Olympia, the London International Horse Show has extended its relationship with the BBC to provide planned coverage of the world-renowned show for the next four years.
The planned coverage will run from 2016 to 2019 inclusive, including broadcast on the BBC of the major classes including the Longines FEI World Cup™ Show Jumping qualifier and the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage to music. The broadcast agreement comes at a significant time for UK equestrian sport prior to the 2016 Olympics.
Olympia has been broadcast on the BBC since its inception in 1971. During that time viewers have been treated to thrilling performances from a variety of top class riders from around the world including team GB gold medalists Scott Brash, Ben Maher and Nick Skelton. The nail biting Alltech Puissance remains a highlight for many and has allowed viewers to witness heights of over 7ft being jumped as horse and rider combinations battle it out for victory.
Olympia Commercial Director, Jonathan Goold, said: “This is great news for Olympia and Equestrianism in general. The BBC and Olympia have a long-standing relationship and I am delighted that BBC viewers will continue to be able to see the best international Dressage and Show Jumping riders in the world competing at Olympia”.
Barbara Slater, Director BBC Sport, said: “We’re pleased to be continuing our relationship with Olympia. It is always a great event in the run up to Christmas, showcasing top class Show Jumping and dressage with some of the best riders in the world, along with the festivities and special events that make the show so special. With the 2016 Rio Olympics coming up, this is a great showcase for some of the best of Olympic sport for our audiences.”
For more information and for details on the TV Schedule for this year’s show, please contact Gayle Telford, Revolution Sports + Entertainment
E: gayle@revolutionsports.co.uk or T: +44 (0)207 592 1207
Olympia, The London International Horse Show
The first international horse show took place in the Olympia halls in 1907. Olympia, The London International Horse Show, the event we see today, was started by Raymond Brooks-Ward in 1971. This year’s show takes place on 15-21 December 2015 in the Olympia Exhibition Hall, located in West Kensington London. The show will play host to a packed timetable of all things equestrian and is expected to welcome over 90,000 visitors. It is regarded as one of Europe’s oldest and most prestigious equine competitions. The show mixes top class equestrian action, including FEI World Cup™ Jumping, Dressage and Driving with family entertainment, such as the Osborne Refrigerators Shetland Pony Grand National and The Kennel Club Dog Agility.