New Eventing Competition To Take Place In December As London International Horse Show Introduces The London International Eventing Challenge
A star-studded line-up of top event riders are set to appear in spectacular competition
The organisers of London International Horse Show are delighted to announce the introduction of an exciting new competition, The London International Eventing Challenge, which will debut Arena Eventing at the 2026 Show. The exciting new competition was first announced today on the Talk Horse podcast by Olympic event rider Pippa Funnell MBE, who will serve as Ambassador for the class.
The highlight of the Evening Performance on Friday 18 December 2026, The London International Eventing Challenge, will bring together the speed, skill and excitement of eventing in an action-packed format designed especially for the unique indoor setting of London’s Excel venue. The class has been developed in partnership with British Eventing, and will showcase one of equestrian sport’s most popular disciplines, while providing a spectacular platform for some of the sport’s leading riders and horses.
The exciting new class is expected to attract an impressive line-up of elite riders and horses, with the first three confirmed riders representing the cream of eventing talent. Three members of Great Britain’s World Champion eventing team, Ros Canter, Tom McEwen and Gemma Stevens, have already confirmed they will contest the event, which will be run at approximately 3* level. The appearance of the three stars, who boast an impressive haul of medals between them, promises spectators a thrilling display of top-class horsemanship in front of a packed London crowd.
Arena Eventing combines the precision of showjumping with the boldness and athleticism of cross-country riding. Competitors will tackle a course featuring a mixture of coloured show jumps and specially designed cross-country obstacles, creating a high-octane challenge that tests speed, accuracy and horsemanship in equal measure.
London International Horse Show has been working closely with Richard Waygood, Technical Director and Eventing Performance Manager for British Equestrian, and renowned FEI Level 3 Eventing Course Designer Adrian Ditcham, to develop a competition that showcases the very best of the sport while remaining true to British Eventing principles and standards. The competition will be staged across both the International Arena and part of the International Arena’s Collecting Ring, creating a dynamic course unlike anything previously seen at the Show. The format will allow fans to experience the excitement of eventing from start to finish in a compact and thrilling indoor environment.
Launching the new event on the Talk Horse podcast, host and rider Pippa Funnell said:
“It’s about time! It’s brilliant as we’ll be bringing the eventing element to London International. Developed along with British Eventing the class will feature cross country and showjumping in the International Arena, and will also take you through the tunnel into the warm up area. I know we have great stars already signed up to it, including Ros, Gemma and Tom. I think it will be really, really exciting. I’m very happy to be an ambassador – and it’s very exciting Talk Horse is announcing this!”
Simon Brooks-Ward, Director of London International Horse Show, said:
“We are always looking for new ways to showcase the very best of equestrian sport to our audiences, and Arena Eventing is a fantastic addition to the programme. Bringing together the excitement of cross-country and showjumping in an indoor arena creates a truly engaging spectacle for spectators, whether they are long-time eventing fans or experiencing the discipline for the first time. We are delighted to be working with British Eventing and leading figures within the sport to make this happen.”
The new class further strengthens London International Horse Show’s reputation as one of the world’s premier indoor equestrian events, presenting top-level competition across multiple disciplines while continually introducing fresh and exciting experiences for visitors.
Further details, including rider announcements and competition format, will be revealed in the lead-up to the Show.