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12 reasons to bring back the Olympia fancy dress relay


  • Once upon a time, Olympia was an excuse for riders to let their hair down, embrace the Christmas spirit and dress up in frivolous costumes in the annual fancy dress relay.

    Many riders returned year after year — John Whitaker, we’re looking at you — to entertain the crowds with their antics in the saddle. Forget the World Cup qualifier, the battle to end all battles came down to who could produce the best costume.

    We take a look back through the H&H vaults to bring you some of our favourite fancy dress moments…

    1. Perfect Pocahontas: AKA John Whitaker in 1985. The Yorkshireman seems to be proudly showing off his boots but we’re more impressed by the ample bosom!

    1 OLYMPIA COMEDY

    2. Brace yourself for the Full Monty: Geoff Billington, John Whitaker, Nick Skelton and Michael Whitaker reveal much more than we’re used to seeing in their Chippendales tribute act.

    2 OLYMPIA COMEDY

    3. Suits you Peter Charles! The 2012 Olympic gold medallist dons his finest lycra in 1990.

    3 OLYMPIA COMEDY

    4. The resemblance is uncanny as Tim Stockdale dresses up as TV personality Paula Yates and partners Santas Echo over the coloured obstacles

    4 OLYMPIA COMEDY

    5. David Broome is barely recognisable alongside Harvey Smith — who finds a novel way to help him on the horse

    6 OLYMPIA COMEDY

    6. Surfer dude James Fisher lives out his Baywatch dreams in 1995…

    7 OLYMPIA COMEDY

    7. …where he’s joined by Pamela Anderson in her famous red swimsuit. No wait, is that really William Funnell underneath that blonde wig? It sure is!

    8 OLYMPIA COMEDY

    Continued below…



    8. The late Joe Turi flies round the Grand Hall, Olympia, in fine style

    11 OLYMPIA COMEDY

    9. The name’s Goosen. Guy Goosen. James Bond 007 is licensed to thrill the crowds in 1995

    14 OLYMPIA COMEDY

    10. Marie Edgar unleashes her inner jockey and speeds round in her silks

    15 OLYMPIA COMEDY

    11. He’s back! John Whitaker once again — this time in his finest leopardprint outfit. Grrrrrrr

    16 OLYMPIA COMEDY

    12. And again — we know who would be the first to sign up, should the fancy dress relay ever make a comeback at Olympia. In this year, John Whitaker sports his conical bra in his Madonna tribute act on board the great (and long suffering) Randi.

    17 OLYMPIA COMEDY

    NB: H&H recommeds that all riders wearing suitable headwear while mounted.

    This year’s Olympia Horse Show runs from 12-18 December 2017. Don’t miss our Olympia preview in 7 December issue of Horse & Hound magazine

    Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout major shows like London International and more with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

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