World number ones head to Olympia

Olympia is set to welcome the leading showjumper in the world as well as the most successful dressage partnership in history.

World record

Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro are back to defend their 2013 title in the FEI World CupDressage, which will be the first time the pair has competed in the UK this year.

The talented duo not only won the World Cup Grand Prix and Freestyle at last year’s London International Horse Show, but they set a new Freestyle world record.

“I am very excited about taking Valegro to Olympia this year,” said Charlotte. “I can’t wait to do my new floor plan in front of the home crowd.

“I actually think it is harder than my Olympic routine and so if I can get it right on the night I could possibly beat the world record I set last year. But obviously saying it and doing it are two very different things.”

Olympia debut

Hoping to keep Charlotte off the top spot will be Edward Gal, who had to settle for second place last year. Joining Edward from the Netherlands will be Danielle Heijkoop and Hans Peter Minderhoud, who will be riding Glock’s Johnson on whom he won team bronze medal at the World Equestrian Games (WEG).

Another WEG combination at Olympia will be Carl Hester and Nip Tuck, who won team silver.

Spencer Wilton – who is making his Olympia debut – will compete on Numberto, Nikki Crisp rides her own mare Passoa and Hannah Biggs will compete on the stallion Weltzin.

The Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage takes place 16–17 December.

World beaters

This will be followed by five days of world-class showjumping, including the Puissance, the Longines FEI World Cup and the Olympia Grand Prix on the final day (22 December).

Entries for the CSI5* show include world number one Scott Brash, number three Marcus Ehning (GER), Maikel van der Vleuten and Jur Vrielin(NED) who won team gold at WEG, individual WEG team silver medallist Kevin Staut (FRA) and this year’s World Cup final winner Daniel Deusser (GER).

In total, 11 of the world’s top 20 showjumpers are due to compete in London next month.

Irish star

Irish wunderkind Bertram Allen will also be competing on Molly Malone, hoping to repeat his performance in Verona where he won the fourth leg of the World Cup.

No Olympia would be complete without the Whitaker dynasty present and this year welcomes Michael, John, Robert and William. Also competing on home turf will be Spencer Roe, Joe Clee, Guy Williams and Laura Renwick, who will be looking to defend her Leading Rider title from last year.

Also hoping for a back-to-back win will be Olympia Grand Prix winner, Ben Maher.

World Cup Driving

In addition to the dressage and showjumping is the FEI World Cup Driving. This year seven of the world’s leading drivers will compete, including current World Champion Boyd Exell (AUS), and last year’s Olympia winner, IJsbrand Chardon (NED).

IJsbrand also won gold at WEG earlier this year, and his team mates Theo Timmerman and Koos de Rond will be joining him at Olympia.

Representing Britain as a wild card is Daniel Naprous, who combines four-in-hand carriage driving with a career in stunt riding and driving. The driving competitions take place on 18–20 December with the final held on the Saturday evening performance.

For more information and to buy tickets visit Olympia Horse Show’s website.