an impressive 1,499 winners over jumps and 12 on the flat throughout his career.
A Fancy Dress Party: The Fancy Dress Relay on Sunday’s ‘Party Night’ sees pairs of riders from all areas of the equestrian community compete against each other wearing outrageous Pantomime themed fancy dress costumes. The evening will be rounded off in the Champagne Taittinger Bar with a ticketed After Party, where you can join in the fun and dance the night away as riders and officials let their hair down.
The Live Zone: Not to be missed for those who love getting up-close to their favourite riders and influencers and listening to advice from their sport’s industry gurus. Highlights of the week include interviews with London International Horse Show Ambassadors Lottie Fry, Harry Charles and Jodie Hall McAteer, as well as the hugely popular influencers Harlow Luna White and ThisEsme.
Shop Till You Drop: The Shopping Village is back and better than ever. Those looking for last-minute Christmas gifts will have plenty of options from over 220 retailers on-site selling a wide range of goods. From equestrian focused brands such as LeMieux and Voltaire Design, to luxury fashion from Holland Cooper and award-winning food and drink from The Oxton Liqueur Company, there really is something for everyone!
Fast paced entertainment: Show classic, the thrilling Defender Shetland Pony Grand National will feature in the International Arena from Thursday 14 to Monday 19 December, as will the Kennel Club Dog Agility. To add to the line-up there are two amazing equestrian displays, The Portuguese Lusitanos, and one of the most exhilarating sights of British pageantry – the Musical Drive of the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery.
Driving Crazy: The adrenaline-fueled Extreme Driving supported by Karen and Hugh Scott Barrett will take place on Thursday 14 December, with the FEI Driving World Cup™ taking centre stage on Friday 15 and Saturday 16 December. Three out of the top five FEI ranked World Four-in-Hand drivers will be in attendance, including multiple London International Horse Show winner and world No.1, Boyd Exell, who will be hoping to repeat his victory from last year. The Australian has recently claimed both the FEI Driving World Cup™ titles in Lyon and in Maastricht.
Exell commented on the Show: “Competing at London International Horse Show is like driving at home. I know a lot of people in the crowd, they all come to support me and send messages, which adds to the pressure, but I love being here. It is one of my favourite shows. The atmosphere is like nowhere else!”
Dutch driver, Ijsbrand Chardon, is another previous winner in this year’s field. At 62 years of age, he will be hoping to use all of his skill and experience to improve on his son, Bram Chardon’s second place at the Show last year. Compatriot and multiple Championship medallist, Koos De Ronde is another who could challenge for the top places. Making a welcome return to London International Horse Show is Germany’s Mareike Harm, who returns to competition following the birth of her daughter in February this year.
Home favourite Daniel Naprous is sure to set the crowds in the International Arena alight with his performance in the FEI Driving World Cup™ whilst Belgium’s’ Glenn Geerts, and Germany’s Georg von Stein round off this year’s entries.
A complete list of International entries at the London International Horse Show 2023 is available here.
Livestreaming information here.
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