Olympia international horse show in London.

The Olympia venue opened its doors to the public on Boxing Day in 1886. It had an exquisite design with a sky-high roof over 100 ft, marble columns, and banquet rooms that were paneled with oak. It was named "Olympia" in hopes to keep the fulfillment and commitment in the future years to come.

Early in 1906, Gardiner Heaton invited friends to dinner with the intention of persuading them to organise an international show on similar lines to those in New York, Paris and Brussels. The dinner was successful and Reginald Heaton became the Managing Director, a post he held for over 25 years.

Lord Lonsdale then president of the National Sporting Club of Britain was the Show's first President. The roll of Directors listed in early programmes included many prominent and wealthy patrons with at least 10 Dukes, 11 Marquises, 54 Earls, 25 Viscounts, 80 Lords, and 28 Knights who were made honorary Vice-Presidents.

The show was closed during World War I and suffered from the economic instability and industrialisation between the wars. In 1939 the last International Horse Show was held at Olympia. It was resurrected in 1947 at a different venue in White City, London. However, in December 1972, Reginald Heaton and Raymond Brooks-Ward decided to bring a horse show back to Olympia. Olympia – The London International Horse Show has since become a highlight of the equestrian calendar and part of the equestrian Christmas tradition.

The London International Horse Show celebrated its 100th Anniversary in 2007 as 'one of Europe's oldest equine competitions’.