There are specific events that really do signify certain times of the year. I am sure you will have individual experiences that conjure emotions associated with this festive period. As I mentioned, I have well and truly embraced Christmas; but in case I hadn't two trips to Olympia Horse Show were guaranteed to put me into the spirit. There were tinsel covered ponies, Dickensian dressed dancers, Christmas carols to join in with and even Father Christmas on a sleigh; although he had swapped his reindeers for horses for the night. This horse show is not quite your run of the mill event, as well as the Christmas entertainment there are hundreds of shopping opportunities for those needing present ideas, plenty of food and drink on offer all topped off with world class riders and their horses. Oh - and how could I forget the talented dogs and their owners racing around the dog agility. Britain currently boasts the world number one and two in show jumping and a world record holder in dressage so the performances were sure to be show stopping. For me though the high point had to be the dancing, of the horse variety. Having ridden all of my life I know how much work goes into getting a horse to understand you and that is purely for jumping, but to teach a horse to dance is another matter. The Spanish riding school with their Andalusian horses put on a magnificent display as did Britain's with Charlotte Dujardin breaking another world record in the process.
As much as I love horses dancing the highlight of my week was the Strictly final, the only problem being I am not sure how to fill my Saturday nights from now on.
