North Carolina native Daphne Markcrow, a professional equestrian and the founder of Oughton Limited, developed her first creation, the “Tacktrunk Bag,” as a lightweight alternative to the cumbersome wooden tack trunks used on the competitive horse circuit. She worked with a saddle smith to get the details just right, including waxed canvas for the body and Italian bronze halter hardware. There are even specialty compartments for holding a jumping saddle and riding boots.

To Markcrow's surprise, both horse people and regular folks lined up to buy the bag. Turns out the handsome exterior and utilitarian interior pockets were just as attractive to a family of four packing clothes, shoes, and toys for a weekend getaway as they were to the equestrian set. With that in mind, Markcrow designed the rest of her line, from the totes to the girth bags (similar to purses), for both the stable and the town, and the demand has yet to slow down. Fashion-wise, it seems, the horse is out of the barn.