Name

Schleese Gmbh

Legal name

Schleese GmbH

Website

https://schleese-sattel.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Equestrian Saddles

SIC

Leather & Leather Products (3100)

akta.pro primary industry

Riding Jackets, Pants & Suits Retail (Leather/Textile) (CRAMANAF)

Keywords

• Equestrian saddles
• Custom saddle fitting
• Riding equipment
• Saddle manufacturing
• Women's saddlery

Headquarters

HQ city

Köln

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Custom Saddle Sales: The company sells high-quality, handcrafted riding saddles at premium price points. Saddles are individually manufactured based on measurements of both horse and rider, with extensive customization options for leather type, color, stitching, and piping. Delivery time is approximately three months for a unique, handmade saddle.
2. Saddle Fitting and Adjustment Services: Saddle Ergonomists provide ongoing saddle fitting services including initial analysis, regular adjustments, and yearly check-ups. While saddles are sold exclusively through certified partners, fitting services are provided independently by Saddle Ergonomists who work as entrepreneurs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Schleese GmbH designs and manufactures premium riding saddles — particularly anatomically adapted for female riders — across multiple product lines (CL, AL, BNL, EL, VCFS, WE, RC), priced from €1,555 to €8,115. Each saddle is sold exclusively through certified Saddle Ergonomists who apply the proprietary Saddlefit 4 Life® (S4L) 80-point evaluation and use the patented AdapTree® adjustable saddle tree to deliver a custom fit.

Product overview

Schleese GmbH is a German saddle manufacturer specializing in high-quality riding saddles designed primarily for women, with patented technology including the AdapTree® adjustable saddle tree. The company operates a multi-tier product portfolio organized into Classic (CL), AL, BNL, EL, VCFS (Virtual Custom Fit System), Western (WE), and Racing/Work (RC) lines, ranging from entry-level models (€1,555–€4,760) to premium custom options (up to €8,115). All saddles are backed by the Saddlefit 4 Life® (S4L) fitting program, delivered through a global network of certified saddle ergonomists trained at the S4L Academy. The company offers saddles for dressage, jumping, allround, western, and racing/work disciplines, with customization options including leather versions, colors, colored seams, and piping.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Saddlefit 4 Life (S4L): Scientifically-based program for saddle fitting based on 80-point evaluation to adapt saddles to the needs of rider and horse.
• Saddlefit 4 Life Akademie
• AdapTree

Products and services

• CL Saddle Line A product line of Schleese riding saddles sold within the €1,555–€8,115 price range, fitted via the S4L 80-point evaluation and AdapTree® adjustable tree. Targeted at individual female riders seeking custom-fitted saddles.
• AL Saddle Line A product line of Schleese riding saddles within the €1,555–€8,115 price range, fitted using the proprietary S4L methodology. Targeted at individual female riders.
• BNL Saddle Line A product line of Schleese riding saddles priced within the €1,555–€8,115 range, built on the AdapTree® adjustable tree and fitted via S4L. Targeted at individual female riders.
• EL Saddle Line A product line of Schleese riding saddles within the €1,555–€8,115 price range, custom-fitted using the S4L 80-point evaluation. Targeted at individual female riders.
• VCFS Saddle Line A product line of Schleese riding saddles priced within the €1,555–€8,115 range, built on the AdapTree® adjustable tree and fitted via S4L. Targeted at individual female riders.
• WE Saddle Line A product line of Schleese riding saddles priced within the €1,555–€8,115 range, fitted using the S4L methodology. Targeted at individual female riders.
• RC Saddle Line A product line of Schleese riding saddles priced within the €1,555–€8,115 range, built on the AdapTree® adjustable tree and fitted via S4L. Targeted at individual female riders.
• Saddlefit 4 Life® (S4L) Fitting Service A professional saddle-fitting service built on Schleese's proprietary Saddlefit 4 Life® (S4L) 80-point evaluation, performed by certified Saddle Ergonomists for individual riders (primarily female) and their horses. Delivered in-person through Schleese's certified-ergonomist network.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Saddlefit 4 Life AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining institution that certifies Saddle Ergonomists. Founded by Jochen Schleese, it provides comprehensive education in equine and rider anatomy, biomechanics, and the Saddlefit 4 Life methodology. All certified partners undergo training and are recertified every two years. The academy is essential to maintaining quality standards and the brand's professional network.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Black Country Saddles: Black Country Saddles is a British custom saddle maker producing bespoke saddles for dressage, jumping, and eventing. It mirrors Schleese's custom-fit philosophy, fitter-based distribution, and premium pricing, targeting riders who prioritize biomechanical fit and craftsmanship.
• Devoucoux: Devoucoux is a French custom saddle manufacturer targeting dressage, show jumping, and eventing disciplines. Comparable to Schleese in its bespoke fitting approach, premium positioning, and direct-to-rider sales channel through saddle fitters across Europe and beyond.
• Stübben: Stübben is a German premium equestrian saddle and tack manufacturer with deep heritage in custom-fitted saddlery. It competes with Schleese in the high-end dressage, jumping, and allround saddle market, sharing a similar craftsmanship-led, premium-positioned approach and European distribution through specialist dealers.
• Prestige Italia: Prestige Italia is an Italian luxury custom saddle maker specializing in dressage, jumping, and eventing saddles tailored to horse and rider anatomy. It is directly comparable to Schleese in premium price tier, customization focus, and emphasis on biomechanical fit for the rider-horse pair.
• Kent & Masters: Kent & Masters is a British saddle maker offering a wide-fitting saddle range sold through trained saddle fitters. It is comparable to Schleese in its fitter-led distribution, custom fitting emphasis, and premium price positioning across dressage, jumping, and allround models.
• Pessoa / Horseware Saddles: The Pessoa saddle line, distributed by Horseware, is a globally recognized high-end saddle brand with custom-fit options. It competes with Schleese in the premium and custom saddle space, particularly in dressage and jumping, and shares a similar emphasis on rider-horse fit.
• CWD (Compagnie des Chevaux de Sport): CWD is a French luxury saddle maker offering custom-made saddles for elite dressage and show jumping riders. It competes with Schleese at the premium end of the market, sharing the same made-to-measure model, premium pricing, and emphasis on rider-horse biomechanics.

Broad incumbents

• Bates Saddles: Bates is an Australian saddle brand, distributed by Horseware, offering premium and mid-tier saddles with adjustable fit systems. It serves the same equestrian customer as Schleese but addresses a broader market through broader retail distribution and more accessible pricing.
• Wintec: Wintec is a mass-market synthetic saddle brand offering affordable, easy-care saddles widely sold through equestrian retailers and online. While overlapping with Schleese in equestrian saddlery, it targets the opposite end of the market through volume retail rather than custom fitting.
• Thorowgood: Thorowgood is a British mass-market saddle maker producing affordable synthetic and leather saddles with adjustable gullets, distributed through general equestrian retail. It competes indirectly with Schleese in the adjustable-tree concept but at lower price points and via non-specialist channels.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCohXLz4XU5vzKts5VNT_oTw
• Facebookfacebook.com/schleesegmbh
• Instagraminstagram.com/schleese_sattel

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 Schleese Gmbh