“Irish banks and ditches”—in the fox hunting world, that phrase conjures up one of the most challenging experiences that a rider can face in the hunt field. Well, at least so I’d heard, from both hunting friends and the Irish-born huntsman, Barry Magner, of our own Middleburg Hunt, (Va.), not having experienced hunting internationally.

The Masters of Foxhounds Association has announced they are offering $750 in cash and prizes to a hunt member and a hunt club that uses registered Thoroughbreds who are excelling in second careers as either field or staff horses.

“There are a great number of excellent Thoroughbreds in hunts across America,” said Ed Kelly, president of the board of MFHA. “We’re pleased to honor these exceptional athletes, many of whom have found productive second careers through MFHA registered hunts.”

I got pregnant when I was 38. When that happened, my obstetrician handed me a chart with all the stats that didn’t inspire much confidence in my odds of a perfectly healthy baby. I got lucky. Henry arrived with all the required pieces and parts. I tried to have a perfect pregnancy, and I was determined to be a perfect mother. It would’ve been a huge help if my doctor handed me a chart that showed the odds of that not being in my favor either.

On Thanksgiving, Grosvenor Merle-Smith, jt-MFH of Tennessee Valley Hunt, decided to whip in the entire hunt with a turkey on his head. Over coops, on a run, gathering hounds, etc. It never came off, even when ducking under the low branches over the skinny coop. Gro never met a costume contest he didn't win.

Have you got a favorite Thanksgiving hunting or horse-related story? How about a funny caption for this photo? Share it in the comments.

Happy Thanksgiving!