excel horse show

Ever wondered why folks from Cornwall to Cumbria all point their boots toward excel horse show when talkin’ ‘bout top-tier equestrian shindigs? Well, mate, it ain’t just the fancy jumps or the posh tea tents—it’s the whole vibe. The excel horse show blends world-class dressage, showjumping, and even a dash of British eccentricity into one glittering spectacle. Unlike other events that feel like they’re stuck in the 1800s, this one’s got LED scoreboards, live-streamin’ action, and enough hay bales to build a castle. Honestly, if you’ve never felt your heart skip as a stallion clears a 1.6m fence under ExCeL’s glass roof, you ain’t lived. And yeah, it’s widely hailed as the best horse show in the UK—not just by us, but by riders, fans, and even those snooty judges from FEI.

Ah, the ol’ london international horse show—used to prance around Olympia like it owned the place (which, fair, it kinda did). But in 2021, the whole circus packed up its saddlebags and trotted east to ExCeL London. Yep, that’s right—when did the london international horse show move to excel? December 2021 was the big shift. And blimey, what a move it was! The new digs at ExCeL offered more space, better airflow (no more dusty nose from Olympia’s old carpets), and room for way more spectators. Plus, being near the DLR means you can ride in like royalty without gettin’ lost in Shepherd’s Bush. Since then, the excel horse show has only grown—bigger crowds, flashier sponsors, and even a pop-up pub that serves Guinness at 9 a.m. (don’t ask).

Alright, let’s talk brass tacks—how much’ll it cost ya to see the excel horse show up close? Ticket prices swing like a loose stirrup: general admission starts at around £25 GBP, while VIP packages (which include champagne, a meet-and-greet with Olympic riders, and a commemorative rosette that probably won’t fit your dog) can go up to £195 GBP. You can snag ‘em straight from the official site or through our mates at Riding London. Pro tip: book early. Last year, tickets sold out faster than a Shetland pony at a kids’ birthday party. And don’t forget—kids under 12 get in free on weekdays! So yeah, if you’re budgetin’ for a proper day out, £50–£80 GBP per person should cover entry, a pasty, and maybe a questionable souvenir hat.

The excel horse show ain’t just one thing—it’s a whole carnival of hooves and heart. From FEI Jumping World Cup qualifiers to para-dressage demos that’ll make you tear up faster than your nan at a wedding, there’s somethin’ for every kind of equestrian nut. Here’s a quick peek at what’s usually on the roster:

• International Showjumping Grand Prix – where fences get taller than your mortgage
• British Dressage Freestyle – think ballet, but with more manes
• Mounted Games – basically equestrian rugby meets chaos
• Young Horse Championships – future stars in tiny boots
• Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) Finals – second chances lookin’ mighty fine

Each segment of the excel horse show is carefully curated to showcase the full spectrum of British equestrian talent—and yeah, they even throw in a dog agility show just to keep things spicy.

If you’re headin’ to the excel horse show, keep your eyes peeled for these legends (and rising stars):

These folks don’t just ride—they command the arena. And during the excel horse show, they often bring their A-game (and their A-horses). Rumor has it Ben Maher once won a jump-off while sippin’ tea. Probably not true… but we like to think it is.

Lost your way? Don’t worry—excel horse show takes place at none other than ExCeL London, that massive glass-and-steel beast down in Royal Docks, East London. Address? Royal Victoria Dock, 1 Western Gateway, London E16 1XL. Easy peasy. Jump on the DLR to Custom House or Prince Regent, and you’ll see the place glowin’ like a spaceship full of ponies. Parking’s available (about £20 GBP/day), but honestly, the tube’s quicker—and you won’t have to wrestle your Mini Cooper through a herd of horseboxes. Pro move: check the Event page on Riding London for real-time transport tips and shuttle updates.

Now, this one’s a classic pub quiz banger: what channel is the equestrian olympics on in the uk? The short answer? BBC and Eurosport. During the Games, BBC usually broadcasts the big finals live, while Eurosport (now part of discovery+) gives you wall-to-wall coverage—including warm-ups, interviews, and slow-mo replays of that one horse who sneezed mid-course. But here’s the kicker: the excel horse show? Yep, it gets love too! In recent years, Sky Sports and BBC iPlayer have aired select sessions, especially the Grand Prix and dressage freestyles. So even if you can’t make it to ExCeL, you can still catch the excel horse show action from your sofa in slippers. Just don’t spill your tea on the remote.

Ah, poor Chatsworth Horse Trials. Once a jewel in the British eventing crown, it got axed after 2022 due to “rising operational costs and logistical challenges”—fancy talk for “it got too expensive and complicated.” So why were chatsworth horse trials cancelled? Basically, insurance, land access, and post-pandemic chaos all played a part. But fear not! The excel horse show has stepped up big time. While it’s not a full three-day event like Chatsworth, it’s added more eventing-style demos and cross-country simulations inside the arena. Plus, with its urban location and all-weather setup, the excel horse show offers something Chatsworth never could: reliability. Rain or shine, it goes on—and that’s worth its weight in hay.

Good news: you don’t gotta commute from Brighton at 4 a.m.! While ExCeL itself ain’t got grass for tents (it’s concrete, mate), there are loads of spots nearby. The excel horse show crowd usually books up hotels like Novotel London ExCeL or Holiday Inn Express Royal Docks months in advance. Prices hover around £110–£180 GBP/night during event week. Fancy somethin’ cozier? Try Airbnb in Beckton or Canning Town—some hosts even offer stable-side breakfasts (okay, maybe not, but they do serve proper fry-ups). And if you’re rollin’ in with a horsebox, there are designated lorry parks with power hookups and showers. Just don’t expect to pitch a tent next to the warm-up ring—security’s tighter than a showjumper’s breeches.

If you’re serious about your saddle time, the excel horse show should be circled in red (or glitter pen, we don’t judge). Typically held in **mid-December**, it’s the grand finale of the UK equestrian season. To build your 2025 calendar smartly, start with early-year events like Burnham Market or Gatcombe, then layer in summer fairs, and climax with the excel horse show. For a full roadmap, peep our detailed guide: British Dressage Schedules: Plan Your 2025 Events. That piece breaks down every major comp, including qualifying paths to even compete at the excel horse show. Whether you’re a rider, trainer, or just a fan who cries at perfect half-passes, planning ahead means you won’t miss a hoofbeat.

References

• https://www.britisheventing.com
• https://www.fei.org
• https://www.excel.london
• https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/equestrian
• https://www.discoveryplus.com/gb