If a World Championship was awarded for the best part about the APHA World Show currently being held in Fort Worth, Texas, it would definitely be the camaraderie and friendship that exhibitors, trainers, and spectators feel while at the show.
Nearly everyone GoHorseShow spoke with agreed that the people are what makes this show so special, but all of them had their own spin on why.
Delores Kuhlwein said, “I feel like I’m coming home to family. I get to see people I haven’t seen all year and there is such a warm feeling among the exhibitors and people who come here.”
But the love doesn’t stop with the people. Of course, there is an amazing amount of horse flesh roaming around the grounds and for some, that is the best part.
“My favorite part of the World Show is not only seeing the people you only get to see once or twice a year, but also the horses,” said Kerry Aycock of Aycock Halter Horses, “seeing as we are really West Coast centered, coming out here, you get to really gauge how competitive you are.”
And even though exhibitors come to the World Show to be competitive, competition is not the only part of showing. As anyone can tell you, there is a lot of downtime at horse shows (especially big, long ones) and for Laura Alloway, that is the best part (pictured right)
“I love being able to show alongside people from my home state and do well but I love the downtime. We go to dinner, we hang out at our stalls, we laugh, and we just have a good time.”
Alloway continued, “When you come here with friends and you hang out, you have someone on your side who is rooting for you and you support each other win or lose. It’s just so nice to have that support.”
And it’s not just the support between exhibitors that makes the APHA World Show such a fun place to be. It’s also the support they receive from spectators. Trainer Danny Desmond of Georgetown, Ontario said, “There are lots of people in the stands who don’t have a horse in the pen. At other world shows I go to, that doesn’t usually happen. People just enjoy being here.”
For Shelley Busch, it’s the passion everyone shares for the Paint horse breed. “We all just really love our horses and being able to share that passion with other people is the best part for me,” she said, “I just love seeing my friends here and people I haven’t seen in many years.”
That passion no doubt resonates deep as past exhibitors, like Shawnee Wayman, still make their way to the APHA World Show every year. “You know, I come here, and I don’t show,” she said, “but I absolutely love to see everyone that I competed with forever, because you know, they’re my friends.”
Even though friendship topped the list, there were a lot of other reasons people gave about what makes the APHA World Show so unique. “I really love the futurities and watching the younger horses,” said Crystal McBride. (pictured left)
Cindy Polley of CNC Show Horses and Equine Reproduction said, “I really love the halter horses and showing a good halter horse; it is really thrilling. But I have to say I’m really liking the longe line since I won it, I was really in 7th heaven!” (pictured right)
For professionals, it probably isn’t surprising that the best part about the APHA World Show is their clients.
JT Thomas of Double C Acres, Inc. said, “For me, the best part about the World Show is bringing a horse here that I’ve worked with all year long and then competing against the best to see how good it really is.” (pictured right)
“I really enjoy watching exhibitors win for the first time,” said Roger Deromedi of D&S Performance Horses.
And it’s not just the winning that makes the World Show so unique.
Karen Qualls of Premier Performance Horses said, “My clients’ reaction to both winning and losing. We have both tears and smiles, but I like to see the emotions of it all.”
You Gotta Eat Sometime
Anyone that has ever been to a horse show knows that finding time to eat can be a challenging endeavor. However, with the APHA World Show being in Fort Worth, the possibilities become endless and good food is no doubt a major part of the World Show experience.
If friendship wins the World Championship for favorite part of the World Show itself, Mexican food wins the World for most popular food choice. However, APHA World Show attendees seem to have very diverse palettes.
Below, are the top places to eat according to the people we interviewed.
Stubby’s Baked Potatoes – Mark Kuhlwein
“I like getting all the toppings and eating the skin too. They’re baked just right. And it’s tradition to have one here.” (pictured right)
The Sweet Tomato – Crystal McBride
“It’s like Souplantation which we have back in California. It’s a buffet style with lots of soups and salads and it is very, very good.”
J&J Oyster Bar – JT Thomas
“I like oysters. And shrimp. So I get raw oysters and a cold bowl of shrimp.”
Del Frisco’s Steakhouse – Kerry Aycock
“It’s pretty hard to top. I’m a New York strip guy and baked potato. A great steak is hard to beat.”
Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen – Melissa Sachs, TS Paints
“I love the blackened alligator.”
Blue Sushi – Danny Desmond
“The atmosphere is just different. It’s not like all the roadhouse places you normally think of when you think of Texas, it’s more elegant. It’s a chance to get away from the ‘cowboy’ everything.” (pictured right)
Ol’ South – Nicole Dalton, Brassy Acres
“The Dutch babies are amazing. I think I eat there like six times while we are here. They’re like crepe pancakes with powdered sugar and lemon. Delicious!”
Uncle Julio’s Fine Mexican Food – Laura Alloway
“Their fish tacos are good and so is their Chicken Tortilla soup. And of course, their Pineapple Margarita.”
Torchy’s Tacos – Erica Lang
“It started in Austin. But it has branched out and is now here in Fort Worth. They have fancy a la carte tacos with crazy names like ‘the Democrat’ and ‘the Republican.’ But no matter what you believe, they are all great and they also have great queso.” (pictured left)
The Blue Mesa – Shelley Busch
“They have great Southwestern/Mexican food. I love everything, especially their queso.”
Dos Amigos – Rod Safty
“My favorite thing to eat there is by far their seafood enchiladas.”
Hoffbrau Steaks – Stacey Holyoak
“I love everything there to eat but their Corona beer mix thing, I don’t know the name, is my favorite thing to drink.”
Coburn’s Catering – Shawnee Wayman
“I love their wings. I like the BBQ. But they are always quality, always good, and the guy that works there is hilarious.”
Writer’s Note: As a past APHA Youth World Show competitor (95-00) it was amazing to see so many faces that I haven’t seen in so long, as well as meet some incredible new people. I thoroughly enjoyed talking with everyone and eating so much great food (I also love Coburn’s and Stubby’s Baked Potatoes) and I definitely look forward to seeing everyone next year!
