There are many excellent cities around the country that are host to some of the best horse shows among all breeds. If you only show one class like me, you tend to find a lot of free time on your hands. With all that free time, I like to explore the city and see what it has to offer. Here are the top cities that currently host significant horse shows. We narrowed down the list based on show grounds, attractions and overall atmosphere. We want to know what your favorite horse show city is. Vote at the end of the story and let us know!
Scottsdale, Arizona
Between the shopping, restaurants, natural beauty and phenomenal show grounds, Scottsdale is one of the most beautiful and exciting places to host a show. WestWorld, which hosts the Arizona Sun Circuit among other top shows, expands across 386 acres and has 11 arenas and 900+ stalls and is one of the most prettiest show facilities in the country. Exhibitors often get professional pictures done at these grounds due to the scenic atmosphere. Scottsdale has some of the best shopping around in the country and just 15 miles away is Scottsdale Fashion Square. Food is one of Scottsdale strong points and you the consensus is that you can’t go wrong with any place you pick in Arizona. However, the restaurant White Chocolate Grill is one of my personal favorites and you’ll often run in to other horse show people while you’re there. If you don’t have a lot of time to leave the grounds, AJ’s Fine Foods is a quick grocery store where you can pick up breakfast or lunch.
Oklahoma City, OklahomaÂ
Home of the AQHA and AQHYA World Show, Oklahoma City easily deserves a spot on the list. Oklahoma has put in $100 million into renovating their fairground, which has helped the quality of the grounds tremendously. It has numerous places to ride as well as stalls. Oklahoma City has a lot to offer especially if you don’t want to go that far from the show. In that case, there is an outlet mall less than 10 miles away just down Reno. These outlets have shops such as Michael Kors, Fossil, Coach and much more. Oklahoma also has an excellent restaurant selection that is all close to the fairgrounds. Bricktown caters to all kinds of eating and drinking needs with a river walk atmosphere. After you’ve had a long day at the show, a drink at WSKY Lounge could help complete the day. If you’re looking for more of an upscale dinner then Rococo or The Mantel Wine Bar & Bistro will be the perfect pick. Finally, Oklahoma City has one of the best cupcake places called Pinkitzel.
Venice, Florida
Venice is such a nice area that it’s almost too good to be true and Fox Lea Farms is the host to multiple horse shows. With multiple barns and at least six arenas these grounds are top notch for Florida. However, just outside the grounds about six miles away is the beautiful beach of Florida. These grounds are close enough for exhibitors to take a break from their busy days to go to the beach and relax. Beachfront restaurant, Sharky’s On the Pier is a very popular hangout for the horse show crowd. It is the only beachfront restaurant and Tiki bar with a fishing pier. Venice’s downtown shopping center is known for its art galleries, restaurants and boutiques. If you make it downtown make sure to try Café Venice Restaurant and Wine Bar. If your interested in live music and good drinks, then Daiquiri Deck is the place to go. Venice is also known for the live music it puts on in the park every month. If you happen to be at a show down there, make sure to check to see what entertainment is playing that night.
Las Vegas, NevadaÂ
How can you not love a horse show where you can lay in bed and watch what is happening in the arena on the television in your room? South Point Hotel in Las Vegas has accomplished this and much more. The Silver Dollar Circuit and the AQHA Novice West Championship Shows are two of the biggest shows held at the recently upgraded venue. Besides the 1,200 stalls and the multiple riding pens, this facility is IN the hotel so you never have to go far for breakfast, lunch, dinner or even some entertainment since they do have a movie theater and bowling ally. What else is nice about these grounds is the Saturday Night Bar which over looks the arena so exhibitors can watch the show while enjoying a cocktail or two. Aside from all of the exciting shows and shopping that Vegas has to offer, if you chose to leave the hotel, one of my favorite places is the best burger and milkshake restaurant called Holsteins located in the Cosmopolitan. Las Vegas knows how to put on a show, but remember what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas!
Murfreesboro/Nashville, Tennessee
With 500+ stalls and multiple arenas, The Miller Coliseum, home of the Southern Equine Expo Center is a great area for a show. One of the biggest AQHA shows, The Lucky 7 Seven is held at the facility every May. Since Murfreesboro is a college town, it has many selections for food, drinks and entertainment. It is also 30 minutes from the heart of country music, Nashville. However, if you don’t want to drive that far, Murfreesboro does have its own hidden gems such as The Chop House which is recommended by many locals since it has excellent service and quality food. Another one of those hidden gems would be Five Senses which is known for using local products for their food as well as their excellent bar selection. If you’re just wanting to go out for a drink or two then Bar Louie would be the best choice with its up beat atmosphere. Since Murfreesboro is only thirty minutes from Nashville, there is no reason not to visit it. While you’re there, make sure to visit the Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame. With excellent grounds and many things to do, Murfreesboro is an exceptional place to host a horse show.
Tunica, MississippiÂ
Tunica is the heart of gambling for the mid south and because of it, many think there’s no better place to have a horse show. This facility has 48,000 square feet of climate controlled space, 700+ stalls and multiple riding arenas. The Gold Strike and Sam’s Town Casino will keep you occupied when you’re not at the show. Tunica does have some hidden gems such as Blue & White Restaurant, which happens to be a local favorite. However, If you happen to end up at Horseshoe Casino make sure to go into 8oz. Burger Bar. Just like Vegas, there is always something going on at the Casinos whether it’s a concert, event or even some gambling. Tunica is a popular place for a horse show throughout the mid south.
Del Mar, California
When you’ve hosted two of the five rounds of the Olympic equestrian team selections, then you know you have state-of-the-art fairgrounds. These beautiful grounds have at least four rings and can hold 1,200 horses. Word on the street is that you can even see Olympic riders practicing at this venue. Besides the beach, what else does Del Mar have to offer that makes it so wonderful? Everything! To start things off, Del Mar has such a great food selection that it was hard to narrow down to some favorite. SBICCA is known for its award winning California cuisine. If you have some to get away from the grounds, make sure to venture down there for an award winning dinner. Another popular spot with locals is Stratford Court Café known for serving breakfast, lunch and excellent coffee. For all of those who like to camp out on the grounds, Del Mar is known for its outstanding farmers market that is held every Saturday at the City Hall. Also on Main Street are multiple art galleries, shops and restaurants that are all within distance of the show. Last but not least, there’s Del Mar Racetrack. But then again, who would want to leave the grounds when there are Olympians?
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Oklahoma sure does know what it takes to host a horse show, especially in Tulsa. With five barns and at least six arenas, these grounds are a convenient place to attend a horse show including the NSBA and Pinto World Championship Shows. Tulsa has many things to do and places to eat that are within 10 miles of the show. One of the most popular areas outside of the show is Utica Square home of wonderful shopping and everyone’s favorite café, Queenies. If you’ve never eaten there before, I’m sure you could ask anyone from Highpoint Performance Horses how to get there as we are regulars when we are in town. Another local area is Cherry Street, which has many bars, restaurants and one of the best coffee shops. If you are willing to break away from your morning Starbucks, The Coffee House on Cherry Street is a perfect place to try. They have many drink selections as well as breakfast and desert items. Besides the coffee and bar selection, Cherry Street has some wonderful dinner such as Andolini’s Pizzeria that offers many pizza selections as well as gluten free selections. There is so much to do, eat and drink in Tulsa that you can never run out of places to go.
Lexington, VirginiaÂ
What is so great about Lexington’s show grounds is that you can always find a place to ride since the facilities have at least 10 arenas. These grounds also have eight state-of-the-art barns that are the new home of the AQHA Novice East Championship Show and the popular AQHA show, The Virginia Classic which is also home of the popular Hylton Maiden 3 and Over Western Pleasure class. The Virginia Horse Center wants all of its exhibitors to experience quality service therefore it has teamed up with Lexington’s best restaurants, The Red Hen and Pure Eats, to bring food to the horse center for all exhibitors to enjoy. However, if you do take time to leave the grounds for lunch, the Blue Sky Café is a wonderful lunch spot to visit. However, If you cant get into Blue Sky Café, The Bistro on Main is another great option. If you have some more free time and you are interested in American history, make sure to visit the home and grave of Stonewall Jackson.
Fort Worth, TexasÂ
Everything is better in Texas in my opinion, but I may be a little biased. The City of Fort Worth has approved a $15 million upgrade on the already state-of-the-art facility. The grounds have 2,500+ stalls and multiple arenas that are air-conditioned so no one melts in the Texas heat. What makes Fort Worth an excellent horse show host is the fact that there is so much to do around the show grounds. Just down the street are the infamous Stockyards that host many concerts at places like Billy Bob’s Texas. The stockyards have many great places to eat, drink and explore during the day and night. Sundance Square is also another remote place to the show grounds that has many art galleries, live music and Scat Jazz Lounge. With places to eat like the Flying Saucer and the Reata, Sundance Square is not the place to turn down. Fort Worth is a city based around the Texas culture, which is the reason it is a place to have a horse show.
What’s your favorite place to show? Tell us by voting below!
Loading ...
