Five of the world’s top ten show jumpers have confirmed their attendance and will be competing at Olympia horse show next week.

Touted as the ‘best showjumping line-up in ten years’, the starting rosta includes Kevin Staut (France), currently world number one in the Rolex Rankings; Rolf-Göran Bengtsson (Sweden) (fifth); Edwina Alexander (Australia) (eighth); Billy Twomey (Ireland) (ninth) and Pénélope Leprevost (France) (tenth).

All are all making the trip to London next week, as is last year’s Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping Qualifier winner Eric van der Vleuten of the Netherlands. 

British entries are also the cream of the crop, including British number one and two, Ben Maher and Guy Williams; plus Michael, John, Ellen and Robert Whitaker; William Funnell; Peter Charles; Tim Stockdale; Robert Smith; Laura Renwick; Tina Fletcher; Scott Brash and David McPherson.  

The Brits are also complimentary about their favourite Christmas Show. Laura Renwick said: “Every time you enter the arena at Olympia, it’s such a great atmosphere and it’s an amazing chance to compete against some of the world’s best in the sport." 
 
With the spirit of Christmas firmly in the riders' minds, we asked them: 'What do you want for Christmas this year?’

Here are some of their answers:
 
Kevin Staut: “The latest Blackberry phone - the Blackberry Torch.”
 
Edwina Alexander: “I would like to have some well deserved rest, some champagne, and many Santa wishes for a successful year in 2011.”
 
Laura Renwick: “All I want for Christmas is health and happiness and for our son Jack to have a wonderful day. Christmas is all about the kids!”
 
Scott Brash: “Cheryl Cole!”

Guy Williams: “A horse walker!”
 
Tim Stockdale: ”Peace and good will to all and a new electric screwdriver.”

Robert Smith: “A Chinese Vase – I’m searching the attic now!”

Event Director Simon Brooks-Ward said: “Olympia has a fantastic line-up of showjumping stars this year and the competition looks set to be incredibly fierce. This really is the best showjumping line-up Olympia has seen in a decade.”