Luxury is a life lived with horses. The swing of a horse's shoulder at the walk. A tackroom filled with the smell of well-oiled leather and pride in the lifelong care of a cherished piece of tack. Pasture fences that run the landscape, giving definition and meaning. A barn bustling in the wee hours with camaraderie and dedication. The quiet cadence of horses munching hay. Afternoons spent hilltopping after the second cutting. The Whitney blanket your mother's foxhunter wore. The splendid bascule - and total commitment - of the horse as it clears the oxer.... the horseman breathes, strokes the neck - a job well done.
Much like the ringmaster trumpets the start of a Grand Prix event, distinctive luggage announces one's arrivals and departures. Oughton bags evoke a sensibility of long-lasting utility and timeless equestrian traditions... Iconic halter hardware, crafted of solid bronze in Italy. Substantial 22 oz waxed canvas. A careful selection of top-grain leather, rubbed with oil for luster and protection. RiRi zippers, the best in the world... Handcrafted together in a small, top-floor atelier by a handful of second- and third-generation artisans. An heirloom for the next generation, who will wear the patina of your travels with pride. Whether around the ring or around the world, a great trip starts with the right bag.What began as a bench-made, bespoke piece turned into a production sample for a line of equestrian inspired bags, now much expanded beyond purpose-built saddle and boot bags into totes and handbags. "It grew out of my need for a large, tacktrunk-style bag to carry and organize the many things needed for life on the road with horses, going to shows," says founder Daphne Markcrow "so I designed and had a bag custom made. I chose waxed canvas and leather and just fell in love with the way the bag looked and performed, and my friends did too. Waxed canvas is THE perfect material for luggage: exceptionally strong yet lightweight, breathable yet waterproof. It wears beautifully and shows the ‘patina of your life', which I love. In fact, the fabric has a cool history itself. Used by soldiers since the Civil War as ponchos that converted to tents at night , it reminded me of my Grandfather's waxed canvas WWII coat that I love wearing to the barn to do my late night check before I go to bed..."
The classic designs and traditional materials of the Oughton line resonate with customers. They envision them as their own heirlooms, that they will pass to their children, the antithesis of the hi-gloss trendiness that seems to ‘wear us' rather than the other way around. The line is enjoying a cross over market well beyond the showgrounds. They were a huge hit last year at the Hampton Classic Horse Show where Oughton Limited was the official prizing sponsor. Families, for example, that had bought the Tacktrunk bag for their daughter for horse shows, now wanted one for their son going to college. Dads bought it for their quail hunting trip. A rock star even bought one as a touring bag. "Because horse are not merely a sport, but a way of life, these bags are designed to be equally at home off the showgrounds," says Markcrow.
