Olympia tickets.

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

Just managed to get tickets for the Puissance. Never managed to do that before.

(now need to work out how to get there quickly enough from school!!!)

[Abbicob]

I love the annual Olympia trip. We are going to the Sat afternoon as I love to watch the quadrille.

I also have a real soft spot for Geoff Billington - child hood hero who is a commentator

[Butkin]

We go to HOYS and Olympia. Very different sorts of events. HOYS is for people who love hard core showing or show jumping. We adore it but kids could get bored.

Olympia is a show split with an interval. Everything happens in bite sized pieces - even the show jumping - and is very theatrical. Kids love it! (and parents do....)

Shopping is great at both although you get more really horsey stuff at HOYS.

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

snap Pixel!

[Pixel]

I find it really hard not to get all choked up during The First Noel.

[Disasterpiece]

I know and if you look at their position its brilliant still, their feet look like they are in stirrups.

Id say Olympia is better for children but HOYS is better for watching showing with a few displays thrown in.

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

It is definitely festive fun molliemoi :) especially at the end when they get all schmalzy with father Christmas coming in on a sleigh and loads of horses and riders also come in and then everyone sings 'The First Noel'

its lovely :)

That video is amazing. They look so natural without a saddle.

[molliemol]

Just watched that puissance video- incredible. Am thinking of taking my dds to HOYS. Wondering now if Olympia would be better- festive fun!

[Disasterpiece]

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

oh wow!! that sounds very exciting! I am new(ish) to horsey stuff, developing my interest since dd started riding a few years ago.

[Pixel]

I don't think they are allowed to do it now, elf and safety and all that. I'm talking quite a few years ago as I was with my mum and dad! We had seats over the collecting ring so the riders were jumping towards us and we couldn't even see them until they appeared over the wall!

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

bareback puissance?

good luck pixel :)

[Pixel]

I'd love to go on different days some time and see M&Ms etc but it's a bit too far. Coach trips always seem to be on saturday so that most people can manage it. We have gone on different days before on the train but it means the whole day and late back and it's hard to find someone to have ds. He likes horses and we take him to Hickstead with us but the noise and crowds of Olympia would be just too much for him.
I remember pre-dcs seeing the bareback puissance which was very exciting!

[Disasterpiece]

I havent been for years but have fond memories of going when I was younger.

At the time there was about 6 mums, all with their own horses, all midwives working together with daughters all the same age (within 2-3 years) who all had horses.

All 12 of us used to go down on a coach and stay for the whole thing in a hotel. So much fun.

I was never allowed days off school for holidays but was for horse shows lol.

[Pixel]

Just had a text to say tickets are available with livery yard coach trip now! Must get name down quick, am all excited.

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

It really does feel like the christmas holidays are starting when you go doesnt it!

Mind you, last year we ended up staying at the hilton because of the snow. the previous year we had to leave early because of the snow. I hope this year the weather is a little more cooperative!

Just told dd. she is very excited!!

[Butkin]

Puissance night - Friday - will be great. We always go on the Monday so we can see the M&Ms as well as 6 Bar and the Finale. DD loves it.

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

It is great we normally go to the last day which is utterly ace but the puissance tickets go so quickly.
dh says he is going to take the afternoon off to run us up in the car. How lovely of him :)

[Saggyoldclothcatpuss]

Well done. It's a great day out. Start saving now, the shopping village is great!