SELLERIE BUTET

What SELLERIE BUTET does

SELLERIE BUTET is a French luxury saddlery founded in 1986 by Frédéric Butet in Saumur, France, producing high-end custom-made equestrian saddles and tack under the LIM Group holding structure. The company operates from its main workshop in Saint-Hilaire-Saint-Florent (Saumur), a registered headquarters also in Saumur, and a North American sales office in Wellington, Florida (LIM USA INC.). It holds the EPV (Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant / Living Heritage Company) label from the French State, renewed in 2025, recognizing its 40+ years of artisanal craftsmanship.

The company's core product is custom saddles assembled by hand from approximately 90 pieces of leather each, using traditional French saddlery techniques combined with proprietary high-performance machinery for seat stitching. The product range spans jumping saddles (Flat, Semi-Flat, Semi-Deep, Deep, Full-Leather), dressage saddles, cross-country/eventing saddles, and the Practice training saddle, plus tack and accessories (boots, bridles, stirrup leathers, girths, saddle pads, Akène leather care range), limited-edition collaborations (e.g., BUTET x ORLINSKI), and a secondary market for pre-owned saddles ("La Braderie"). All saddles are fully customized — seat sizes 16-19 inches, leather in Gold, Cachou, or Black, personalized plates, and discipline-specific configurations.

Revenue is generated through one-time custom saddle purchases (quote-based pricing due to full customization, with disclosed practice saddle pricing at US$5,875) and accessory sales (Akène soap at US$50, saddle pads at US$470, stirrup leathers from US$350), distributed through direct e-commerce (eu.butet.fr, north-america.butet.fr), a global network of expert saddlemakers across 26+ European countries, and direct sales operations in the US and Canada. Customer segments include professional equestrian riders (sponsored athletes such as Harry Charles, Edouard Schmitz, Jana Wargers, Ioli Mytilineou, Tiffany Foster), US hunter discipline riders, and amateur/enthusiast riders. The company employs approximately 30 saddlers and celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2026.

Name

SELLERIE BUTET

Legal name

BUTET SELLIER (Frédéric Butet SAS)

Website

https://butet.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SELLERIE BUTET, founded in 1986 in Saumur, France, is a luxury custom-made saddlery producing high-end leather equestrian saddles and tack. The company serves professional riders, hunter discipline competitors, and amateur enthusiasts across Europe, North America, and 33+ countries through direct sales and a saddlemaker network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Custom Equestrian Saddlery

NAICS

Other Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing (316990), Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing (316)

SIC

Leather & Leather Products (3100)

akta.pro primary industry

Leather Handbags & Totes (CRAKAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Leather Goods Components & Subassemblies Manufacturing (Straps/Handles/Hardware Assemblies) (IMAOAHAI)

Keywords

• Custom made saddles
• Equestrian leather goods
• Horse riding equipment
• Luxury equestrian saddlery
• Handcrafted leather saddles

Headquarters

HQ city

Saumur

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Custom Saddle Sales: High-end custom-made saddles sold as one-time purchases with full customization options. Products include jumping, dressage, eventing, and practice saddles with various seat depths and leather options.
2. Tack and Accessories: Riding tack including boots, fetlock boots, bridles, girths, stirrup leathers, saddle pads, and care products (Akene soap, cream, oil).
3. Used/Pre-owned Saddles: La Braderie section offers vintage and second-quality saddles and tack at reduced prices, providing sustainable consumption options.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

SELLERIE BUTET is a French saddlery that designs and manufactures high-end custom-made leather saddles and equestrian tack from its workshop in Saumur. Each saddle is built from approximately 90 pieces of leather, hand-measured, cut, and assembled to customer specifications covering seat size, leather type, flap configuration, and discipline (jumping, dressage, eventing, practice). The portfolio also includes bridles, stirrup leathers, boots, girths, saddle pads, Akène leather care products, and a secondary market for pre-owned saddles.

Product overview

BUTET is a high-end custom made saddlery company founded in 1986 in Saumur, France, operating under the LIM Group. The company produces luxury leather saddles (jumping, dressage, cross country, practice) with a minimalist, elegant design and exceptional finish. The product portfolio includes: core saddle products (Flat, Semi-Flat, Semi-Deep, Deep, and Full-Leather saddles across jumping and dressage disciplines, plus Practice/training saddles), tack and accessories (boots, bridles, stirrup leathers, girths, saddle pads, care products including the Akène soap/cream/oil range), used/pre-owned saddles, and limited edition collaborations. All products are 100% Made in France with artisanship centered in Saumur workshops, combining accuracy and distinction in French saddlemaking. The company holds EPV (Living Heritage Company) certification and recently celebrated its 40th anniversary with a collaboration with artist Richard Orlinski.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Jumping Saddles (Flat, Semi-Flat, Semi-Deep, Deep, and Full-Leather variants) High-end custom-made jumping saddles with minimalist, elegant design and unequalled finish. Configurations include Flat (balanced jumping position with great freedom of movement), Semi-Flat (semi-flat seat with freedom of movement and rider position maintenance), Semi-Deep (latest addition for more substantial support and multidisciplinary riding), Deep (seated riding position maintenance), and Full-Leather (iconic sports saddle ensuring harmony between rider and horse). Calf-skin lined versions promote leg stability. Each saddle is entirely customized in seat size, leather type, and finish. Made in France in Saumur since 1986.
• Dressage Saddles Custom-made dressage saddles representing French haute sellerie craftsmanship excellence, designed for the dressage discipline and tailored to rider and horse specifications.
• Cross Country Saddles Custom-made cross country saddles designed specifically for the eventing/cross-country discipline, built to Butet's bespoke standards in the Saumur workshop.
• Practice Saddle (Selle Practice) The archetypal training saddle in the BUTET range based on the flat seat model, with smaller flaps than classic saddles for close contact with the horse. Promotes better feel of movements and refined aids, helping riders work on and improve their position at any riding level. Fully customized with grained calf leather options (Gold, Cachou, or Black) and 16-19 inch seat sizes. US$5,875. Originally born in 2009 as 'Proto' and renamed in 2011.
• BUTET x ORLINSKI Limited Edition Saddle Limited collaboration celebrating BUTET's 40th anniversary with contemporary artist Richard Orlinski. A series of 40 numbered and signed saddles featuring Orlinski's signature facet design on iconic BUTET leather in gold, cachou, and black. Each saddle is custom-made piece by piece in the Saumur workshop.
• Bridles (BUTET Bridles Range) New collection of bridles combining elegance and comfort, crafted with premium materials and meticulous design to enhance each horse while offering a perfect fit.
• Standard Lined Stirrups (23mm) Classic calf-lined stirrup leathers with nylon inner strap that prevents leather from loosening. Seams finished in saddle stitch. Available in Gold, Cachou and Black leather colors, in sizes from 40 inch/100 cm to 160 cm/64 inch. Starting price US$350.
• Standard Lined Stirrups (25mm) Classic calf-lined stirrup leathers with nylon inner strap for resistance and comfort. Seams finished in saddle stitch, mirroring the 23mm version.
• Boots and Fetlock Boots Equestrian protective boots and fetlock boots designed to Butet's quality and aesthetic standards, part of the limited and refined tack range.
• Girths and Saddle Pads Girths and fabric saddle pads offered as part of the refined tack range, designed to complement Butet saddles and rider aesthetics.
• Akène Soap Leather care soap made from natural oils and cleaning agents for deep cleansing of leather in a respectful manner. Recommended for everyday cleaning after each use of leather goods. US$50.
• Akène Oil Paraffin-oil leather treatment providing extra shine and suppleness for new or used leather. Recommended bi-annually as a deep treatment before hard temperature changes. US$60.
• Used Saddles (La Braderie) Pre-owned and certified second-quality saddles and tack sold at reduced prices via the La Braderie program, offering sustainable consumption options within the Butet range.

Quantifiable outcome

• Each saddle consists of approximately 90 pieces of leather
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 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

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and minor.

• Richard ORLINSKIflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 January 2026Collaboration to celebrate BUTET's 40th anniversary (1986-2026). Artist Richard Orlinski, internationally renowned French sculptor, created a limited series of 40 numbered and signed saddles featuring his signature facet design on iconic BUTET leather in gold, cachou, and black colors. Each saddle is custom-made, piece by piece, in the Saumur workshop.
• DROUOTminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 June 2024Famous auction house that conducted a silent auction of a BUTET saddle personalized by artist Isabel Deprince at Longines Paris Eiffel Jumping 2024. All proceeds donated to HOPE association.
• Isabel DEPRINCEminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 June 2024Contemporary painter who personalized a calf-lined BUTET saddle with artistic design for charity auction benefiting HOPE association.
• HOPE AssociationminorOthers · 21 June 2024Charity organization dedicated to offering moments of joy and connection to women who have or have had cancer through equestrian activities. Received proceeds from BUTET saddle auction at Paris Eiffel Jumping.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Devoucoux: French luxury custom saddle maker offering jumping, dressage, and eventing saddles with full customization. Direct peer in product offering, customer base (elite riders), and French artisanal positioning.
• Stubben: Long-established German custom saddle maker with comparable jumping, dressage, and eventing lines. Direct peer on product category and customization, differentiated by German rather than French craft heritage.
• Amerigo (Petrie / Amerigo): Italian custom saddle maker with deep presence in the US hunter/jumper market. Comparable on target discipline, customer base, and customization model, with strong US distribution overlap.
• Frank Baines Saddlery: British heritage custom saddle maker producing bespoke jumping, dressage, and eventing saddles. Direct peer on customization, craft-led positioning, and elite-rider customer base, with English rather than French heritage.
• Prestige Italia: Italian luxury saddle maker producing custom jumping and dressage saddles sold internationally. Comparable in price tier, product category, and sponsorship of professional riders, with a similarly craft-led Italian (vs French) heritage narrative.
• Voltaire Design: French maker of custom saddles and bridles targeting amateur and professional equestrians. Comparable on product customization and equestrian customer base, with a slightly more modern brand presentation.
• CWD (Sellier): French maker of high-end custom jumping and dressage saddles, headquartered nearby. CWD is Butet's most direct competitor — same custom-made model, same target customer (professional riders, hunter/jumper market), same French craft heritage, and same price tier.
• Antares Sellier: French custom saddle maker specializing in jumping, dressage, and eventing saddles with bespoke fitting. Closely comparable in craft approach, customization depth, and target equestrian customer.
• Bates Australia: Australian saddle maker with internationally distributed custom jumping, dressage, and eventing saddles. Comparable product category and target customer, though positioned more mid-market than Butet's luxury tier.

Broad incumbents

• Hermès (Equestrian / Cavalier Cadre Noir): Global luxury house with a dedicated equestrian leather goods line tied to the Cadre Noir tradition in Saumur. Competes at the high end of equestrian leather and shares Butet's geographic and heritage anchor, but as part of a much broader luxury portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/p/DUK_kDrEtdw/?igsh=MTRnZ2R3YW9sbGc5MA%3D%3D
• Xx.com/selleriebutet
• Facebookfacebook.com/BUTETSellier
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/butet

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 SELLERIE BUTET