Britain’s top ten show jumpers* have been invited to jump at one of the world’s most popular horse shows and the UK’s favourite Christmas venue, Olympia International Show Jumping Championships, London 18th-22nd December 2003.

The No. 1 family in British show jumping, the Whitakers, will make up over 30% of the British field with Michael, John and Robert Whitaker all securing invitations. Britain’s official No.1, Robert Smith is on the invitation list along with Andrew Davies, Nick Skelton, Will Funnell, Paul Barker and Keith Shore.

Together with representatives from nearly every European country, as well as the USA and Brazil, they have been invited to compete in front of the 70,000 strong audience in a selection of ten exciting jumping classes, over the five days of the show. The most prestigious and lucrative class is the UK’s only World Cup Qualifier, which this year takes place on Sunday, 21st December. The show offers the biggest prize fund of all the European World Cup Qualifying shows (£234,000) and will be televised by the BBC and Eurosport.

Olympia combines world-class show jumping and edge-of-the-seat family entertainment with a fabulous diversity of shopping in the new, two-tier Olympia Shopping Village. The only indoor horse show to be held in London, Olympia has two performances each day. Each performance includes displays from the circus, dressage to music, dog agility, The King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery’s Musical Drive, The Flying Frogs – three incredible leaping French men and the Shetland Pony Grand National.

This year, for the first time in its 32-year history, Olympia has also added an extra night to the show, on Wednesday 17th December. The organisers have created an evening dedicated to Dressage, to celebrate the sport’s medal-winning year and the enormous popularity that dressage now enjoys.

There will be eleven performances at Olympia from Wednesday, 17th December – Monday 22nd December. To book telephone the box office on 0870 733 0733 (00 44 115 912 9220 for international visitors) or visit the web site at www.olympiashowjumping.com. Tickets start from as little as £15 with concessions for Children 15 and under and Senior Citizens at certain performances. Tickets for the Gala Dressage Evening range from £9.00 to £21.60 and can be booked via the box office. For Private Boxes please call Jane Charley on 01753 847900.

* As listed on the current (30th September) BSJA riders ranking list

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