52 SIDELINES JANUARY 2014
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
Lievre. He, along with his partner Olivier Pedrix, had joined forces
with founder Frederic Butet three years earlier. I sent an email to
introduce myself and, the next day, received an invitation to the
headquarters in Saumur for a private tour. I was thrilled!
This time I entered the foyer with confidence, taking time to take
a close look at the numerous Butet saddles on display: the classic
flat seat, the new stitched premium, a black dressage saddle with
gold piping, a cross country saddle, an endurance option and
even a racing training version. Mr. Lievre greeted me in perfect
English and then introduced me to Mr. Pedrix, who was finalizing
logo designs for the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy,
France.
Unlike Mr. Butet, neither Lievre nor Pedrix grew up riding.
The two marketing experts purchased Butet Sellier in 2010 and
since then the trio have been busy creating products, planning
programs and new ventures to bring the eminent brand to an even
broader international equestrian audience. “When we first came
on board, the company didn’t have an Internet presence – no
website or Facebook page,” explained Mr. Lievre. “Since the start,
riders like Henri Prudent encouraged, even insisted, that Frederic
go into business. They spread the word because they loved the
saddles, and they continue to do so. The product has retained its
infallible reputation because of its quality, superior materials and
workmanship, the attention to every detail and to every client.”
After learning about the founder and history of Butet, it was
time for my tour. We started in the main work area where a slew
of casually-clad employees were busy at their tasks, measuring,
stitching, cutting and assembling saddles. “This building is actually
made to the specifications of an indoor arena,” explained Mr.
Lievre. And it looked just like a very clean, very fancy ring complete
with high ceilings, plenty of light and the correct dimensions.
“We have hired many young workers to learn the craft of making
saddles directly from our metrosellier,” explained Mr. Lievre. Since
2010, the annual production of Butet saddles has risen from 1,500
to 2,200 and the staff has increased, from 23 to 40 people. “Our
veteran master craftsmen work with the new recruits to teach
them how to create the saddles in the Butet way, with both the
traditional tools and with new cutting edge technology. Even if the
electricity goes off, we are able to continue working and making
saddles.”
“Every single part of a Butet saddle is made in France,” stated
Mr. Lievre proudly as we headed toward the back, where on
one entire wall layer upon layer of beautiful leather skins were
stacked. “It is true that this is the most expensive leather in the
world,” explained Mr. Lievre. “Even so, we discard apporoximatley
40% that we do not feel live up to Butet standards.” I learned that
the tanning process takes 8 months; the skins are soaked in a
mixture of water and ground oak bark a few meters deep where
they undergo a series of biochemical reactions. Once this is done,
they are drained, sorted, suspended, dried and then undergo a
succession of manual and mechanical operations.
The Premium Butet Saddle with new pad.
Stitching a Butet saddle.
Leather cut outs on their way to becoming
Butet saddles.
A Butet apprentice
hard at work.
Continued on page 54
