Interview with Camille, creator of Équintence, an artisan saddlery

I’m Camille, creator of Équintence, an artisanal saddlery. Originally, I worked mainly in harness saddlery, but over the years I’ve moved into leather goods and canine saddlery.

Saddlery and harnessing involves the design, manufacture and repair of all leather equipment for horses and riding. This includes saddles, bridles, harnesses and other equipment to ensure the comfort and safety of horse and rider alike. It’s a craft that requires precision, expertise and an in-depth knowledge of leather and the equestrian world.

My workshop is in Laissac near Rodez in Aveyron, right in the heart of the village. It’s a studio-boutique that I opened in March 2021.

Originally, I wasn’t oriented towards this profession at all. I studied jewelry making for six years, culminating in a BTS. I loved working with my hands, but I wanted to get back in touch with horses, a lifelong passion. I quickly realized that jewelry wasn’t going to be my career path, even though I really enjoyed it.
It was during a three-week internship at the Bastilde saddlery in Cagnes-sur-Mer that I discovered saddlery. The experience was a revelation: I knew this was what I wanted to do with my life. After my BTS in jewelry, I decided to retrain.
I took a one-year vocational contract in saddlery, then obtained my CAP in saddlery and harness work-study with the Haras du Pin in 2019. That same year, I was honored to receive the title of Meilleur Ouvrier de France in saddlery-harnessing.
Although I left jewelry aside, the meticulousness I acquired during my studies is reflected in my work today. What I missed in jewelry was the variety of materials: leather, unlike precious metals, evolves over time, it develops a patina, it ages. I think that’s wonderful! And, let’s face it, its smell is incomparable.

Yes, I’ve been riding since I was 11. I grew up surrounded by horses; my grandparents owned them. It’s always been an important part of my life. It was this link between craftsmanship and the equestrian world that guided me towards this profession.
Today, I still do a bit of repair work and saddlery, but most of my work is dedicated to leather goods: handbags, belts, wallets and so on. I work these pieces in the spirit of traditional saddlery, with thick leathers and hand stitching.

Yes, I’ll be present at the Salon du Cheval d’Albi, to be held at the end of March, for the equestrian side of things. During the summer and autumn, I take part in several shows and festivals dedicated to arts and crafts: the Murat show in July, lfabrique in Aveyron in September, les Aveyronnais de Paris in October, among others.
I also take part in some equestrian competitions.