Summer Travels: Glamping in Hunt Country, Virginia

Thanks to my lovely job, I spent the first week of June at the Upperville Colt and Horse Show in Virginia. It's one of the few shows where we are able to camp on site. You can't beat the commute... and frankly there's something quite nice about coming home to your own "space" at the end of the day, rather than the barren austerity of a hotel room. The Upperville show is usually brutally hot, but we were graced with pleasant enough temperatures to make evening cookouts and occasional journeys into town very enjoyable.

Some of the best barbecue I've ever had in my life was at this spot here... and the aroma from those giant smokers was not to be believed.

collar and leash by Houndworthy, beer by Guinness, Galway boot in black/brown by Dubarry

Otto held things down in the camper most of the time, but he felt obligated to walk down and make sure things were running smoothly at the booth too. Boy did he benefit...

The folks at Nutro were at the show promoting their canine goods, and Otto was more than happy to try something new. (Thanks Nutro!) 

P.S. Those crunchy treats have actual berries in them. 

P.P.S. I ate one.

P.P.P.S. It seriously wasn't bad.

Don't worry, I did eat some half decent human food on this trip too. 

I don't know if it was because I'd been subsisting off of bacon and mac + cheese in the camper, but the meal I had at the Hunter's Head Tavern was one of the best I've ever had in my life. All of their food comes from local farms, so their menu changes with the seasons. Otto also enjoyed a delicious dog dinner to-go for only 3 bucks! For Hunter/Jumper people reading... Joe Fargis was eating there too. That's an endorsement, if nothing else!

photo by Lauren Giannini for Sidelines Magazine
Our good friend and fellow photojournalist/blogger Lauren stopped by to get an obligatory glass of champagne and a photo for her Sidelines Magazine blog post about the show, which you can read here.

I've been to plenty of feed stores in my time, so I had a difficult time imaging what Dubarry product would look like being sold on one. Everyone kept telling me that Tri-County Feeds in Marshall, VA was a totally different story, but I didn't really believe them until I saw for myself. The place is mindblowing. From the outside, the building is huge, nice, but still unassuming. Step foot in the door, however, and it's like stepping into Disneyworld for tasteful country dwellers.




If Tri-County did wedding registries... I'd register for these dishes! and I'm not even engaged!

Feed, stable and pet supplies, home goods, elegant country clothing, and a top of the line collection of riding apparel for every discipline from polo to showjumping. Owners Bill and Jeri definitely know what they're doing: my wallet barely escaped in one piece. If you're too far away to make the trip, they are online... but the trip is definitely worth it.

Virginia... you were an impeccable host. Same time next year?