THE LUXURY OF SHOOTING IN STYLE

Forget those movie images of a gaggle of eccentric toffs gathering at a country house for shenanigans and a sideshow of shooting. The British shoot industry is a serious business, worth a staggering £2.2 billion to the UK economy, attracting followers from around the world, and supporting a wide range of services in the countryside.

In the past, taking part was largely by personal invitation. But as interest has grown in the sport, corporate groups, overseas visitors and those well heeled City boys have sought access. This was something of a hit and miss affair – until GunsonPegs came on the scene.

The website acts as a marriage broker, bringing would-be guns together with shoot organisers. It filled a gap in the market that was so wide they have registered nearly 13,000 members in the two years that they have been established. It’s a free service to both sides of the equation, and the site also provides a wealth of information for newcomers as well as old hands.

The jacket pictured above illustrates the combination of practicality and style that the collection by Roubi l'Roubi offers. Below, GunsonPegs directors, Christopher and James Horne out in the field in their old clobber, which they have now switched for Roubi's designs.

It was the brainchild of James Horne, who sold his major food business and retired, only to become bored and to look for a new interest. His passion was shooting and he perceived a niche that he might fill, and so, voila, GunsonPegs. (For the uninitiated, numbered pegs are used to mark areas for gun groups, and each member of a shoot is given a peg number.)

“Our success has been phenomenal,” he said, “and we are signing up new members all the time, every day.” Son Christopher has joined him in the business, who not only follows his father in being equally keen on the sport, but his grandfather too. “There’s no age barrier in shoots,” said James Horne. “There can be the three generations of us shooting in a line.”

Coverage on the site has grown exponentially to encompass anything to do with the shooting scene, from suitable hotels to courses in off-road driving run by Land Rover. And now it is also offering its own bespoke clothing service.

A prototype collection to carry the label above has been put together by designer Roubi l’Rouibi (see below), with practical input from the two Hornes. "I'm absolutely delighted with what Roubi has designed for us," said Horne, "The garments are entirely practical, as Christopher and I have both tried them. And though some of the older guns may raise their eyebrows, the younger guns will like the style. I love it."

Presented on the GunsonPegs website, the collection will have its first public airing at the Country Landowners Association Fair in July on the GunsonPegs stand. Fittings may take place at their showroom in Jermyn Street. Go to www.gunsonpegs.com

DESIGNER HITS TARGET WITH TAILORING

"I don't want a breast pocket or a collar that might catch on my gun," James Horne told designer Roubi l' Roubi, as the designer prepared prototypes for the first GunsonPegs collection of clothes.

This and other practical advice from the club's two directors helped Roubi come up with his collection. And though it seemed that no new spin could be spun on the classic British country look, Roubi has managed it.

The result certainly won’t frighten the horses, nor the dogs or game, but it may raise some eyebrows amongst more reactionary shoot enthusiasts because it looks so good.

Designed and made to the esoteric requirements of a man and his gun, it features jacket backs with the box pleats of a Norfolk that ensure ease of movement, fronts sans breast pockets that may interfere with a gun’s placement, and a smooth, collarless neckline that won’t catch on a gun.

Made in classically checked Harris Tweeds, each design features meticulous details, such as leather linings to the cuffs, leather piping along the neckline. The jackets may be teamed with breeks that have four-button cuff fastenings, again with leather trim – or there are classic trousers as an alternative for when the shoot has finished.

Above, jacket back with box pleats; left, jacket showing the smooth, collarless neckline and without breast pocket, teamed with matching breeks; below, shooting vest.

Shooting vests and corduroy jackets are also included, and for the man who doesn’t mind standing out in the crowd, there's a splendid tweed overcoat. It is long enough to protect the legs, again with a Norfolk back, and with deep, capacious bellows pockets. An optional fur collar is for the extrovert.

Hats designed by Roubi may seem rather more suited to a fashion catwalk than a country estate - but give it time. The interchange between urban enthusiasts and country pursuits continues apace, with town coming to country and vice versa. Remember, the bowler hat started life as a riding hat. www.roubi.eu

See also SR Collection for a special cape.