Episode 12

🎙 Meet Sandie Galibert, manager of the Padd stores in Nîmes and Alès.

👉 A lifelong equestrian enthusiast, Sandie decided early on to follow in her parents’ footsteps. They began as owners of two independent tack shops before transitioning to the Padd brand.

With your parents’ career, was owning your own equestrian business a natural step?

Absolutely—I was immersed in this world from a young age. Inspired by a saddler uncle, my parents, though not riders themselves, founded two independent tack shops under the Equistock brand in the 1970s in Alès and Nîmes. I started riding around age 4 or 5, dreaming of owning my own horse someday. I stopped as a teenager because I loved outdoor riding more than arena work or competitions. Naturally, since I wasn’t drawn to academics, I began working with my parents at 20. Two years later, I finally bought my much-dreamed-of mare, Rhapsodie.

How did you connect with Padd?

An Ekkia sales rep, familiar with my father, mentioned that a Padd store would eventually open in Nîmes—and that it might be better if it were us. Initially, we were hesitant, fearing we’d lose some of our identity to “a big company,” “outdated models,” or “formal Parisians.” But after meeting Arielle and Pascal, we had a great connection. By summer 2016, Nîmes became a Padd store, followed by Alès in March 2017. To be transparent, we had concerns—like losing direct relationships with other suppliers and potentially customers. At the time, Ekkia also struggled to refresh its collections, something that changed when Pascal took over in 2019.

How has the customer evolved since you started in 2003?

They’ve become more demanding. Customers expect regular new products, e-commerce-level service, and fresh colors beyond the usual gray, navy, or black. They also want a personal connection. Remembering their horse’s name and offering expert advice is crucial. My five employees, all riders with 4–5 years of experience in our stores, provide consistency and create a welcoming environment.

Another shift is the focus on horse care. We now sell anatomically designed bridles, mane detanglers, shampoos, glitter sprays, and more—unthinkable 20 years ago! We also offer services like embroidery, blanket cleaning, and horse transport van rentals, mainly managed by my husband directly with clubs and stables. In short, we know our clients inside out and offer unmatched personalized attention.

How would you describe your relationship with Padd?

We see Padd as a high-performing yet very family-oriented company. Communication is straightforward, and I know I can count on the entire team—especially Arielle, who’s available 24/7. The product range has improved significantly, meeting customer expectations with better technical and quality standards.

A quality you value in others?

Honesty. Conversely, I struggle with hypocrisy, rudeness, or impatience.

Your motto?

I don’t have a specific one, but it would center on the importance of daily self-reflection—it’s essential for growth.

Padd in one word?

I’ll give three: ambitious, family-oriented, passionate. That sums us up perfectly!