London International Horse Show: FEI World Cup, Christmas Show and World-Class Equestrian Sport

The London International Horse Show is one of Europe’s most traditional indoor equestrian events, combining international top-level sport with a distinctly British Christmas atmosphere. Over five days at ExCeL London, World Cup competitions in show jumping, dressage and four-in-hand driving come together with classics such as the Puissance, the London Grand Prix and the Shetland Pony Grand National.

The history of the event dates back to 1907. Many equestrian fans still know the show as the Olympia London Horse Show, as it was held in the legendary Olympia venue for decades. Since 2021, ExCeL London in the east of the British capital has been the home of the event. The 2026 edition will take place from 17 to 21 December 2026.

London International Horse Show at a glance

The London International Horse Show is an international indoor equestrian event featuring FEI World Cup™ qualifiers in three disciplines. At the centre of the programme are the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup, the FEI Dressage World Cup and the FEI Driving World Cup.

Event: London International Horse Show
Venue: ExCeL London, London, United Kingdom
Time of year: traditionally in December shortly before Christmas
2026 dates: 17 to 21 December 2026
Disciplines: show jumping, dressage and four-in-hand driving
Further highlights: Puissance, Six Bar, London Grand Prix, youth sport, Shetland Pony Grand National and shows
Character: international indoor event and traditional Christmas horse show

The World Cup competitions are spread across several days. Dressage traditionally features early in the programme, while jumping and driving dominate the weekend. The London Grand Prix is one of the major highlights at the end of the show.

Livestream on ClipMyHorse.TV

You can watch the London International Horse Show live on ClipMyHorse.TV, including international World Cup sport.

The London International Horse Show as a Christmas classic

Few international equestrian events are as closely associated with the Christmas season as the London International Horse Show. For decades, the show has been a fixed part of the festive calendar for many British equestrian fans.

The sporting level is high, but London is not defined by World Cup points and Grand Prix results alone. Christmas decorations, show elements, shopping opportunities and family-friendly entertainment create an atmosphere that is clearly different from a conventional international competition weekend.

That is why the event is also frequently searched for as the London Christmas Horse Show. Sport and entertainment have never been separate concepts here; both have been part of the event’s identity since its early years.

Today, ExCeL London provides significantly more space than the former venue. Alongside the International Arena, there are additional areas for competitions, shopping and live formats.

Longines FEI Jumping World Cup in London

The Longines FEI Jumping World Cup in London is one of the sporting highlights of the event.

London is a leg of the Western European League of the FEI Jumping World Cup. The series runs through several major indoor shows in Europe and leads towards the World Cup Final. Riders therefore compete not only for a prestigious win, but also for valuable qualification points.

The course is set at CSI5*-W level and demands scope, precision and quick decision-making from both horse and rider. Fault-free combinations qualify for the jump-off, where fractions of a second can make the difference between victory and a placing.

London’s World Cup history goes back a long way. The first FEI Jumping World Cup qualifier was added to the former Olympia programme in 1979. Since then, Olympic champions, World Champions and World Cup Final winners have all been successful in London.

In 2025, Max Kühner won the London World Cup with EIC Cooley Jump The Q. It was Austria’s first victory in the class since Thomas Frühmann in 1989.

FEI Dressage World Cup in London

Dressage is also an established part of the London International Horse Show.

The FEI Dressage World Cup consists of a Grand Prix and the decisive Freestyle to Music. The best combinations from the Grand Prix qualify for the Freestyle, where Grand Prix movements are presented to individually selected music and choreography.

London offers a particularly distinctive atmosphere. Spectators sit close to the arena, react immediately to strong performances and create the kind of energy that is typical of top-level indoor dressage.

The Dressage World Cup has been part of the London International Horse Show programme since 2004.

In 2025, Lottie Fry and Glamourdale dominated the World Cup competition. The British pair won both the Grand Prix and the Freestyle. In the Freestyle, they scored 89.17 percent and successfully defended their London title from the previous year.

Dressage has also been expanded in recent years, with younger horses and up-and-coming talent gaining more opportunities to compete in London.

FEI Driving World Cup in London

The third FEI World Cup at the London International Horse Show belongs to the four-in-hand drivers.

Indoor driving is very different from the traditional outdoor marathon. In a compact arena, drivers guide their teams at high speed through gates, obstacles and tight turns. Penalties for knocked elements can change the result within seconds.

The FEI Driving World Cup has been part of the London programme since 2013.

Some of the most successful four-in-hand drivers in the world compete there regularly. Names such as Boyd Exell, IJsbrand Chardon, Bram Chardon and Koos de Ronde are closely linked with the international indoor World Cup circuit.

In 2025, IJsbrand Chardon won the London Driving World Cup and successfully defended his title from the previous year. The combination of speed, precision and close proximity to the crowd makes driving one of the most spectacular parts of the show.

Puissance, Six Bar and London Grand Prix

Alongside the World Cup competitions, the London International Horse Show features several classes that have become traditions in their own right.

Puissance

The Puissance is one of the best-known competitions at the London show.

Rather than a full course, the focus is primarily on height. After each clear round, the fences are raised until only a few combinations remain. The centrepiece is the imposing Puissance wall.

The roots of this format go back to early high-jump competitions in equestrian sport. In London, the Puissance remains one of the biggest crowd favourites.

Six Bar

In the Six Bar, horse and rider jump a line of fences set in a straight row. After each clear round, the difficulty is increased.

The format is easy to understand and creates particular excitement in a large indoor arena.

London Grand Prix

The London Grand Prix is traditionally one of the final major sporting highlights.

While the FEI Jumping World Cup offers important points for the international series, the Grand Prix has its own significance within the event. It often provides the big sporting finale of the show and attracts a correspondingly strong field.

Programme and special highlights

The London International Horse Show combines international top-level sport with an extensive supporting programme.

Alongside dressage, jumping and driving, CSI5* jumping classes are held throughout the event. The programme also includes the Puissance, the Six Bar and the London Grand Prix.

The Shetland Pony Grand National also has a permanent place. Small Shetland ponies and young jockeys race in front of a large crowd, and the class has become one of the show’s best-known entertainment features.

Dog Agility, international show performances and various masterclasses also regularly form part of the programme.

At ExCeL London, the event has been able to expand its offer further. In addition to the International Arena, there is another arena for showing classes and additional competitions. A Shopping Village and live formats complement the sporting programme.

The exact content changes from year to year, but the basic concept remains the same: world-class sport, British equestrian tradition and Christmas entertainment within one event.

International world-class sport in London

The exact entries for the London International Horse Show change every year. The sporting level, however, remains consistently high.

In dressage, Olympic medallists, World and European Champions and international Grand Prix winners have all competed in London in recent years. The jumping classes likewise attract riders from the top of the world rankings.

The strong connection with the British public also gives leading home riders a special role. British victories in London are celebrated accordingly.

Well-known names associated with the event over the years include Nick Skelton, Scott Brash, Harry Charles, Carl Hester, Charlotte Dujardin and Lottie Fry.

World and European Champions are also regular competitors in the driving classes.

As a result, the London International Horse Show remains a meeting point for the international elite even without a permanently fixed entry list.

Results and notable winners

The London International Horse Show results change with every edition. For an evergreen article, the most useful information is therefore the latest winners and some of the names that have shaped the event.

FEI Jumping World Cup

2025: Max Kühner won the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup in London with EIC Cooley Jump The Q. Donald Whitaker and Millfield Colette finished second, while Cian O’Connor and Chatoulinue PS took third.

FEI Dressage World Cup

2025: Lottie Fry and Glamourdale won the World Cup Freestyle with 89.17 percent. The pair had already won the Grand Prix with 80.78 percent.

FEI Driving World Cup

2025: IJsbrand Chardon won the Driving World Cup ahead of Dries Degrieck and successfully defended his London title.

Historically, numerous international top athletes have added their names to the winners’ lists. The current London International Horse Show results are published during the event via the official timing and results services.

ExCeL London as the venue

Since 2021, the London International Horse Show has taken place at ExCeL London.

The major exhibition and events centre is located in the London Docklands in the east of the British capital. The venue offers significantly more space for arenas, stabling, shopping, hospitality and additional competitions than the former location.

For equestrian sport, ExCeL also offers another practical advantage: stabling, warm-up areas and the International Arena are relatively close together.

The venue is also well connected to London’s public transport network.

For search intent, this is particularly important: people searching for ExCeL London Horse Show are generally looking for today’s London International Horse Show.

From Olympia London Horse Show to ExCeL London

Many fans still know the event as the Olympia London Horse Show.

There is a historical reason for this. The first International Horse Show in London opened at Olympia in 1907. The event quickly developed into a major social and sporting occasion.

After several interruptions, equestrian sport returned permanently to Olympia in 1972. From then on, the show became a firm fixture on the international calendar for decades.

The later FEI World Cups were also established there:

• 1979: first FEI Jumping World Cup qualifier
• 2004: introduction of the FEI Dressage World Cup
• 2013: introduction of the FEI Driving World Cup

The event could not take place in 2020 because of the pandemic. At the same time, redevelopment work at the Olympia complex made a return difficult for the following years.

The show therefore moved to ExCeL London in 2021.

Today, anyone searching for Olympia London Horse Show or London Olympia Horse Show is usually looking for the same traditional event, now officially called the London International Horse Show and held at ExCeL London.

Tickets, travel and visiting the show

Tickets for the London International Horse Show are available for different days and sessions.

Depending on the programme, there are afternoon and evening sessions. Visitors who specifically want to see the Dressage World Cup, Puissance or Jumping World Cup should check which session includes the relevant competition before booking.

Standard grandstand tickets are available alongside a range of hospitality and VIP options.

As prices, seating categories and programmes can change from year to year, it is best to check the organiser’s latest information before booking.

ExCeL London is located in the Royal Docks and is well connected by public transport. On busy event days, travelling by train or public transport is usually the easiest option.

Frequently asked questions about the event

What is the London International Horse Show?

The London International Horse Show is a traditional international indoor equestrian event in London. The programme includes FEI World Cup qualifiers in jumping, dressage and four-in-hand driving, as well as the Puissance, London Grand Prix and various shows.

When does the London International Horse Show take place?

The London International Horse Show traditionally takes place in December shortly before Christmas. The 2026 edition will be held from 17 to 21 December 2026.

Where does the London International Horse Show take place?

Since 2021, the event has been held at ExCeL London in the Royal Docks in east London.

Is the London International Horse Show the same as the Olympia London Horse Show?

Yes. The London International Horse Show was held at Olympia London for decades and was therefore often called the Olympia London Horse Show. Since 2021, the event has taken place at ExCeL London.

Which disciplines are featured at the London International Horse Show?

The main disciplines are show jumping, dressage and four-in-hand driving. FEI World Cup qualifiers are held in all three disciplines.

Is there an FEI Jumping World Cup in London?

Yes. The Longines FEI Jumping World Cup in London is part of the Western European League and one of the major competitions of the London International Horse Show.

Is there a Dressage World Cup at the London International Horse Show?

Yes. The FEI Dressage World Cup consists of a Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle and is traditionally held early in the event.

Is there a Driving World Cup at the London International Horse Show?

Yes. The FEI Driving World Cup for four-in-hand drivers has been part of the London International Horse Show programme since 2013.

What is the Puissance at the London International Horse Show?

The Puissance is a high-jump competition in which the fences are raised after each successful round. The large Puissance wall is the best-known element of the class.

What is the London Grand Prix?

The London Grand Prix is one of the major international jumping competitions of the event and traditionally forms one of the sporting finales of the London International Horse Show.

Where can I watch the London International Horse Show live?

International competitions from the London International Horse Show can be watched via ClipMyHorse.TV and FEI.TV. Which classes are additionally shown on British television can vary from year to year.

Where can I find London International Horse Show results?

The London International Horse Show results are published during the event via the official timing and results services. Current start lists and results for individual classes are also available there.

Who won the London Jumping World Cup in 2025?

Max Kühner won the 2025 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup at the London International Horse Show with EIC Cooley Jump The Q.

Who won the Dressage World Cup in London in 2025?

Lottie Fry and Glamourdale won the 2025 FEI Dressage World Cup Freestyle in London with 89.17 percent and had also won the Grand Prix.

Who won the Driving World Cup in London in 2025?

IJsbrand Chardon won the 2025 FEI Driving World Cup at the London International Horse Show and successfully defended his victory from the previous year.

Are tickets available for the London International Horse Show?

Yes. Tickets are available for different days and sessions. As the most popular competitions can sell out early, booking well in advance is recommended.

Why is the London International Horse Show special?

The London International Horse Show combines more than a century of equestrian tradition with three FEI World Cups, international jumping classes and a distinctive Christmas-show atmosphere. Historically, the event is closely linked with Olympia London, while today it takes place at ExCeL London.