Best Food Options at Horse Shows
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By Laura Boynton
Besides earning a prestigious win and spending quality time with their horses, family, and friends, there’s another sought-after experience exhibitors look forward to when showing–the food! Most competitors have favorite restaurants, beloved food vendors, and traditional post-win celebratory spots at each horse show they attend.
Due to the shortened 2020 show season, food vendors and midways were missed by exhibitors almost as much as the actual horse showing was! For example, among the favorite items at the Quarter Horse Congress, the Schmidt’s German Tent sausage sandwiches and bourbon chicken top the list. Equestrian foodies can rejoice in the fact that their beloved Sweet Shop cinnamon rolls, maple syrup pecan rolls, and apple turnovers will be served this year. Add Bella Brew’s Frozen Hot Chocolate Frappes, Schmidt’s decadent cream puffs, and Ice Creamery’s root beer floats for the ultimate sugar rush.
Every show grounds and city boasts their own crowd favorite vendors, restaurants, and menu items that keep riders waiting in line. Find out what selections have these riders drooling and where these craved delicacies can be found.
Gillian Chant of Kansas City, Missouri, says the best show ground food can be found at the World Equestrian Center in Wilmington, Ohio, and at the Congress. Though she hasn’t shown at the WEC in Ocala yet, Chant is definitely excited to try out the many cool places to eat there. She says, “I love that the Ohio WEC has a Starbucks with a wide range of café food options available that we don’t commonly see at shows. The Congress attracts so many food vendors, but I always look forward to having the bourbon chicken at least once or twice.”
Alicia Ritsema of Kalamazoo, Michigan, also cites the WEC and Congress as two of her favorite spots. “I love the food and atmosphere at the Congress and the endless food options you can try there. My all-time favorite would have to be the bourbon chicken. The grounds at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida, are impeccable, and they also have great food options. Viola & Dot’s Italian Kitchen and Pizzeria is a fun place to eat, because you’re able to make your own pasta, salad, or create your own individualized pizzas.”
