Saddle patterns hanging in the Sellerie Cassou workshop

The Sellerie Cassou workshop in Bénéjacq

View racing saddles Write to the workshop

A family workshop in Béarn — Skills passed down through generations — Best Craftsman of France — saddlery, 1982 — EPV-certified expertise in 2020 — Saddles, bridles and textiles — Customers in France and abroad — A family workshop in Béarn — Skills passed down through generations — Best Craftsman of France — saddlery, 1982 — EPV-certified expertise in 2020 — Saddles, bridles and textiles — Customers in France and abroad —

Workspace with rolls of material and leather pieces at Sellerie Cassou

Our Origins

From Argentina to Bénéjacq's workshop.

At the end of the 19th century, an ancestor of the Cassou family went to Argentina to learn the trade of a saddler. Back in Béarn, he set up his workshop in the family home and made harnesses for draft horses and carriages.

The family also worked for the donkeys of Gavarnie. Then the business expanded into riding before specializing in horse racing equipment: racing and training saddles, bridles, girths, and textile items.

Even today, old cutting tools and workbenches stand alongside modern production in Bénéjacq.

Craftsperson stitching a bridle component in the Sellerie Cassou workshop

Lineage

Skills passed down through generations

François Cassou was named Best Craftsman of France in saddlery in 1982 for a handmade riding saddle. His son Pierre continues the family's work with saddles, while the family develops bridles and equipment for racing professionals.

Jean-Baptiste Cassou-Debat joined the company in 2016 and now manages it, according to his own account. The workshop brings together five people with complementary skills in saddlery, bridle-making, sewing, and textiles. The company's expertise was recognized with the Living Heritage Company label in 2020.

Manufacturing

What We Make

01

Saddles

Racing and training saddles, with models and weights suited to their use.

02

Bridles

Bridles, leather or BioThane reins, girths and other horse racing equipment handcrafted in our workshop.

03

Horse textiles

Exercise sheets and horse sheets for horses in training and at the races.

Craftsperson preparing bridle straps in the Sellerie Cassou workshop

Expertise

Leather, tools and technique

In the old workshop, the table, workbenches and sewing machine tell the story of the craft’s continuity. Awls and half-moon knives are still used to work leather.

Each specialty has its place: Pierre Cassou-Debat brings his experience in saddle-making; his sister works on the lightweight pieces intended for jockeys, by hand as well as by machine. Two employees complete the team, particularly in textiles and bridle-making.

This diversity of skills makes it possible to manufacture, fit and, when the condition of the piece allows, repair the house’s equipment in the same workshop.

A workshop from Béarn, customers beyond borders

Word of mouth has taken Cassou saddles and bridles as far as Australia, Japan and Hong Kong. Jean-Baptiste himself travelled to Australia to nurture this relationship with racing professionals.

Production remains based in Bénéjacq.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Workshop

Our saddles are made in the Bénéjacq family workshop in Béarn. Sellerie Cassou also has a shop near the Pau racecourse.

We work from established models and assembly ranges. Depending on the piece, certain elements can be customized, such as weight, length, or finishes. Contact the workshop to learn about the options available for your chosen model.

The workshop repairs the flaps, panel stitching and certain trees on its own saddles. It also works on reins and girth elastic. Feasibility depends on the item’s condition: tell us what needs repairing.

Yes. Sellerie Cassou maintains relationships with professionals in Australia, Japan, and Hong Kong, in addition to its clientele in France. Contact us to discuss an order and shipping arrangements to your country.

Yes, under the heading "The Workshop's Selection": helmets, bits, and jockey apparel from third-party brands that we use and recommend. These are products that we distribute, not manufacture.