She Wears 18th Century Riding Habits

Tippecanoe County, where I live, is chock full of early American history, from the Battle of Tippecanoe in the early 19th century, to Fort Ouiatenon, a 1717 French fort that was located on the Wabash River when this part of Indiana was just a wilderness.

Every year a celebration of life at the fort and the peoples who passed through it (Native Americans, the British, French, and Scottish, French voyageurs, fur trappers, and settlers) is held. Called The Feast of the Hunters Moon, life at the fort in the early 18th century is re-enacted for two days every October on the grounds of Fort Ouiatenon. 

 My horse-loving sister, Leslie, is the director of the event.

Leslie has been horsey all her life, just like me. This is Leslie on my first horse, Amy (Abby's virtual twin), in 1973.

 And this is Les on her first horse, Pokey, in 1971.

Participants in The Feast of the Hunters' Moon are expected to dress in period clothing and so, as a nod to her own horsey-ness, Leslie always wears an 18th century riding habit.

Leslie being escorted by her husband, Rick, as they lead the procession of re-enactors to the blockhouse of the fort for opening ceremonies of the event.

I have no idea how many of these habits she has, but I drool over them and love looking at photos of them. (See the riding crop in her hand?)

All that gold braid had to be sewn on by hand. I can only imagine how much work that was.

Leslie's 18th century riding habits are stunning.

 Here's a good photo of the blockhouse with Leslie and Rick standing in front of it.

Can you see the stock at her neck? The stock originally was a functional piece of riding clothes and would be used as bandages for injuries.

In her role as Feast director, Leslie gets to wander around the grounds of Fort Ouiatenon for two days in her gorgeous riding habits. (And really, she doesn't wander; there's a walkie talkie in her pocket and she is constantly checking to be sure everything is on schedule and flowing smoothly. If a problem crops up, she has to fix it.)

Know what else is in her pocket? 

Really! Hershey Bars are her stress reliever, and even though they had not been invented in 1717, she can break off a piece and pop it into her mouth without anybody knowing! I like to tease her about that.

French voyageurs and a Catholic priest coming down the Wabash River to trade furs and goods with those who are at Fort Ouiatenon.

Another group of traders approaches from downriver. (I love this photo because you can see so much of the river.)

 Native Americans.

 Three different military groups during the opening ceremonies.

Guess who is toying with the idea of making herself a riding habit for next year?