GRAVITY SADDLE MAKER

GRAVITY Saddlemaker was founded in January 2013 in Santa Cruz, CA.

Shamss Bennadja, originally from Paris. In 1989 at 21, already a beginner in horse riding, discovered saddlemaking and started as an apprentice at the PETITPAS saddle workshop near Versailles making racing, steeplechase, and long distance exercise saddles.
In 1992 he moved in the south of France to a town named Biarritz, and joined a famous saddle brand and expanded his skills to jumping, cross-country, and dressage saddles.

In 2001, he was called to join the Historical HERMES saddle workshop located in the center of Paris to craft and redesign saddles.

Later on with the desire to explore the saddle industry,
Shamss traveled across England, Germany, and the USA.
In 2004 Shamss decided to launch his first saddle workshop
in Petaluma, CA under the name of SPORT SADDLE SERVICE .

In 2010 the workshop moved to Santa Cruz, CA the main reason was to be close to who became his wife.
In January 2013 GRAVITY workshop was created
and opened a nice showroom/workshop in the historic village of Aptos, CA..

After years of following and listening to riders, Shamss became passionate about designing saddles that fit both the rider and the horse. The saddle must position the rider comfortably and securely with the horse’s center of gravity to maintain balance for both while in motion. He understands each rider has different demands, just as each horse has different conformation and muscle development. The culmination of that passion, experiences, and understanding led to name the brand GRAVITY.

Certifications: High End Leather Artisan

Geographic Area Serviced: USA