Kevin Staut (FRA), currently world number one in the Rolex rankings; Pius Schwizer (SUI) (4); Rolf-Göran Bengtsson (SWE) (5); Denis Lynch (IRL) (7); Edwina Alexander (AUS) (8); Pénélope Leprevost (FRA) (9), and Jessica Kürten (IRL) (10) have all been included in a star-studded list which has 26 of the world’s top 50 short-listed for attendance.
Britain’s nominations include current British number one and two, Ben Maher and Guy Williams, plus Michael, John, Ellen and Robert Whitaker; Peter Charles; Tim Stockdale; Robert Smith; Laura Renwick; Tina Fletcher; Scott Brash and David McPherson.
So far, 61 competitors from 17 Nations have been invited to attend the Christmas Show, which always proves to be a big hit with riders.
Kevin Staut said: "I love the ambience and atmosphere at Olympia."
Fellow countrywoman Pénélope Leprevost agreed.
"The speed classes are so much fun and the public are fantastic," she said. "I’m looking forward to bringing Mylord Carthago, Myss Valette and Belle Dame with me."
Edwina Alexander commented: "I really love Olympia because there is such a great atmosphere which is often very hard to create at shows. People always seem to take the time to come and watch; probably because it’s so festive. There’s always a full house and the audience really appreciate everything.
“I will be taking Ciske Van Overis, an eigh-year-old mare previously ridden by Guy Willams. She has had many good results this year and I think she has a lot of potential. I will also be taking Cevo Socrates who is my other top horse beside Itot Du Chateau. He has had a good break and I’m really looking forward to getting him back into the game."
The Netherlands' Albert Zoer added: "I like the big classes with jump-offs. The atmosphere at Olympia is super, the people are really nice and it really has that Christmas feeling. Normally Sam and Uraguay will be the horses coming with me."
The Brits are also complimentary about their favourite Christmas Show.
Laura Renwick said: "Every time you enter the arena at Olympia, it’s such a great atmosphere and it’s an amazing chance to compete against some of the world’s best in the sport. Right now my plans are to bring Oz de Breve, an eight-year-old gelding; Beluga, a nine-year-old mare, and Rollercoaster, a nine-year-old gelding."
Robert Smith will be bringing Talan, Balourado and one other. He said: "Of course my favourite classes are the Rolex FEI World Cup and the Olympia Grand Prix. Olympia is so special because it is quite simply the best indoor show in the world with a great atmosphere at Christmas time."
Another who said Olympia was his favourite show is Scott Brash. The young Brit said: "I love Olympia, it’s my favourite show and with it being at a great time of year, the atmosphere is fantastic."
Peter Charles hopes to add some Olympia success to his Christmas list.
“I’m bringing Murka’s Rubert R, Murka’s Nevada and one other," he said. "I’d like one to win the Olympia Grand Prix, one to win the Rolex FEI World Cup qualifier and one to win the Alltech Christmas Puissance!"
Christmas wishes
Speaking of wishes, with Olympia signalling the start of the Christmas celebrations, we asked the riders what hey want for Christmas this year. Here are some of their answers:
Kevin Staut: "The latest Blackberry phone - the Blackberry Torch."
Pénélope Leprevost: "There’s nothing in particular I would like....I am happy like that."
Edwina Alexander: "I would like to have some well deserved rest, some champagne, and many Santa wishes for a successful year in 2011."
Albert Zoer: “"Nothing special – I just hope everybody around me is happy and healthy."
Laura Renwick: "All I want for Christmas is health and happiness and for our son Jack to have a wonderful day. Christmas is all about the kids."
Robert Smith: "A Chinese Vase – I’m searching the attic now!"
Scott Brash: "Cheryl Cole!"
Olympia, The London International Horse Show, features five days of show jumping from 16-20 December. The full list of show jumping nominations is below. Definite entries will be confirmed on 3 December.
London Olympia 2010, Nominated Entries - Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping presented by H&M
Australia
ALEXANDER, Edwina
Austria
PUCK, Gerfried
Belgium
BRUYNSEELS, Niels
DEMEERSMAN, Dirk
HEMERYCK, Rik
Denmark
TRUELSEN, Karina Rie
Finland
FAGERSTROM, Nina
FORSTEN, Mikael
France
DELAVEAU, Patrice
DELESTRE, Simon
EPAILLARD, Julien
GUILLON, Olivier
LEPREVOST, Pénélope
ROBERT, Michel
STAUT, Kevin
Great Britain
BRASH, Scott
CHARLES, Peter
FLETCHER, Tina
MAHER, Ben
MCPHERSON, David
RENWICK, Laura
SMITH, Robert
STOCKDALE, Tim
WHITAKER, Ellen
WHITAKER, John
WHITAKER, Michael
WHITAKER, Robert
WILLIAMS, Guy
Germany
AHLMANN, Christian
BÖCKMANN, Gilbert
DEUSSER, Daniel
KNIPPLING, Andreas
KÜHNER, Max
MÜHLBAUER, Thomas
SLOOTHAAK, Franke
STEVENS, Mario
WEISHAUPT, Philipp
WULSCHNER, Holger
Ireland
BREEN, Shane
KÜRTEN, Jessica
LYNCH, Denis
O’CONNOR, Cian
TWOMEY, Billy
Italy
VIZZINI, Lucia
Netherlands
HOUTZAGER, Marc
SCHRÖDER, Gerco
SMOLDERS, Harrie
THIJSSEN, Leon
VLEUTEN, Eric van der
ZOER, Albert
Norway
GULLIKSEN, Geir
New Zealand
MCINTOSH, Samantha
Portugal
DINIZ, Luciana
Switzerland
GUERDAT, Steve
SCHURTENBERGER, Niklaus
SCHWIZER, Pius
Spain
CORDON MURO, Pilar Lucrecia
LEVY, Pascal
Sweden
BARYARD-JOHNSSON, Malin
BENGTSSON, Rolf-Göran
FREDRICSON, Peder
Ticket Information:
Tickets for The Olympia London International Horse Show are priced between £19.25 and £52.50 with various discounts available for groups, seniors and children. Tickets include entrance to the Shopping Village but these can also be purchased separately without a show ticket for only £9. For further information and confirmed programme of events click here. For tickets, call the box office on 0871 230 5574
No comments:
Post a Comment