Shop ‘til you drop at Olympia

Heading to Olympia’s shopping village? Here’s everything you need to know before you hit the tradestands

Olympia – go for the horses, stay for the 200-stand shopping village. We all love a tack shop, with row upon row of matchy matchy sets and the addictive scent of brand-new leather – they could probably bottle that and sell it, right? But there’s so much more to spend that Christmas cash that’s burning a hole in your pocket on. Read on for the round-up of retail highlights on offer.

TOP TIP

Check the performance timetable to work out when your best shopping window is – if there’s something you don’t mind missing, use the time to get your shopping fix.

A gift horse

It’s not just beautiful saddles and bridles to be enticed by – all bases are covered, with experts on hand to tell you all there is to know about the latest products and gadgets. From feed and supplements to therapeutic rugs and technical boots, everything you’ve ever wanted can be found at Olympia – as well as things you never knew existed, but now definitely need.

You can usually find some great offers at shows like Olympia, so why not invest in that new winter turnout rug you’ve been promising your horse for years at a pleasantly reduced price? It’s also a great opportunity to try-before-you buy, so you can have a thorough look at and compare different products to get a true feel for what they’re like and if they’d be right for your horse, particularly because, in this day and age, so much of our shopping is done online.

So, whether your horse has a passion for fashion, a competitive streak or needs a spa day, there’s a stand for that. 

Treat yourself

Go on, it’s Christmas! Browse the vast swathes of equestrian clothing stands for the perfect pair of breeches, new winter-ready boots, a jacket to keep you toasty and dry on the yard or, if you’re feeling generous, a pair of gloves or socks for secret Santa. 

If you fancy upping the ante, you’ll find a range of stands dedicated to country style and elegant attire. If tweed’s your thing, Olympia’s the perfect place to pick up a beautiful jacket or maybe you’re after some cosy cashmere to snuggle up in front of the fire in? Pick up some stunning accessories that’ll see you through the season – scarves and hats being the order of the day – and for a touch of luxury, why not take a peek at some jewellery? Surely just looking can’t hurt…

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Don’t fancy carrying all your bags around the show? The Pony Club run a bag drop service, so you can keep your purchases safe for a small donation

Feel at home

You might describe yourself as horsey inside-and-out and it’s something that probably applies to your home, too. If you’re anything like us, that probably means saddles on the arm of the sofa, bridles on coathooks and maybe even the odd rug in the washing machine? 

Olympia’s a great place to get some interior design inspo with an equestrian twist. As well as the undeniable pleasure of browsing stands full of cushions, throws and other beautiful things for the home, there’ll be equestrian art to ooh and ahh at, too.

It’s a dog’s life

You can’t spoil one four-legged friend and not the other! Spare a thought for your pooch at Olympia and head to some of the canine-friendly stands for treats, beds, collars, coats and more. There’s bound to be something he needs for Christmas…

A friend in need

With some worthy causes in attendance, Olympia presents the perfect opportunity to help them continue to support equines in need, while finding out about their incredible work. Buy some merchandise, make a donation or even adopt a charity’s resident to help give back to animals in crisis.

DID YOU KNOW?

If shopping’s your sole focus, you can pay a reduced ticket price purely for access to the village.

Don’t forget to visit the Horse&Rider team at stand B50 for top merchandise and more.

For more information, visit olympiahorseshow.com