Made in Béarn
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Possible models and adaptations
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Carbon tree
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Customers in France and abroad
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Made in France
—
Leather crafted in the workshop
—
Made in Béarn
—
Possible models and adaptations
—
Carbon tree
—
Customers in France and abroad
—
Made in France
—
Leather crafted in the workshop
—
The House
Skills come together at Bénéjacq
In the Bénéjacq family workshop, five people combine their skills to make saddles, bridles and textile items for horse racing. Pierre Cassou-Debat passes on his expertise in saddle-making; his sister notably makes the lightweight items for jockeys. Jean-Baptiste takes part in production and helps customers choose their equipment.
THE STEPS
The manufacturing steps of a saddle
01
Define the use
Racing or training: the model is first chosen according to the work required in the saddle.
02
Choose the construction
Some training models have a half-tree, while racing saddles may have a carbon tree: each construction is designed for a particular use.
03
Prepare the materials
The leather is worked using the workshop's tools; other pieces incorporate textiles or BioThane.
04
Assemble the saddle
The flaps, seat, panels and girth straps are assembled to the specifications of each model.
05
Sew and adjust
The workshop combines hand sewing and machine sewing depending on the pieces and manufacturing constraints.
06
Choose the finishes
Depending on the model, the leather, edges, stitching, and certain details can be customized.
07
Check the weight
For a racing saddle, weight is one of the points to discuss with the jockey before settling on a configuration.
08
Track the item
Knowledge of its own craftsmanship also allows the workshop to consider certain repairs later on.
Weight
Weight, saddle trees and carbon fibre
When racing, the jockey chooses their saddle with the target weight in mind. The workshop makes lightweight carbon-tree models and models that can accommodate ballast, depending on the configuration.
Weight is not the only criterion: seat size, construction, and use also matter. Speak with the workshop to identify the models and possible adaptations.
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 made for training and racing.
The hand and the machine, according to the piece
Making a saddle or bridle involves several steps: cutting, preparing, assembling, and sewing. In the workshop, seams are sewn by hand or by machine, depending on the piece and its function.
Lightweight pieces designed for jockeys require particular expertise in sewing and bonding. Traditional tools are used alongside modern techniques and materials.
Your saddle: from choosing the model to the finishing touches
1 - Discipline and Use.
Flat racing, jump racing or training: specify the use to choose a suitable saddle from the workshop's models.
2 - Target weight.
It’s the starting point of the conversation, not a checkout option.
3 - Leather.
Depending on the model, you can discuss the leather and certain finishes with the workshop.
4 - Measurements.
The workshop offers standard seat sizes. Certain lengths or dimensions can be adjusted within the limits of each model.
5- Stable colors.
Discuss leather colours, thread colours and available finishes for your saddle with the workshop. Stable colours can also feature on exercise sheets, horse sheets and browbands: discover the options on our personalisation page.
6 - The initials and the embroidery.
Depending on the model, your initials can be sewn onto the saddle. Embroidery is available for items such as exercise sheets and horse sheets. Please specify the item and the desired marking so that the workshop can confirm whether it can be carried out.
7 - Matching bridles and tack.
The company also makes billets, reins, and girths. Ask the workshop which items can be matched to your saddle.
Slideshow
Contact
Talk to the workshop
Most orders start with a conversation: a target weight, a difficult horse to tack up, a stable color to match. Write to us, or visit the shop in Pau.