Page 50 - The Hunt - Spring/Summer 2023

TOP-NOTCH
TAILGATING
RAISING THE BAR
At last year’s Winterthur Point-to-Point, Michael Wilson took home a silver plate and copious glory, winning the top tailgating award with a repast for 20 guests centered around his 1960 Ford Mustang convertible. An accomplished host, Wilson says tailgaters need not toil days before
the event to produce an abundant spread. His spread of shrimp, crabcakes, cheeses, crudité, mini cheesecakes and other finger foods was catered by Wegmans. “Call someone and have them do it—that’s my recipe,” he says. “The kids next to us had boxes of donuts. They’re young and didn’t know any better.”
When it comes to the bar, Wilson is more hands-on. He greets his guests with mimosas, pouring orange juice from
silver pitchers and adding champagne to taste. He uses store-bought orange juice
in cartons, but most guests are convinced it’s homemade. His secret? Buy OJ with extra pulp, which has the texture of freshly squeezed juice.
Wilson sets a fine table, with linen napkins, silver serving pieces and wine goblets. “No plastic, no paper plates,” he says.
A generous host, Wilson also ponies up for his guests’ entrance wristbands.
This spring, he’ll up the ante, renting a tent for racegoers. “We always hope for good weather,” he says. “But if it’s drizzly, we’re prepared.”
THREE WINNING RECIPES.
BY EILEEN SMITH DALLABRIDA
POINT-TO-POINT TEA
INGREDIENTS
5 oz. Captain Morgan white rum 5 oz. Smirnoff vodka
5 oz. Don Julio Blanco tequila
5 oz. triple sec
5 oz. fresh lemon juice 5 oz. Tanqueray gin
5 oz. simple syrup Add cola to taste
• Mix ingredients in a large pitcher.
• Serve in highball glasses with lots of ice.
• Garnish with a lemon wedge.
Above is Wilson’s recipe for a pitcher-perfect cocktail.
IT’S A JUNGLE OUT THERE
If you were handicapping steeplechase tailgaters, Rebecca Yount would be the odds-on favorite. She and husband George Wagman III have taken top honors at Maryland’s Grand National Steeplechase,
the Mount Harmon Wicomico Hunt Point- to-Point and other events. Last May, they won first place in the jungle-themed tailgate contest at Willowdale Steeplechase. “It’s the attention to detail,” she says. “Our tailgate is a major undertaking, and we put a lot of thought into it.”
Yount shops consignment stores for finishing touches— continued on page 16
14 STEEPLECHASE LOOKBOOK 2023 | todaymediainc.com