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"We're not really big holiday, tradition people," says the queen of hunter derbies, Kelley Farmer. "It's kind of just another day. We're in Kentucky through November, and then we head to Florida by the time the holidays roll around." Kelley's mother, Bibby Farmer Hill, lives in Florida, so Kelley and partner Larry Glefke prioritize spending time with her during the holidays. "It just depends on what's going on with our horses and where they're going," she says. "Sometimes we get lucky and get everyone together, but we're horse show people, so we can't usually figure that out. It's horses; it never stops." >> Homemade With Love When California eventer Jennifer McFall isn't out with the horses, she's usually in the kitchen, and around the holidays she's much more likely to be found in the latter. "I'm a bit of a Suzy Homemaker in my free time," she says, laughing. "I do a lot of canning and homemade goods that I give away at Christmas. I like to grow things myself and can them. One year I decided to grow loofahs and give those away. I always do my berry jams, and [my husband] Earl and [daughter] Taylor go out and harvest for me, and they always complain that I make them pick blackberries in 105 degrees!" The McFalls normally spend Thanksgiving with Earl's family in Florida, and they love their newfound tradition of hitting the beach in November. During Christmastime, however, they generally stay home at their Dragonfire Farm in Wilton, Ca- 64 W INTER 2013 U N TAC K E D lif., just outside of Sacramento. "We give our staff time off and take care of the horses," Jennifer says. "We like to do sewing projects with Earl's mom during Christmas. We just stick to family stuff. We also bake for our horses." So, what's Jennifer's secret horse treat recipe? "Basically equal parts grain, flour, oats and molasses with a mint on top," she said. "Bake at 200 degrees for about an hour until they're hard." Taylor, however, probably won't be getting a pony for Christmas any time soon. The 10-year-old rider has developed quite a following on YouTube since she was just a wee little girl hopping over crossrails. "If Taylor got a Christmas pony, I don't know what we'd do," Jennifer says with a laugh. "She already has about five! She has a pony she's outgrown, a pony she rides now, and a pony we bred for her who's 2." >> 4 4 "We're out in the woods, in the wilderness." —Rich Fellers Let Them See Snow Jumper riders Jimmy and Danielle Torano don't show during the month of December—they choose to spend time with family instead. This year, they plan on heading to New York City for the holidays. "[Our kids] Natalia and Jimmy are 6 and 3, now," says Jimmy. "We took Natalia to New York a few years ago to see the snow, but Jimmy hasn't seen it yet. We just like to go and see the city and the lights, and we just think that time of year is so nice for them. We like that time of the year in the city." In their younger years, the Toranos, who are based in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. and Mohrsville, Pa., usually spent Thanksgiving competing. But in recent years, they've been happy to adapt their traditions. "The horses are still in work, but we go so hard all year, so we really let everyone get some down time. This is what we do all the time—we show, we go all over the country," says Jimmy. "So as I get older, with my own kids and family, the holidays are important for us for family time. I'm from Miami, so we go down there and spend it with my family." PAMPALINI/ISTOCK.COM PHOTO Just Another Day

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