Ekkia

What Ekkia does

Ekkia is a privately-held French brand platform (SAS, founded 1967, headquartered in Haguenau, Alsace) that designs, owns, distributes, and retails equestrian equipment for horses and riders. The company is self-described as the leading European brand platform in its category, organizing operations across three pillars: Creation (a fast-fashion pipeline that renews 30% of the assortment annually across roughly 19,000 product references in 100 families), Brand (proprietary labels including Equithème, Pénélope, Norton, Eric Thomas, Riding World, Feeling, Hippotonic, Choplin, and Horse Pilot acquired in 2025, alongside exclusive European distribution for international brands such as Back On Track, Casco, Komperdell, Wintec, Bates, Sprenger, and Officinalis), and Client (the PADD retail network of 100+ specialty stores in France, established 1974, plus a wholesale channel reaching 2,300 resellers across 73 countries).

Ekkia's revenue model combines product sales of proprietary brands, distribution margin on partner brands (it holds exclusive European rights on approximately 80% of its distributed portfolio), and direct retail revenue from the PADD network, which serves nearly 400,000 consumers annually. The go-to-market blends a B2B field sales team that manages 200–250 accounts each and travels 70,000–80,000 km annually per rep, an EKKIA PRO B2B ordering portal, regional distributors (e.g., Finntack in Scandinavia), and owned PADD storefronts. Logistics run across two platforms totaling 14,000 m² of warehousing.

The company employs ~270 people (FY2024), is led by President Pascal Gautherin, and operates within a European equestrian market growing ~5% per year. Sustainability is a strategic pillar: Ekkia launched the Green Impact label in 2022, committed to B-Corp certification, and was awarded the Alsace Excellence regional label in 2023 following a JM Certification audit. The Horse Pilot acquisition in 2025 expanded the portfolio to nearly 70 brands and added a B-Corp certified premium-technical rider business with distribution in ~40 countries.

Name

Ekkia

Legal name

EKKIA

Website

https://ekkia.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1967

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Ekkia is a privately-held French brand platform (founded 1967, Haguenau) that owns, distributes, and retails equestrian equipment for horses and riders across 73 countries via ~70 owned and distributed brands, 2,300 B2B resellers, and 100+ PADD specialty stores in France.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Equestrian Equipment

NAICS

Pet and Pet Supplies Retailers (45991)

akta.pro primary industry

Pet & Animal Supplies Marketplaces (CRAFABAH)

Keywords

• Equestrian equipment
• Horse rider gear
• Saddlery products
• Equestrian apparel
• Riding accessories

Headquarters

HQ city

Haguenau

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Product Sales - Own Brands: Revenue from proprietary brands including Equithème and Pro Series, Pénélope, Norton, Eric Thomas, Riding World, Feeling, Hippotonic, sold through PADD retail stores and B2B reseller network.
2. Distribution Margins - Partner Brands: Margin earned on distribution of international brands (Back On Track, Casco, Komperdell, Wintec, Bates, Sprenger, Officinalis) across Europe and worldwide, serving as exclusive partner for approximately 80% of distributed brands.
3. PADD Retail Store Revenue: Direct retail revenue from 80+ PADD specialty stores in France, the first French specialty store network in the equestrian world since 1974, with over 100 stores targeted.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Ekkia designs, manufactures, and distributes equestrian equipment for horses and riders. The company operates three strategic platforms: Creation (fast fashion and new product development), Brand (own brands including Equithème, Pénélope, Norton, Eric Thomas, Riding World, Feeling, Hippotonic, Horse Pilot, plus exclusive distribution of international brands such as Back On Track, Casco, Komperdell, Wintec, Bates, Sprenger, Officinalis), and Client (the PADD retail store network of 80+ stores in France). The portfolio spans over 15,000-19,000 product references across nearly 70 brands, sold through 2,300 resellers in 73 countries and direct retail.

Product overview

EKKIA is a leading European B2B platform for equestrian equipment serving horses and riders. The company operates three strategic platforms: Creation (fast fashion and new products), Brand (own brands including Equithème, Pénélope, Norton, Eric Thomas, Riding World, Feeling, Hippotonic, and acquired Horse Pilot; plus distributed international brands such as Back On Track, Casco, Komperdell, Wintec, Bates, Sprenger, Officinalis), and Client (PADD retail network of 100+ stores in France). The portfolio encompasses over 16,000 product references across 100 families and nearly 70 brands. The company also operates EKKIA Pro, a B2B ordering portal for retailers. Green Impact is the company's sustainability label for eco-responsible products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Equithème: Own brand including Equithème Pro Series, a major own brand in the equestrian equipment portfolio
• Pénélope
• Norton
• Eric Thomas
• Riding World
• Feeling
• Hippotonic
• PADD
• Horse Pilot
• Green Impact

Quantifiable outcome

• Serving 2,300 resellers in 73 countries
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Horse PilotcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025EKKIA SPORT acquired 100% of Horse Pilot capital in 2025. Founded in 2010 at Cysoing (Nord) by Simon Dewavrin, Aurélien Guillon and Guillaume Janin, Horse Pilot is a B-Corp certified French brand known for technical, functional, and contemporary equestrian products. The acquisition strengthens EKKIA's premium and technical rider equipment segment and gives Horse Pilot access to 100 PADD stores and 2,000+ resellers in 70+ countries.
• FinntackcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFinntack is a Scandinavian equestrian company (€10M revenue, double-digit growth) distributing Ekkia products in Nordic markets (Norway, Finland, Scandinavia). Codirected by Denis Marques ('Le Viking'), the company originally focused on trot racing and has expanded to broader equitation market with strong e-commerce presence.
• Back On TrackminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational equestrian brand distributed exclusively by EKKIA in Europe and worldwide as part of their partner brand portfolio.
• CascominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational helmet and safety brand distributed exclusively by EKKIA in Europe and worldwide.
• KomperdellminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAustrian equestrian equipment brand distributed exclusively by EKKIA in Europe and worldwide.
• WintecminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAustralian saddle and equestrian equipment brand distributed exclusively by EKKIA in Europe.
• BatesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAustralian equestrian saddle brand distributed exclusively by EKKIA in Europe.
• SprengerminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGerman equestrian equipment and bits brand distributed exclusively by EKKIA in Europe and worldwide.
• OfficinalisminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorItalian equestrian care and veterinary products brand distributed exclusively by EKKIA in Europe and worldwide.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Horseware Ireland: Irish equestrian equipment manufacturer (rugs, blankets, technical apparel) with global distribution. Directly comparable to Ekkia as a multi-brand equestrian equipment platform with both own-brand manufacturing and international wholesale distribution.
• Weatherbeeta: Australian horse rug and turnout blanket manufacturer with global distribution. Comparable to Ekkia as an internationally distributed equestrian equipment manufacturer serving specialty retail channels.
• LeMieux: UK-based equestrian brand specializing in technical saddle pads, rider wear, and accessories, distributed globally. Comparable to Ekkia's owned-brand portfolio model with strong DTC and B2B distribution.
• Samshield: French premium equestrian helmet and rider equipment brand, distributed in specialty equestrian retail. Direct competitor in the helmet and protective gear category, sharing the French market with Ekkia's Equithème and Choplin brands.
• Agradi: Netherlands-based equestrian e-commerce retailer and distributor. Comparable to Ekkia as a multi-brand equestrian distribution platform, though more DTC-focused and regional (Benelux).
• Charles Owen: UK-based equestrian helmet manufacturer and safety equipment brand, sold through specialty retailers worldwide. Comparable as a safety/helmet brand within the broader equestrian equipment category Ekkia distributes.
• Horze: Finnish equestrian e-commerce retailer distributing multiple brands across Europe. Comparable as a multi-brand equestrian distribution and retail platform with international reach, serving a similar end consumer to PADD.
• Cavalleria Toscana: Italian premium equestrian fashion brand sold in specialty retailers and high-end DTC channels. Comparable as a premium owned-brand riding apparel competitor targeting the same specialty retailer base Ekkia serves.
• Eskadron / Pikeur: German equestrian equipment brand known for horse rugs, boots, and rider accessories, distributed across Europe. Comparable to Ekkia's distributed brand portfolio model.
• Pikeur / Equiva Group: German equestrian apparel brand (Pikeur, Cavallo) integrated with Equiva retail chain, combining brand portfolio and specialty store network. Closely comparable to Ekkia's three-platform model of own brands, distributed brands, and PADD retail.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights8 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ekkia3663
• Facebookfacebook.com/equitheme2
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ekkia-s-a-s

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors6 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ekkia