Show History - 1990s

1990:

Elegance at the 1990 show was provided by the Side-Saddle Association and their lovely Rotten Row Ride. Comedy was provided by Geoff Billington, the Rory Bremner of Show Jumping and Yasmine Smart performed a display unique in the world of circus - a liberty act co-ordinated by Yasmine herself sitting on a horse. Having recovered from leukaemia one young lady, Alison Tyas, achieved the chance of a lifetime when she raced in the Shetland Pony Grand National and was presented with her rosette by none other than Bob Champion.

1991:

The Lord Kimball became President of the 1991 Show after the retirement of the Earl of Westmoreland. The Grand Hall echoed to the unique sound of the coach shell trumpets of the Soma Samurai Horsemen. It was the first time that they had been seen outside Japan. Monica Theodorescue and Sven Rothenberger challenged the British pair Jennie Loriston-Clarke and Annie MacDonald Hall in the Volvo Dressage Pas de Deux. Veronique Whitaker and her husband Michael were first and second in the Volvo World Cup Qualifying Round, but it was Michael who was leading rider of the show.

1992:

Although the show's mentor, Raymond Brooks-Ward, died in 1992, the event carried on in great style. John Parker and his famous Hungarian greys made a welcome return, as did The Household Cavalry Musical Ride. Ludger Beerbaum won the Volvo World Cup Qualifier and Michael Whitaker won the Grand Prix for Britain.

1993:

Seventeen-year-old Kuluhasz Ferenc who had never been out of his home town in Hungary before, stole the show as he stood on two horses and drove a further five in a Pushka seven. Michael Whitaker won the Volvo World Cup Qualifier and Peter Charles, the Grand Prix. The finale was themed on Nursery Rhymes.

1994:

The Metropolitan Mounted Police provided the thrills and spills with their humorous and skilful display. The finale produced by Major Michael Parker was themed on Peter Pan. Robert Smith won the Puissance on Gold and Ludger Beerbaum the Grand Prix.

1995:

Some of the most exciting show jumping that Olympia has ever seen with Nick Skelton coming second to Ludger Beerbaum in the Volvo World Cup Qualifier by 100th of a second. Guy Goosen broke the Puissance record on Sagrat jumping 7'3". Lorenzo, the flying Frenchman made his British debut thrilling the audiences with the flamboyant dare-devil stunts with his five white Camargue ponies. The Barcelona Mounted Police illustrated the ultimate control and timing in their musical parade, which culminated in all their Andalusian stallions lying down in the arena. Natasha Eddery, daughter of the famous jockey Pat Eddery showed that racing runs in the family winning the Shetland Pony Grand National.

1996:

Olympia's 25th anniversary with celebrations throughout the week. Lorenzo once again amazed and inspired his audiences.

1997:

The star of the show was France's Jean-Francois Pignon who thrilled and dazzled with his breathtaking display of horsemanship with his three horses - without the aid of any tack. Olympia once again provided a thrilling Volvo World Cup Qualifier which was finally won by World No. 1 Ludger Beerbaum, who went on to become the leading rider of the show. The Metropolitan Mounted Police Display returned to Olympia to thunderous applause at every performance. Overall the show sold more seats in 1997 that in any of the previous 25 years, reaching a near capacity crowd of 94% over the ten performances.

1998:

Another record breaking year for the five day spectacular which this year featured daredevil performances from traditional Ukrainian Cossacks. John Whitaker won the Traxdata World Cup Qualifier and the crowd thrilled to the Scottish theme of the Finale. The show continued to receive extensive support from BBC Television and Eurosport.

1999:

The last major international sporting occasion in the UK before the Millennium was marked by the return of the famous camels to the packed programme of entertainment. The camels &8216;Timbu' and &8216;Rani', who performed dressage to music, brought down the house at every performance and captured the interest of the world's media. By way of a contrast the Musical Ride of the Household Cavalry made a significant change to their display with their classical music being replaced with contemporary popular music. The World Cup Qualifier provided a popular home win for John Whitaker and the veteran Virtual Village Welham. The other side of the pond indulged in a little flag waving when Olympia debutante Alison Firestone and Royal Future from the USA, snatched victory by just 49 hundredths of a second, from Helena Weinberg in the £50,000 Grand Prix.