About Us

My name is Muriel, and I am the founder of Grand Gallop®, a registered equestrian brand created to make saddle transport easier, more comfortable, and more protective.

Originally from France, I have been riding since I was young. Years later, when my daughter began competing in show jumping and dressage, I spent countless hours traveling with her between barns, lessons, and competitions. Like many equestrians, we were constantly carrying saddles and other equipment from the tack room to the car, through busy showgrounds, and back again.

When I moved to California, I quickly joined a local riding club so I could continue enjoying the sport I love. I soon realized that riders in the United States faced the same challenges I had experienced in France. Saddles are valuable, delicate, and often heavy. Barns and arenas can be extremely dusty, and frequent transportation can expose the leather to dirt, scratches, impacts, and unnecessary wear. Traditional saddle bags may offer some protection, but they are not always comfortable or practical to carry—especially over longer distances.

All these experiences inspired me to create a better way for riders to travel with their saddles. I first designed the Grand Gallop® Saddle Carrier Backpack for my own use, with the goal of creating something stronger, more comfortable, and more protective than the saddle bags already available.

Every feature was thoughtfully selected to address a real need. The carrier combines durable, high-quality materials with padded backpack straps, a supportive hip belt, a cushioned back panel, a soft protective fleece lining, a water-resistant outer shell, a heavy-duty zipper, and sturdy carrying handles. The backpack system and hip belt help distribute the saddle’s weight more evenly, reducing pressure on the shoulders and back while keeping the rider’s hands free.

My goal was to create a saddle carrier that would be both elegant and genuinely useful, not only for competitors, but also for recreational riders traveling between lessons, barns, shows, tack rooms, and their cars.

I personally use my Grand Gallop® Saddle Carrier Backpack all the time, and it has become an indispensable part of my riding life. I am incredibly proud to offer riders a product created from genuine equestrian experience, one that protects their saddle while making every journey more comfortable.