last updated on December 14, 2009 18:06

Anticipation is building as we count down to the FEI World Cup Dressage qualifier at the London International Horse Show, Olympia 15-21 December 2009. The small but quality field includes the world number one Edward Gal with wow stallion Moorland Totilas and promises an exhilarating two days of high calibre competition.

13 riders are now confirmed to start in the grand prix on Tuesday 14th December and all will go through to compete in the grand prix freestyle on the evening of Wednesday 15th. Last year’s winner and European gold medalist, Adelinde Cornelissen with Parzival (pictured) will return to defend her title, meanwhile six Brits will be out to give the Dutch a run for their money.

Saving ‘Alf miles’ Britain's number one Laura Bechtolsheimer will be competing her second horse Andretti H, a 14 year old German bred gelding at Olympia this year. They will be aiming to recover their form from earlier in the year when winning at Lingen CDI in June on 71.31%.

Fellow team medalist from this year’s European Championships, Carl Hester, will again be ‘taking his hat off’ to Tom Jones with Donald McTaggart’s Liebling II. Together their partnership reached new heights this summer with Carl taking his 6th National Championship and 51st National title on the 12 year old bay gelding.

British team captain and chef d’equipe Richard Davison, while guiding the team to a European silver medal, has been leading a successful international campaign of his own during 2009 with the Countess of Derby’s 10 year old Florestan gelding Hiscox Artemis. The pair come here fresh from winning the final of the prestigious Kampmann Future Trophy in November 2009 having won at every international they have taken on this season.

Crowd favourites Steph Croxford and Mr President made a welcome return this autumn following time out from injury. Having lost none of their joie de vivre Steph placed in the top three at the National Championships and went one better to win the grand prix freestyle at Biarritz CDI, France in October with the charismatic liver chestnut.

Henriette Andersen is thrilled to be making her Olympia debut with Paula Potter’s 12 year old bay gelding Louis D’Or III. Their best achievements to date include fifth placings at Hartpury CDI and the National Championships 2009 achieving 70.10% in a competitive grand prix freestyle competition at the 2009 Nationals. A stalwart of the sport, Henriette runs a dressage training yard in the Cotswolds with partner Ulrik Molgaard.

Judy Harvey stepped down from her role as senior selector for the dressage team earlier this year to concentrate on her own international career with the 11 year old bay gelding Fitzcerraldo owned by Richard Heley. Notching up a 2nd place at Hartpury CDI and placing 4th at Hickstead CDI 2009 they are an established big tour combination also making their Olympia debut. Judy Harvey FBHS is an FEI international dressage judge and combines her judging and training calendar with running her busy yard in Buckinghamshire.

Regrettably the seventh British rider Fiona Bigwood with Wie Atlantico has been forced to withdraw from the competition as her daughter was taken ill this morning - we wish her a swift recovery and hope to see Fiona back out competing soon.

Before the freestyle on Wednesday evening man of the moment Edward Gal will host his first ever Dressage Masterclass at Olympia. Edward will be taking time out from his final preparations to share his expertise with the audience, demonstrating how he works with his horses to perform specific test movements required for the Kür.

Visitors will also be treated to a pas de deux featuring Toni Terry, wife of Chelsea Football Club and England Captain John Terry, and Olympic dressage rider Vicki Thompson-Winfield. Toni will ride her own grand prix schoolmaster Diamond Fritz alongside Vicki on Oldencraig Papillon, in a very special five minute performance, choreographed to a Michael Jackson collaboration.

Whether you are watching from your sofa at home or lucky enough to get tickets to the sold out show we hope you will be backing our British riders and wearing your RED with pride! See news story here

If you can’t make it to the show, The FEI World CupTM Grand Prix Freestyle to Music will be available LIVE through the BBC's red button and internet services on Wednesday evening, 16th December. Digital satellite and cable TV viewers can access the programme from 2000-2230 (Freeview coverage finishes at 2215).

British Eurosport will also be broadcasting the grand prix from 2025-2215 with commentary by David Goldstrom and Nicky Barrett

For all the info visit www.olympiahorseshow.com