7 ‘meals’ most horse riders will have eaten at some point
Equestrians are some of the most adaptable people in the world and when it comes to finding things to eat in times of need we’re pretty good at thinking outside of the box.
Long days at the yard, horsebox journeys across the country under strict time constraints and consecutive days spent camping at rural competition venues (while not in lockdown), mean that tucking into a nutritious home-cooked meal isn’t always possible.
Here are seven food combinations most riders will have classed as a ‘meal’ at some point in time…
1. Service station fast food
Picture the scene. You’re on the way back from a show, your class ran over by several hours and you ended up bottom of the line. You’ve lost track of time and suddenly realise you’ve not eaten since breakfast. You choose to drown your sorrows in a greasy, overpriced meal from a service station fast-food outlet.
2. Anything out of date
Our hardy immune systems mean “best before” dates aren’t too much of a concern to us. If it passes the smell test or the five — or maybe 10 — second rule, it’s good to go. If you look hard enough, there will always be a forgotten bar or packet of something from a few years ago that will do the trick.
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3. Prosecco (for breakfast)
Whether celebrating or commiserating on competition day, when you’ve been awake since 4am, a fizzy tipple at 10am is perfectly acceptable. It’s 6pm somewhere, right? Just make sure you pack some non-alcoholic bubbles for the designated lorry driver.
4. Apples and carrots
When you’ve forgotten your lunch and you’re spending the whole day at the yard, your horse’s fruit and veggie stash can come in as a very handy (and nutritious) snack to keep you going.
5. Polos or mints
One for him, one for me, and so on.
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6. Toasties
A staple at most shows. Bread and melted cheese, you can’t go wrong.
7. Home-made baking
If you pick your grooms wisely, you can make sure you’re stocked up with some tasty home-made treats, courtesy of them, to keep you fuelled throughout the day while rushing around at a show. Cake for breakfast, lunch and dinner; sounds like a winner to us.
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Born and raised in the Lake District, Alex has grown up on the showing scene. She has qualified and competed ponies at the Royal International, Horse of the Year Show and Olympia and has first-hand knowledge of the current issues in the showing world as well as the horses, ponies and riders who compete in the sport. Alex joined H&H in January 2018 as showing editor, cementing its place as the leading equestrian publication for both showing reports and current showing news in the UK. She moved on in October 2024 to pursue other opportunities, but continues to write for us on a freelance basis.