Saddle-maker: Worldwide expertise

The craft trade sector in Argentina is mainly focused on the production and use of leather. Indeed, history has it that leather was one of Argentina’s first exports to Europe, produced by a tannery established in 1790. This rich heritage has been shaped by several historic events and traditions that make Argentina synonymous with leather to this day.

The art of saddle-making is part of the country’s identity. Leather working first began in the vast Argentinian Campos grasslands before gaining a certain nobility from master craftsmen in the Province of Buenos Aires who have passed their unique skills and expertise on from generation to generation. In fact, there’s no formal education or vocational training for this way of life.

Antarès and Profine: “Made in France” meets “Made in Argentina”

Right from the outset, when the Antarès team met their counterparts from the Profine workshops in Buenos Aires, the big picture was all about skills and expertise. The common denominator is a passion for riding saddles.

Profine already makes saddles for amateur and professional riders worldwide giving the Argentinian firm a wealth of experience to perfectly supplement that of our French saddle-makers at Antarès.

This dialogue with Antarès also has its advantages for the saddle-marker Profine in terms of expertise, as well as technical and corporate innovation.

The Argentine saddle maker excels in its hand-designed saddle trees. What’s more, Profine can also supply high-quality, locally-sourced materials.

This international artisanal expertise chimes with our values at Antarès and heralds a bright future. With so much culture, tradition and knowledge on hand, developing a range of saddles in Argentina is the obvious choice for Antarès. The range will have its own “By Antarès” label to distinguish it from Antarès’ French-made bespoke range of saddles.

Master saddle-making skills in the same group

Profine joined the Antarès Group in 2015 providing the perfect illustration of modern Argentinian saddle-making, complete with a team of highly qualified master saddle makers.

Profine’s reputation and ideal position in the Argentinian heartland means that it works with the best tanneries for the quality of their hides, wood and other raw materials. The saddle-maker has forged a trusting partnership with its local and foreign suppliers.

Saddles to perfect your technique and performance

This Franco-Argentinian venture has resulted in our and “semi-custom saddle” and “ready-to-wear saddle” Argentinian saddles exclusively designed and produced in-house. The ranges of saddles subsequently are added to the French “custom saddle” range produced in our workshops in Saintes, Charente Maritime.

The saddles are crafted from a traditional glue-laminated beech saddle tree reinforced with steel strips. The ‘homemade’ saddle tree from the Argentinian saddle-maker is a master stroke of expertise. Its added flexibility soaks up impacts on the horse’s backbone while freeing up the spine for greater mobility.

The semi-custom saddle range is called Signature by Antarès.

This sports-based range of saddles is ideal for perfecting your riding technique and competing in events. Each model in the range comes in several seat and flap sizes. Signature by Antarès saddles therefore adjust seamlessly to different morphologies, with contact and balance forming their hallmarks.

Our Signature by Antarès made semi-custom saddle are available in the following styles:
• jumping saddle
• mono-flap saddle
• dressage saddle

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Antarès’ ready to wear saddles go by the name of Altaïr.

They are ideal for riders buying their first saddle and wanting to improve. They come in several sizes to match your morphology. Altaïr saddles are highly recommended for beginners as they promote better pelvic mobility and straight legs.

Our “Altaïr by Antarès” ready to wear saddles are available in various formats:
• jumping saddle
• mono-flap saddle
• dressage saddle
• junior saddle

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There’s also 2 models in the same ready to wear saddles designed for the North American market :

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