Your Tips for London International Horse Show

[HollyWoozle]

Good morning!

I am off to London International for the Thursday afternoon performance, with a friend, but haven't been in years (tickets were a Christmas gift). I would love to hear your tips and advice please! In particular any thoughts on:

- I believe the PM performance starts at 12 but that we can access the shopping village all day... is there much to look at and buy if you've not got much to spend? Is it worth getting there a bit early?
- We have badges for the Taittinger champagne bar but will I need to sell a vital organ to afford drinks?
- We'll be coming on the train, using the Elizabeth Line to Custom House (it's a non-strike day so I hope will be OK)
- Is it usually cold inside the venue?

I've tried reading all the FAQs etc. but some insider info would be great. If I understand correctly then should be able to take water in with us, provided it is in plastic bottles.

Thank you very much!

 

[shortstuff99]

You can access the shopping all day, there is loads of shopping at the Excel and easier to look at then at Olympia.

There is a whole range of shops from cheap to expensive. Food a bit pricey.

Don't know about the bar as I didn't go in last year.

Was warm inside last year

 

[Skib]

Shopping is good there. Because of the wide choice and being able to try on (especially hats and bps) or feel.
I bought my expensive long boots, properly fitted, and my stirrup leathers there.
The big retailers may offer cheaper and more expensive versions, e.g. of a dressage jacket from a particular brand so one can try them on and compare sizing and price. So then if it comes to buying mail order, you know the size and model you need.
There are also "sale" stalls selling off discontinued designs. I bought my big winter Musto jacket there cut price.

Please note that I went to watch the dressage every year till Covid but have not been since. Nor to the current venue.

 

[Gallop_Away]

Sorry to hijack....

Does anyone know if the puissance will be on bbc red button/iplayer as normal on Thursday evening? X

 

[shortstuff99]

Yes it is.

 

[Gallop_Away]

Yes it is.

Lovely! Thank you ?

 

[Afon_34]

Cant answer of your questions but just to say that we're going this year for the first time in a few years (used to go every year at old venue) not been to new venue but heard good things about it so looking forward to it, hope you have a lovely time too!

 

[Surbie]

I went last year, so to the new venue and on the tail end of pandemic lockdowns and tbh the shopping was rubbish. High priced paintings, sculptures and £5k saddles. There were a few larger tack stands selling ordinary things, but they were rammed.

I haven't been to the old venue, so I don't have anything to compare it to. But the shopping at Hickstead is much better imo.

 

[irishdraft]

I went last year & enjoyed it. I must admit some of the well known brands weren't there shopping wise but plenty to look at. If you want a glass of tattingers I think it was £14.00 .? We went in & had a coffee it's next to the warmup ring .

 

[HollyWoozle]

Coffee is probably more to my budget! Thanks for these helpful replies.

@George_William hope you have a great time too!

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I'm going on the Monday night not been in years so looking forward to it.

 

[DressageCob]

I have tickets for Friday evening but not sure if I'm going. It's a bit of a way out of central London and I'm not sure about travelling back to Kings Cross on my own at 11pm. If I can't sell the tickets I might go for a couple of hours or something.

 

[Bobthecob15]

Went last year, also been to old Olympia ? can go shopping any time from 9.30 am.

Venue is warm! I'm leaving my coat in the Hotel we are staying at nearby, just taking a jumper.

Shopping wasn't amazing last year...there were some tack shops...BUT because of covid it was really unclear if it would go ahead or not till last minute so I think a lot of the companies didn't risk booking stands. I think it will be better this year, seen lots of companies saying they are going so fingers crossed.

Didn't go near the bars so can't say...however the viewing area for warm up is brilliant so definitely check that out!

For food there are lots of outlets BUT there was very little seating...so if you want to eat there plan where you are going to eat and go earlier so you can sit down. Odd that the seating was so limited. There were big queues too for food In the main aisles.

There was a pretty good atmosphere in the show ring, we didn't move once we sat down as the schedule was so packed!

I really liked it, much more spacious than old olympia and felt easier to get around.

Elizabeth line is 2 mins walk, super easy to get to. Lucky you we are going Friday night so no trains...having to drive from Herefordshire ?

 

[HollyWoozle]

Great info, thanks @Trakky14! I'm sorry to hear you have to drive, hopefully will be less icy by then.

 

[Bobthecob15]

Great info, thanks @Trakky14! I'm sorry to hear you have to drive, hopefully will be less icy by then.

hope so! We are giving ourselves lots of time to get there ?

 

[Bernster]

Anyone driven yet and know what the roads are like? I’ll be coming from Herts so down the a1 and m25 which should be ok I hope!

 

[Bobthecob15]

Anyone driven yet and know what the roads are like? I’ll be coming from Herts so down the a1 and m25 which should be ok I hope!

Not yet but they will be fine, bar the usual crashes/delays etc on the M25!! They will be clear and no forecast for new snow!

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Anyone driven yet and know what the roads are like? I’ll be coming from Herts so down the a1 and m25 which should be ok I hope!

I think they are ok oh uses both to get to work and back he didn't go in Monday but was fine yesterday and today.

 

[ester]

There was less shopping last year than usual (though there always was some random expensive stuff!) but I do think that was partly covid/stock issues. I know the treehouse guy said at Blenheim he wasn’t going as the hat suppliers couldn’t guarantee stock to take and he couldn’t afford the high £ to go without that.

 

[Bobthecob15]

There was less shopping last year than usual (though there always was some random expensive stuff!) but I do think that was partly covid/stock issues. I know the treehouse guy said at Blenheim he wasn’t going as the hat suppliers couldn’t guarantee stock to take and he couldn’t afford the high £ to go without that.

Yes it wasn't clear till quite late on if we would even be able to go with the covid regulations I remember, can't blame companies for not wanting to book stands in case

 

[Bobthecob15]

List of shops! https://londonhorseshow.com/london-international-horse-show-shopping-exhibitors/

Definitely more than last year!

 

[Bionic Boy]

I am volunteering there so have been there today. The roads are fine to drive on.
It was warm in there today so will definitely be warm when filled.
It was looking good ?

 

[chaps89]

Anyone driven yet and know what the roads are like? I’ll be coming from Herts so down the a1 and m25 which should be ok I hope!

Came down that way on Monday and round towards excel yesterday and no weather related traffic issues

 

[Bernster]

Thx for the travel reports everyone! Off tmrw afternoon ?

 

[FluffyIrishPony]

Help! Does anyone know how to see which trains are actually running tomorrow? Flying into Gatwick early a.m. and I can't figure out if it will be possible to get train(s) to the Excel or not?! National rail enquiries planner thing is apparently up to date for tomorrow but seems to just be showing all trains with a disclaimer that it might be showing a service for a different day due to strikes, which is unhelpful!

 

[HollyWoozle]

We successfully made it yesterday and had a wonderful time. The journey was surprisingly easy but it was a non-strike day and some other trains were cancelled but we got away with it, although with delays both ways due to various issues (no doubt caused by the weather). The seats were half empty which was such a shame when we got to see the likes of Lottie Fry, Ingrid Klimke, Carl Hester (not riding), Laura Collett, Amy Woodhead, Gareth Hughes etc. I expect other days to be busier but we didn't have to queue for too long for anything like drinks, toilets and so on.

A few thoughts:

- shops were nice and with some great Christmassy bits, but not loads of variety. We swept around them all within 40 minutes or so (and didn't buy anything)
- as expected, drinks are pricey. A glass of Taittinger in their bar and brasserie is £15.75 this year. We had a glass of Pinot Grigio instead and watched some of the riders warming up - it does have a great view of the warm-up arena
- there are a lot of loos and unless desperate, I would ignore the portaloo types near the arena and go out into the hall way and find some of the ones downstairs
- it was well-heated but not overly warm. I had fleece-lined trousers and a cashmere jumper on whilst watching the dressage, but my Mum kept her coat on
- the bottled chardonnay all the stands are selling was better than I had expected (but £7.50 a pop), you can take it in plastic cups into the arena (boo for plastic but it's your only option)
- it really is VERY easy from Custom House station on the Elizabeth Line and wasn't a slippery walk thankfully
- we had falafel and halloumi wraps from the seller in the 'winter market' and they were delicious, I asked the guy there to make them "extra delicious" just for fun and I believe he did. They were something like £10.50 each though
- you can take plastic bottles into the building and I took a big bottle of water with me for the day which I was pleased about

@FluffyIrishPony yesterday the National Rail website did seem fairly accurate, but even though it wasn't a train strike day there were still quite a few trains cancelled or delayed with short notice. Are you going straight to the event or presumably to a hotel or something first?

 

[FluffyIrishPony]

We successfully made it yesterday and had a wonderful time. The journey was surprisingly easy but it was a non-strike day and some other trains were cancelled but we got away with it, although with delays both ways due to various issues (no doubt caused by the weather). The seats were half empty which was such a shame when we got to see the likes of Lottie Fry, Ingrid Klimke, Carl Hester (not riding), Laura Collett, Amy Woodhead, Gareth Hughes etc. I expect other days to be busier but we didn't have to queue for too long for anything like drinks, toilets and so on.

A few thoughts:

- shops were nice and with some great Christmassy bits, but not loads of variety. We swept around them all within 40 minutes or so (and didn't buy anything)
- as expected, drinks are pricey. A glass of Taittinger in their bar and brasserie is £15.75 this year. We had a glass of Pinot Grigio instead and watched some of the riders warming up - it does have a great view of the warm-up arena
- there are a lot of loos and unless desperate, I would ignore the portaloo types near the arena and go out into the hall way and find some of the ones downstairs
- it was well-heated but not overly warm. I had fleece-lined trousers and a cashmere jumper on whilst watching the dressage, but my Mum kept her coat on
- the bottled chardonnay all the stands are selling was better than I had expected (but £7.50 a pop), you can take it in plastic cups into the arena (boo for plastic but it's your only option)
- it really is VERY easy from Custom House station on the Elizabeth Line and wasn't a slippery walk thankfully
- we had falafel and halloumi wraps from the seller in the 'winter market' and they were delicious, I asked the guy there to make them "extra delicious" just for fun and I believe he did. They were something like £10.50 each though
- you can take plastic bottles into the building and I took a big bottle of water with me for the day which I was pleased about

@FluffyIrishPony yesterday the National Rail website did seem fairly accurate, but even though it wasn't a train strike day there were still quite a few trains cancelled or delayed with short notice. Are you going straight to the event or presumably to a hotel or something first?

Thanks, that sounds great. I'm very excited - I've always wanted to go to Olympia, so when my daughter asked to go I couldn't say no!

We're going to check into the hotel first, but it's walking distance from the Excel luckily. My back-up plan from Gatwick is a taxi or hire car if we're desperate but it does look like they are running a limited number of trains so hopefully won't have to!

Those falafel and haloumi wraps sound fab, I'll definitely be checking them out! Sadly I won't be able to partake of too much wine/champagne since I'll be with my 11 year old, but I'm sure we can make do with some festive hot chocolate instead!

 

[ecb89]

What’s the temperature like in there. Don’t want to wear lots and then have to carry it around

 

[SO1]

I was thinking of going early on Monday to see the MnM championship and look round the shops but concerned about Covid risk if lots of people.

I really don't want to get Covid so close to Xmas especially as I felt really unwell when I had it back in July. I suppose I could wear a mask which reduces the risk.

 

[ester]

What’s the temperature like in there. Don’t want to wear lots and then have to carry it around

It's warm! I wore my big coat and hat on Thursday and sacked if off for a thin packable one yesterday.

Extra tip, some of the loos are down some stairs (they have an arrow under the sign) during normal levels it's not worth using them but if it's during a break it's prob worth the trip down the stairs.

The churros are a lot better than the waffles.

I always take a rucksack of food and drink (especially the latter), especially now not training it to actual olympia and lugging stuff around. Driving in you're not actually that far from your car (I'm still not quite sure how!) so trips back are feasible if needed.

They have errd towards combining final prize presentation and the finale in one, because there is nothing better than terrifying the showjumpers with a bunch of elves. (Elf having clearly never been near a horse attempting to hand back a dropped rosette was amusing). They didn't do with the dressage horses though ?