The Etsy Equestrians #3:
Carla of The Frugal Foxhunter

Carla LaFleur, is an avid foxhunter from the Washington D.C. area who half-leases, in her words, “a disgruntled OTTB” named Lefty, and she’s the third horsegirl to be featured in our Etsy Equestrian series. Carla blogs and hosts an equestrian pen pal group at The Frugal Foxhunter. She also sells framed bits on Etsy that I think look Ralph Lauren-esque. Read on to find out about her recent foxhunting adventure in the UK and how to prepare for foxhunting if you’ve never been. You’ll also find out why foxhunting is such a unique and possibly addictive equestrian sport.

This post contains affiliate links.

You recently went on a foxhunting adventure in England. What was that like?

It was completely nerve-wracking until I sat on my hireling horse, who was the epitome of class. I was so worried about logistics–trains, my cell phone working, my ride to the barn showing up on time, remembering my hairnet, etc. But when I swung into the saddle and took off to the meet at a smart trot, I felt completely at home.

The weather was horrifying–the ground had frozen the night before, so the footing ranged from icy to muddy and deep depending on where the sun was shining. That also made scenting conditions pretty bad, so it was a slow day (a blessing in disguise, considering the bad footing). Because it was the middle of winter, and all the trees were bare, we had a really great view of the hounds most of the time, and I also saw some muntjacs, which I had no idea even existed until that day.

I knew hunting in England would be a new experience, but I did not expect to discover a new species! Overall it was such a fun day. Small group, but incredibly welcoming.

What drew you to foxhunting and how would you describe the experience for riders that have never been on a foxhunt?

I started half-leasing a dressage horse, then I ran screaming the opposite direction.

Somewhat kidding, but that is what happened. Once I finally had some extra money each month, I immediately started looking for a horse to half-lease, and settled on the first one I tried. Novice mistake.

The horse was tall, dark, handsome and perfectly fine to ride, but had serious ground issues I did not know how to fix. I would get so down on myself that I didn’t want to go to the barn at all…long drive, a horse with no regard for personal space, and beating myself up for my complete inability to get my horse on the bit was really getting to me. I needed to do something completely different.

I always had foxhunting in the back of my mind, ever since I read the Rita Mae Brown mystery books growing up. Fortuitously, I heard about a barn called Hunter’s Rest in Virginia that specialized in bringing along newbie foxhunters, and I gave them a call. A few trail rides later, I went on my first hunt with Old Dominion in third field. From the time I felt the ground rumbling around me from so many horses trotting together, I was hooked. We also were lucky enough to view the fox that day!

If you’ve never hunted before, there is very little to compare it to. It’s not like a trail ride. You do things you would never dream of doing if you weren’t trying to keep up with hounds. Knee-high water crossings, seven-board coops, bushwacking through branches that threaten to stab you in the eye–so many times, I’ve looked back and thought “Wow, I can’t believe I did that!” It’s given me a lot of confidence and made me realize horses are capable of much more than I had ever asked of them before.

Mostly I love the fact that hounds, horses, adults and kids can all enjoy the same thing. It is beautiful to see animals do what they were born to do. Horses love the herd aspect. They want to stay together, and I think jumping a coop or a log to get from Point A to Point B makes sense to them. Hounds are bred for scenting, and people of course are hunters too.

[Susan’s note: I had never heard of the Rita Mae Brown series, but with titles like Outfoxed, Hotspur, and The Hounds and the Fury, I definitely need to put these on my reading list. Thanks for the recommendation, Carla!]

What type of horse do you ride/own/hunt? How did you find him?

I lease an ornery bay Thoroughbred named Lefty. (Full name is Left Her Smilin’, or Left Her Snarlin’, depending.) He belongs to a wonderful friend of mine who has become my foxhunting mentor, and finding him was pretty easy–she just offered to lease him to me at my first hunt ball. (Finding a hunt horse for lease is not easy–most people own their horses.) The one thing he loves in life is hunting, and he hates everything else, though I do make him tolerate dressage and groundwork.

I would highly recommend basic dressage to any foxhunter. It helps a lot when the huntsman is blasting past you on a narrow trail to be able to neatly leg yield your horse into the woods. (And you get to smugly feel superior to everyone whose horses are scattered everywhere like bowling pins.)

How would someone who has never been hunting figure out where to foxhunt and how to get involved?

Look at the Masters of Foxhounds Association website. They have a map of all the hunts in the USA, so find the one closest to you. Contact the Hunt Secretary and ask how to get started. (Contact info is also available from the MFHA.) Phone is usually the most reliable method (for all horse people, I’ve found), so be persistent and polite.

Foxhunters LOVE to share their sport. Without new people who fall in love with it, foxhunting would not survive! You will want to borrow or hire an experienced hunt horse for your first foxhunting experiences. This is critical for your own safety and that of your horse. Green on green makes black and blue! The hunt secretary can point you to a member of the hunt or hireling barn that can help arrange a horse for you.

Read “Riding to Hounds in America” before you show up. It has all the info you need on what to wear and how not to embarrass yourself. Available in most tack shops for $5 or call the publisher, Chronicle of the Horse, to order directly from them. (Don’t pay $95 or whatever crazy price is on Amazon–it’s a 40 page booklet, not some antique tome.)

Trail ride as much as you can to build your own confidence, bring your cap fee and something tasty for the tailgate, and you’re golden! People often worry about all the rules and etiquette of foxhunting (I certainly did). All of the rules are typically related to safety and practicality. As long as you are doing your best to be correct and safe, it’s fine. We’ve all been beginners at one point! Any hunt member who has their colors (scarlet coat for men, black coat with hunt colors on the collar for ladies) can help you if you have any problem.

Tell us about your Etsy equestrian shop and products.

It’s the Frugal Foxhunter on Etsy. I started making framed bits on canvas when I saw a picture on Pinterest of something similar, probably 5 years ago at this point. I’ve been giving them as gifts for a few years now and just started selling them! So far I’ve made a few sales and I’m adding patterned stock ties to the store as well, to go with tweed coats for autumn hunting. The whole theme is rustic equestrian chic.

Describe your blog: how did you choose the name, when did you start, how you would you describe your niche.

The “Frugal Foxhunter” name just seemed like the obvious fit. When I started foxhunting, I was in the writing/editorial field and there was very limited money to throw into the bottomless pit of my horse habit. I had to be very intentional with how I spent, buy supplies used, and learn how to do a lot of things myself (braiding, clipping, etc.).

Foxhunting is actually one of the most affordable horse sports you can do. Annual hunt club dues tend to range from $800-$2000 for adults (often cheaper for juniors and younger adults), which is EASILY what you could spend if you attend multiple shows per year and pay for coaching, stabling, clipping, braiding, and so on. I like that in foxhunting, it’s all about utility. While you can make it as expensive as you want, you don’t need a coach (though it’s not a bad idea to have one on call!), a braider, or a certain brand of breeches. In fact, I found that going the DIY route for a lot of the horse management (clipping, braiding, conditioning, etc.) actually added to my enjoyment of the sport.

To me, being a frugal foxhunter is not about being cheap. (Though I do enjoy not spending money.) It’s really more about spending money and time in an intentional way that actually makes a positive change in my life. In my blog I like to focus on the RIDING and not the STUFF. I think it can be so tempting to focus on the latest, greatest French saddle or whatever kind of belt or special stirrup leathers are trendy right now. Really, you don’t need any of that crap to have really awesome adventures with your horse.

What’s the greatest challenge and joy you face in your equestrian life?

Greatest challenge: Saying No. There is ALWAYS a fun adventure happening with foxhunters–trips, dinners, a free horse they’re offering you…if cost was no object I would do it all. But being a boring stick in the mud, I am really committed to being financially responsible with my horse habit.

Greatest joy: 1) The fact that my horse brings me home safe every day. 2) The wonderful friendships I have made in the hunt field. I never thought I was a social person at ALL until I met foxhunters. They’ve really helped me to come out of my shell and actually enjoy parties! (As long as it’s a party of horse people.)

What do you do for work?

I work at a fee-only, independent, fiduciary wealth management firm. I handle the PR and communications. I am really proud to work at a firm that puts the client’s best interest before all else. Not all do. It took me a year of job searching to find a firm that I felt was truly ethical.

Where do you live and what’s the horse scene like there?

I live in the Washington D.C. suburbs–it is horse heaven. We’ve got Area II eventing, fancy pants dressage people, hunter/jumper types who go to Washington International like it’s no big deal, etc. For foxhunters and trail riders in my area, we have the Montgomery County Agricultural Preserve. Endless trails and land that is protected forever through easements, although encroaching development is definitely a concern in such a busy metro area. I feel really lucky in where I live.

Who do you regard as a hero or look to for inspiration in the horse world?

Charlotte Dujardin. Maybe that’s a boring choice anyone would say. But I just adore her and Valegro. I have actually cried watching them work together and I can’t wait to read her biography.

Do you have any horse-related bucket list items you’d like to cross off?

I don’t know that I have the balls–but hunting in Ireland. Probably more realistic for me, though, is hunting coyote out west. I would like to ride out West in general.

And of course eventually buying a horse! But there is a plan, it will simply take time.

How do your friends describe you?

I took a quick poll. I highly recommend anyone do this because it’s a huge ego booster.

“Reserved but secretly goofy.”

“A person who thinks things through very well, is reliable and rational, with very good dark humor, very knowledgeable and curious about new things to learn or do, persistent, ambitious, and I always got the feeling that conversations with you are never small talk, because you actually always seem to listen.”

Thanks, Carla for sharing your story!    

You might also enjoy reading the other two blog posts in this series, The Etsy Equestrians #1: Amanda of Bel Joeor and The Etsy Equestrians #2 Tracy of Printable Pony.

Leave a comment: Have you ever been foxhunting? If you were invited to foxhunt, would you go?

You’re Invited. . . If you are not on my email list for very important horse lovers, please sign up. You’ll get the inside scoop about fun new products and other horsey inspiration via twice-a month emails. To get on the list simply click here.

Trot along with my OTTB Knight and me on all the fabulous social media outlets Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.