The BBC has confirmed it will cover Olympia, the London International Horse Show, for the next four years.
Jonathan Goold of the show said it was “great news for Olympia and equestrian sport in general”.
The sport has recently suffered cuts to its television schedule, with both Horse of the Year Show and Hickstead’s Derby meeting being lost from our screens this year.
Olympia has been broadcast on the BBC since 1971. The planned coverage will run from 2016 to 2019 inclusive, including BBC broadcast of the major classes, including the FEI World Cup showjumping qualifier, the World Cup dressage to music and the puissance.
“We’re pleased to be continuing our relationship with Olympia,” said Barbara Slater, director of BBC Sport.
“It is always a great event in the run-up to Christmas, showing top showjumping and dressage with some of the best riders in the world, along with the festivities and events that make the show so special. With the 2016 Rio Olympics coming up, this is a great showcase for some of the best of Olympic sport for our audiences.”
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However, the BBC is currently “exploring options” as part of £150m of cuts, one of which is a plan to cull the red button.
The BBC announced last month it is “exploring a phased exit from the broadcast red button service and focusing our interactive TV offer on connected televisions and iPlayer”.
A spokesman for Olympia told H&H the BBC has confirmed live coverage of the show. Should the red button be dropped, the content will still be streamed online.
If you’re not heading to west London this week, you can still follow Olympia from home.
