London Horse Show 2024

[Jambarissa]

I haven't been to this since it was Olympia but I've just booked so there's something to look forward to.

The program looks pretty much the same, what's the shopping like? Any demos or talks or such? Anything not to miss?

 

[shortstuff99]

Shopping is pretty good and easier to look round than before as it is a bigger area. There is also a second arena in the shopping area which has demos and showing classes in.

 

[94lunagem]

I went last year for the first time since Olympia and we enjoyed it. We went on the Thursday dressage day, arrived late morning - ate, shopped, champagne barred and ate again, then evening performance.

There is more room in the shopping area than Olympia, and I guess with not going on a peak day it wasn't as busy as it might have been. I find the shopping anywhere these days is the expensive brands more so than the 'proper' tack shops where you used to be able to bag a real bargain. But I guess times move on and demand changes.

As above, there is a second area at the end of the shopping hall with demos and showing classes. There is seating on the far side but I'm not sure if that was open to all or part of a ticket.

Food was ok, plenty of choice and there is seating in the concourse between the shopping side and the main arena side.

We drove, it was really easy and came straight up the escalator onto the main concourse.

I think I have seen (I'm not good at reading e-mails properly) that Lorenzo has been announced as a main arena display this year, which I will look forward to. I remember seeing him at HOYS and Olympia when I was little.

 

[ester]

certainly on some days the seating is ticketed for the 2nd arena but you can watch on the other sides.

The main thing to do is not turn up too late for parking, they have a lot but it seems it struggles once evening people start arriving but afternoon people are still there. As you pay for 24h its worth just going for most of the day whichever session you are watching there are other parking options locally but I've always parked on site.

 

[asmp]

Be aware of when you leave too. A couple of years we drove there and left after the afternoon performance but it was the Friday before Xmas and we spent about an hour just going a couple of miles heading towards the m25.

 

[Jambarissa]

I have just been looking at driving v. the train. Driving cheaper, a little faster, prob more comfortable. But this last comment from @asmp and I've booked the train

Can get snacks and wine for the train (back!).

 

[Jambarissa]

I'm going on the Friday afternoon, we'll only get there for 12 due to the train but no rush back so still time for browsing.

There is an odd second show jumping class, Services Championship, after an hour long break. Is that an actual class or an awards ceremony or similar?

Looking forward to it, so close to Christmas, can get myself lots of presents.

HOYS first though!

 

[teapot]

I'm going on the Friday afternoon, we'll only get there for 12 due to the train but no rush back so still time for browsing.

There is an odd second show jumping class, Services Championship, after an hour long break. Is that an actual class or an awards ceremony or similar?

Looking forward to it, so close to Christmas, can get myself lots of presents.

HOYS first though!

An actual class/final for those serving in the forces, police etc to compete who qualify throughout the year