Olympia at Christmas
We used to go regularly to the Christmas Olympia show jumping event - usually on Fridays for the big World Cup Qualifer competition. Unfortunately unless you remember to book in June there's no chance of getting decent tickets, and we've been rather otherwise occupied for the last few years.
This year they've started doing 'morning shopping' tickets for £16 which get you in to the shopping centre and you can take an unoccupied seat for the very early morning events between 9am when they open and 12 noon when the coach parties arrive.
I had intended to book for the Quadrille which is on the morning of the World Cup event, but mistakenly booked for Saturday instead of Sunday. As a result I got to see the dog agility semi-final and a show jumping class which all the big riders were using as a warm-up. And I got the pick of ringside seats.
Fortunately the dogs got us up at 6am as usual so I was ready in time to get an early train to Notting Hill Gate and then a 27 (or 28) bus to Olympia (this route is not mentioned in the details sent out with tickets, but is definitely the quickest way now that the tube link has been more of less abandoned). I arrived at the doors more or less as they opened at 8.45.
I found a seat on the long side of the arena just as the agility people were walking the course. It turned out to be very tricksy, especially the tunnel under the dog walk leading to an A frame. Lots of dogs got E'd for missing the A frame because they were too busy looking for a command for the next task. Surprisingly only the first dog did the tunnel instead of the dog walk - after that the handlers moved to block the entrance - the penalties of going first! There was also a reverse entrance to the weave - well beyond my capabilities. In the end 9 dogs got through in under 45secs and went on to the evening competition.
There was a half hour wait while the course was cleared and the horse jumps set up. I went out for a sandwich and a hot chocolate (my default drink when faced with a coffee bar - in much the same way that Guinness was my default drink at college - I understand how to order it, and they can't mess it up). There were crowds of people waiting for the shopping arena to open, and I was a bit worried that I might not get another good seat but need not have worried. I got to see four Whittakers, Scott Brash and Guy Williams, as well as the cream of European show jumping, up close.
The competition finished at 12, when my free arena entry ran out, so I went on a shopping spree. Olympia is a weird combination of very high class Bling (Garrards have a stand, as do all the saddlers who sell 'Name endorsed equipment', and the top country clothes brands), and cheap tat (I was very nearly talked into a device for making patterns in nail polish - I still have one nail masquerading as a zebra). I had an interesting chat to the rep from the British Carriage Driving association - and came away with a brochure giving details of places where I can book lessons. Bought a 'Lessbounce' bra for future agility sessions, and got Bren a reflective jacket for night walks (Draco already has one). Since by now everyone was in watching the show I pretty much got the shopping area to myself, which was a real pleasure after previous years. I left around 1.30 and got back in time to give the dogs their 3pm treats.
All in all it was a very worthwhile trip, and I'm hoping they will still be doing the same offer next year. I may even manage to book the right day to see the Quadrille.
This entry was originally posted at http://inamac.dreamwidth.org/92122.html. You may comment here or there (or not).
This year they've started doing 'morning shopping' tickets for £16 which get you in to the shopping centre and you can take an unoccupied seat for the very early morning events between 9am when they open and 12 noon when the coach parties arrive.
I had intended to book for the Quadrille which is on the morning of the World Cup event, but mistakenly booked for Saturday instead of Sunday. As a result I got to see the dog agility semi-final and a show jumping class which all the big riders were using as a warm-up. And I got the pick of ringside seats.
Fortunately the dogs got us up at 6am as usual so I was ready in time to get an early train to Notting Hill Gate and then a 27 (or 28) bus to Olympia (this route is not mentioned in the details sent out with tickets, but is definitely the quickest way now that the tube link has been more of less abandoned). I arrived at the doors more or less as they opened at 8.45.
I found a seat on the long side of the arena just as the agility people were walking the course. It turned out to be very tricksy, especially the tunnel under the dog walk leading to an A frame. Lots of dogs got E'd for missing the A frame because they were too busy looking for a command for the next task. Surprisingly only the first dog did the tunnel instead of the dog walk - after that the handlers moved to block the entrance - the penalties of going first! There was also a reverse entrance to the weave - well beyond my capabilities. In the end 9 dogs got through in under 45secs and went on to the evening competition.
There was a half hour wait while the course was cleared and the horse jumps set up. I went out for a sandwich and a hot chocolate (my default drink when faced with a coffee bar - in much the same way that Guinness was my default drink at college - I understand how to order it, and they can't mess it up). There were crowds of people waiting for the shopping arena to open, and I was a bit worried that I might not get another good seat but need not have worried. I got to see four Whittakers, Scott Brash and Guy Williams, as well as the cream of European show jumping, up close.
The competition finished at 12, when my free arena entry ran out, so I went on a shopping spree. Olympia is a weird combination of very high class Bling (Garrards have a stand, as do all the saddlers who sell 'Name endorsed equipment', and the top country clothes brands), and cheap tat (I was very nearly talked into a device for making patterns in nail polish - I still have one nail masquerading as a zebra). I had an interesting chat to the rep from the British Carriage Driving association - and came away with a brochure giving details of places where I can book lessons. Bought a 'Lessbounce' bra for future agility sessions, and got Bren a reflective jacket for night walks (Draco already has one). Since by now everyone was in watching the show I pretty much got the shopping area to myself, which was a real pleasure after previous years. I left around 1.30 and got back in time to give the dogs their 3pm treats.
All in all it was a very worthwhile trip, and I'm hoping they will still be doing the same offer next year. I may even manage to book the right day to see the Quadrille.
This entry was originally posted at http://inamac.dreamwidth.org/92122.html. You may comment here or there (or not).