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For show jumping trainers Katie and Henri Prudent, who split their time between Middleburg, Va., and Rosiéres aux Salines, France, the holidays are a very special part of their lives. "I always think it's important for us to be together," says Katie. "But since my husband is French, it's become quite a project over the years." One of the projects Katie is most proud of, however, is introducing the tradition of Thanksgiving to their French family. "We told them the whole history of the pilgrims coming over and hunting the wild turkey and the feast to give thanks after the harvest," says Katie. "The problem was they don't have big turkeys in France. I took my grandmamma, and we went to Madame Wolfe [the local poultry seller], and I asked her for the biggest turkey she had. She took out this sickly looking chicken. So what I realized is that I had to get a refrigerator bag and bring my own turkey to France every year! The French couldn't believe a turkey could weigh 20 pounds. They couldn't believe it! "We come from a family of very good cooks," continues Katie. "I'm sort of a meat-and-potatoes girl; my husband is way better than I am. So Thanksgiving is my meal! I could do the turkey and stuffing. That's the one meal out of the year that I direct everything. It's so fun, and so American. They loved everything about it!" The Prudents always take Thanksgiving and Christmas off from showing, regardless of where they happen to be spending the holidays. "The indoor shows in Europe are Paris, Geneva and Olympia, and even when I was showing, I would never go to Olympia, and I don't let my students go, because it's so important to be with family," Katie says. "We all love to cook and celebrate, so it's so DIY All The Way "We're a very horsey family," admits Wendy Kingsley, a former upper-level eventer who's now married to steeplechase and flat race trainer Arch Kingsley. They keep anywhere from 10 to 20 horses at any given time at their farm in Camden, S.C., and just as many at the nearby track, the Springdale Race Course, so their holidays incorporate their horses as much as possible. "We try to give all the staff off "It's fun for Taylor; she's on those days," says Wendy. "Our a real horse person," says Wendy Kingsley of her 8-yeardaughter [Taylor, who's 8] has never old daughter, pictured with dad known anything different. Arch will Arch, getting to help with barn chores on Christmas morning, usually get up early on Christmas when the family always gives their staff the day off. "She and go to the track. Then we'll get loves making a big fuss over up, and I'll let Taylor open something the horses at Christmas and being their Santa Claus." before we go to the farm. We'll do 60 W INTER 2013 U N TAC K E D important to After marrying Henri Prudent, Katie Prudent be together." (second from left) was to share the This year, determinedThanksgiving tradition of Katie, Henri with her new French family, but finding what Americans and their consider a normal-sized turkey in France proved son, Adam, more troublesome that she plan to spend expected. The first time she brought one herself across Thanksgivthe Atlantic, the entire ing and family gathered around to Christmas in marvel at the bird and pose for a photo with it. France, since their grandmamma passed away. "We do horses 24/7, so those two holidays are the two times a year I take a week off," she says. "It's really important for all of us to be together. Life is great, but family is greater. And family with horses? What could be better?" >> carrots for all the horses and then go to the track to help Arch. When we come back, it's stockings and blueberry pancakes and presents, then we'll start dinner before we head to feed in the evening." The Kingsleys have staff or family over for Christmas dinner if they're around, but Arch's family is from Virginia, and Wendy's is in New England, so they don't spend those holidays with extended family because of the horses. But the schedule suits them well. "It's fun for Taylor; she's a real horse person," Wendy says. "She doesn't just ride, but she loves the horses. She loves the barn and the track and the hot walking. She loves to hold the horses. She wants to learn how to do every aspect of the horse industry, not just ride. She's always excited to go to the barn. "She loves making a big fuss over the horses at Christmas and being their Santa Claus," she continues. "The horses are such a part of her life that it's all engrained and all-encompassing in what she is and what she does. We try to show her as much of the equine industry as we can. That's what's so unique about our business." >> TOD MARKS PHOTO Bringing America To France

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