Devoucoux is a manufacturer of saddlery based in Bidart, near Biarritz, France. It makes custom saddles for the three Olympic equestrianism disciplines, dressage, show jumping, and eventing.

History

The company was created in 1985 by Jean-Michel Devoucoux in his workshop in the Basque village of Sare. It has 60 employees. The founder is an ex-apprentice groom from Ciboure in the Pyrénées Atlantiques, and is trained to make both harnesses and saddles.

Jean-Michel Devoucoux only knows one gait: the gallop.

In less than fifteen years, this ex-apprentice groom from Ciboure in the Pyrénées Atlantiques has become the World leader in luxury saddles. Devoucoux saddles carry the image of luxurious and handcrafted fine French leatherworking throughout the World. Starting off from nothing in his workshop in the Basque village of Sare in 1985, Jean-Michel Devoucoux now runs a team of 60 employees from Bidart, near Biarritz, who manufacture and sell over 3,000 saddles and 15,000 accessories throughout the World every year.

Background

Jean-Michel Devoucoux, now 45 years of age, is above all passionately interested in horses, a confirmed rider and loves leather.

The milestone dates: 1982 – True to the tradition of the master craftsmen, the teenager, groom-lad's certificate in hand; set off on the tour of France, working in turn with the great master saddlers, who trained him in leathercrafting and instilled a desire to create quality products. 1985 – Opening of a repair and saddlery product manufacturing workshop in Sare. 1992 – Move to the Biarritz premises, enabling a more steady production of saddles. 1994 – The first Devoucoux catalogue is published for mail order sales. 1996 – Indirect marketing is scrapped and sales direct to riders start up with salaried sales staff. 1999 – Creation of a first subsidiary in the USA, and opening of the first devoucoux.com web site. 2000 – Move to the Bidart site into new premises, more suitable for quality manufacture. 2003 – Creation of a second subsidiary in Great Britain and opening of the second generation site.

The company's stance

One step ahead

The Devoucoux brand's spectacular rise to success has been due to the fact that the range of products it offers cover needs that have until now been unsatisfied. Devoucoux ranks among the top of the range, tailored saddlery products, designed for all riders and all types of mount, whether competition or leisure. The common denominator in the Devoucoux initiative: innovation and customer service. The catalogue includes thirteen models of saddle, which are available in as many colours and sizes as there are rider and horse pairs. A matching technical range of accessories rounds-off the saddlery business. In manufacturing, the best French leathers are put to their best use by the know-how of the Devoucoux craftsman saddlers, devoted to beautiful products and lovingly finished work. This obsession with quality extends to an after-sales service that is always at the disposal of riders. To win its place as World leader, Devoucoux has relied on an International direct sales network.

Endorsement Claims

The company claims in its promotional material that "top riders such as Pippa Funnell (GB), Leslie Law (GB), Renald Angot (FR), Laura Kraut (US), Phillip Dutton (AU) Jessica Heideman (USA), bonnie Mosser (USA) use Devoucoux saddles and tack for the most demanding competitions (Olympic games, World Championship...)."

Many of the best riders in the US and the world choose Devoucoux : - Norman Dello Joio - Laura Kraut - Kevin Babinton - Ramiro Quintana - Eric Flameng - Brianne Goutal - Andres Rodriguez - Federico Sztyrle ...

External Links

• Official site - http://www.devoucoux.com
• Used Devoucoux Saddle website - http://www.used-devoucoux.com

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