London International Horse Show (Olympia) 2024

I had a great time. I haven't been since it was at olympia and the venue felt much better, certain easier to get to for me.

Did anyone else suffer with the lights in the shopping village? I'm not sure why but it made me so dizzy I gave up on shopping and had a (ridiculously expensive and small) drink instead.

I enjoyed the driving the most, I know nothing about it so can just enjoy the spectacle. I do find my mind goes to horse welfare much more than it used to. I could mention several things that made me uncomfortable but there was nothing exceptional.

I agree that it seemed quite short /rushed. The dogs in particular would have been good to see more of - although I appreciate its a horse show!

I'll be back next year.
 
Kadastorm said:
Love Scott’s mare. She is definitely one to watch in the future.
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Sorry I’m late to this.
Anyone else see his round during the World Cup on the Sunday afternoon??
I was there and the poor mare was very clearly unhappy yet no one seems to have mentioned it.
Was her boot falling off I wonder? She really had something off in her hind right I think it was if I mind right.
 
Did anyone else find the commentary on the SJing, on the BBC not live, a bit out-of touch? With all the issues around social licence and horse welfare I thought some of the comments were very out of touch, poorly explaining issues and making comme to that didn't really fit what you were seeing.

I thought the same last year watching the BBC footage and was wondering about writing to BS or the LIHS committee, not sure who's department it is.

I don't think the commentator, Andy??, needs replacing just an updated sheet of acceptable comments etc
 
YourValentine said:
Did anyone else find the commentary on the SJing, on the BBC not live, a bit out-of touch? With all the issues around social licence and horse welfare I thought some of the comments were very out of touch, poorly explaining issues and making comme to that didn't really fit what you were seeing.

I thought the same last year watching the BBC footage and was wondering about writing to BS or the LIHS committee, not sure who's department it is.

I don't think the commentator, Andy??, needs replacing just an updated sheet of acceptable comments etc
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I think it was Andy Austin, I never much like his commentating for the same reasons as you. I found it really awkward to listen to as well when he was (to me at least) really condescending at times to Nick Luck too who was clearly only trying to lighten the off-ish comments and jolly things along.

I really enjoyed the dressage commentary though, I recognised the voice as the lady that does Radio Badminton but can never remember their name!
 
MuddyMonster said:
I think it was Andy Austin, I never much like his commentating for the same reasons as you. I found it really awkward to listen to as well when he was (to me at least) really condescending at times to Nick Luck too who was clearly only trying to lighten the off-ish comments and jolly things along.

I really enjoyed the dressage commentary though, I recognised the voice as the lady that does Radio Badminton but can never remember their name!
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Bobby Hayler-Wright
 
IrishMilo said:
Andy Austin is my least favourite commentator, he's a proper know it all and comes out with the most ridiculous faux-outrage whenever a horse isn't wearing 3 bits and seven different martingales. He can also be really rude about some competitors riding styles.
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I tend to agree. He’s very into the breeding which is of no interest to the average viewer. He is also repetitive and so many horses are described as ‘ big and Powerful’ and not much else.Nick Luck tries very hard to make it accessible
 
Maddie Moo said:
I think there should be a game where you take a drink or have chocolate every time Andy says his favourite phrase“a little bitless bridle” 🤣
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Or that a horse is by Cornet Oblinsky. Did have a lesson with Andy years and years ago and it was excellent. I prefer his commentary to the Euro Sports chap but do find goes on a bit about the breeding.
 
I like Andy’s commentary- he knows horses, he knows the competitors and he knows the sport so he can offer useful observations to those who are interested in it beyond surface level.
If you go anywhere else in Europe you will find the breeding/ breeders being much more celebrated. Probably why we are leagues behind in this country when it comes to producing quality horses
 
Exactly had to listen to Ed Holloway at Geneva who offered nothing very insightful other than what he read on his notes. Couldn’t tell you why they were going 4 or 5 down a distance or why problems were occurring at a certain fence.

I was watching the racing yesterday and they were explaining every single bit of tack a horse had… which was mostly a racing snaffle.
 
I dislike Andy Austin’s commentary. He’s out of touch and often downright offensive. His comments about ‘French riders’ were dreadful. Would much rather have Jessica Kurtien or Frederik de Backer who are both entertaining and knowledgable.
 
lme said:
I dislike Andy Austin’s commentary. He’s out of touch and often downright offensive. His comments about ‘French riders’ were dreadful. Would much rather have Jessica Kurtien or Frederik de Backer who are both entertaining and knowledgable.
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I like Jessica or Alice.
 
TheMule said:
I like Andy’s commentary- he knows horses, he knows the competitors and he knows the sport so he can offer useful observations to those who are interested in it beyond surface level.
If you go anywhere else in Europe you will find the breeding/ breeders being much more celebrated. Probably why we are leagues behind in this country when it comes to producing quality horses
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lme said:
I dislike Andy Austin’s commentary. He’s out of touch and often downright offensive. His comments about ‘French riders’ were dreadful. Would much rather have Jessica Kurtien or Frederik de Backer who are both entertaining and knowledgable.
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These two quotes sum up my point, he's a good commentator in that he knows the show jumping etc but some of his comments are just not "on tone" considering the sport and social license to the point I don't think he is doing show jumping any favours, particularly as the LIHS is the one event the BBC shows each year.
 
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