Asahi Shimbun’s ‘Front Runner’ Features SOMÈS SADDLE!

“At the Forefront of Recognized Authentic Craftsmanship”

Front Runner

This article was featured in the nationally distributed “Front Runner” column of The Asahi Shimbun,one of Japan’s most prominent newspapers, on June 28, 2025.

The column spotlights individuals across various industries who exemplify leadership, innovation, and resilience.

Noboru Someya, Chairman of Somès Saddle

Advancing with Horse Tack,
from Hokkaido to the World

On a ranch with a view of snow-covered mountains, two horses quietly graze. Nearby, in a workshop, a craftsman works with skilled hands. This is the everyday scene cherished by the head of Japan’s only remaining horse tack manufacturer.

The vast natural landscape of Sorachi in Hokkaido, where he was born and raised, and a deep devotion to craftsmanship—he believes that by honing the techniques inherited since the pioneering era, a path to the world will open.

His connection to horse tack came unexpectedly. His father, a former coal mine worker who also served as city council chairman in Utashinai, became involved in reviving the company’s predecessor. After graduating from university, he joined in.

The company had originally launched twelve years earlier, specializing in the export of equestrian gear. With the town in decline due to coal mine closures, his father and other city officials encouraged its founding. Skilled artisans who had once made gear for agricultural horses during the pioneering days were brought together. However, the oil crisis and a sharp appreciation of the yen soon brought the business to a halt.

He shared the sentiment—“We can’t let this fail”—and threw himself into the effort. But he had no knowledge of horses or business.

“It was one reckless challenge after another,” he recalls.

He spent a year apprenticing under an acquaintance in Tokyo, while attending bookkeeping school at night. At one point, he even lived in a riding club for six months.

Forging a Domestic Sales Network

Rebuilding the business meant establishing a domestic sales network. Alone in Tokyo, he rushed from client to client, but the barriers of imported goods were high, and the market size was limited.

One of the avenues he explored was gear for horse racing. He visited racetracks frequently, building relationships through repair work. It took three years before someone agreed to try one of their saddles.

On the advice of a trainer who recognized his persistence, he redesigned the saddle from the ground up. By distributing the rider’s weight across the entire surface that touches the horse’s back, it eased the burden on the animal. Delicate hand stitching made the saddle durable and resistant to fraying.

A Partnership with Yutaka Take

Then came a turning point.

He met jockey Yutaka Take. Over a relationship spanning more than 30 years, they made continuous improvements to the product. Take came to place complete trust in it, saying, “This is a tool I entrust my life to. The sense of security is unmatched.” As Take rose to the top of his field, he even recommended the saddle to foreign jockeys competing internationally.

Last summer, to mark the company’s 60th anniversary, they co-developed a commemorative saddle— imbued with the hope of achieving the first Japanese victory at the world-renowned Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in the autumn.

Someya himself traveled to Paris for the race. Although saddles had been provided to Take and others, it wasn’t clear until the last moment who would be using which saddle. He watched each horse intently, nerves on edge.

The long-held dream did not come true. But the development team watching alongside him could hardly contain their excitement: four of the 16 horses in the race were wearing Somès saddles— including some ridden by foreign jockeys with whom they had no prior connection.

“That was the moment I knew—we’ve reached the level where we can truly compete on the world stage.”

This year, for the first time, the company welcomed two outside directors and is setting its sights overseas.

Will the “revolution” of these Hokkaido-born leather artisans breathe new life into the global market?

Interview Excerpt:
A Legacy Forged in Hokkaido

From the ranch that stretches out in front of the workplace, he looks out at the mountains of his hometown.

Thirty years ago, in a part of the region once prosperous for coal mining,

he built the current headquarters with an attached workshop and company-owned store — in Sunagawa, Hokkaido.

—What made you decide to work for a horse tack manufacturer?

I was born in a coal mining town and raised by the local community.

The predecessor of the company had been established with the public mission of revitalizing a coal-producing region,

so I had a strong desire to contribute to my hometown by helping to rebuild it.

My father’s presence was also a major factor. My older brother, who is nine years my senior, took on the business,

and I simply wanted to support them in any way I could.

We soon realized that rebuilding the company couldn’t rely solely on equestrian gear.

So we started using leftover pieces of leather to make coasters and took on belt manufacturing as well.

—Did things go smoothly?

To be honest, the very idea of me starting sales activities alone in Tokyo was pretty reckless.

Nothing went well at first, and I was filled with anxiety about whether I could survive in this industry.

What kept me going was, without a doubt, the craftsmen.

Whenever I returned home on business trips, I saw them working with all their heart and soul in the workshop.

Seeing that made me want to make their work better known—to create something in Tokyo

that would help this group earn recognition. That feeling only grew stronger.

Aiming for Hermès: The Evolution of Somès Saddle

—What prompted you to start producing racing tack and bags?

We were selected as one of the manufacturers to exhibit at a trade fair in West Germany,

which gave me the opportunity to tour Europe, the heart of the industry.

During some free time in France, I visited the Hermès flagship store.

Seeing rows of authentic, high-quality products up close, I thought to myself,

“This is what we should aim for.”

Hermès started out as a maker of equestrian equipment and went on to establish itself as a luxury brand

for leather goods. I knew we were nowhere near their level, but since we were the only company in Japan

involved in making riding tack, we were also the only ones who could truly set that as a goal.

All the hesitation I had until then vanished in an instant.

—Racing gear and bags were both new ventures for you, right?

Yes, especially general leather goods—we didn’t even have a concept of “bags” at the time.

Naturally, the craftsmen were opposed in the beginning. My brother, who was set to take over the presidency

from our father, and I spent a year convincing them. We emphasized that these were leather products

born from a horse tack maker, and therefore had a unique story. We strongly believed that unless we highlighted

that as our defining feature, we would simply be lost among the competition.

—When did your leather goods business start to take off?

It was after we built our current headquarters, about 30 years ago, with an attached workshop and retail store.

All the financial institutions we had relationships with at the time were strongly opposed,

but we shifted course toward building brand recognition for “Somès Saddle.”

Our vision was to eventually establish a business model like those of the major European firms—

selling our products in our own stores, through the hands of our own employees.

—How about the horse racing tack side of the business?

It quickly became clear that it would take considerable time. Even though both are called horse tack,

racing gear is significantly different from riding gear. On the other hand, horse racing is directly linked

to Hokkaido’s breeding and training farms. And back then, there were still a few companies in Japan

that specialized in racing tack, so we believed there was potential to build a viable business.

—Now your saddles are said to hold an 80% share of the domestic market.

That happened before we knew it—though it did take time. Based on advice from a trainer,

we shifted away from the traditional Japanese saddle structure made by domestic manufacturers

and adopted a design that had become the global standard. I think it was also significant

that top jockey Yutaka Take appreciated our work. When he said, “The sense of security is the most important factor,”

it was the highest compliment we could receive. Word of mouth

began to spread among industry professionals,

and Mr. Take even shared his endorsement with foreign jockeys.

Confirming Our Proximity to the World:
An Interview with Noboru Someya

—Your company is now expanding overseas, correct?

Yes. Last year, I went to the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in France for the first time,

accompanied by our president and development team.

I felt it was important to experience the atmosphere of the world’s top-level races firsthand.

There, I saw both domestic and international jockeys using our products,

and I was able to confirm that we were close to meeting global standards.

From here on, we’ll develop a strategic sales plan for international expansion.

The first step is to launch an online platform to accept orders for racing equipment.

—Do you still consider horse tack the core of your business?

Absolutely. We apply world-class techniques, recognized by top professionals in Japan and abroad,

to our general leather products as well. But unless we establish a solid track record with horse tack,

our bags won’t gain traction internationally.

Horse tack is the ultimate embodiment of our craftsmanship.

The three-dimensional parts of a saddle can only be finished by hand-stitching.

While most of the manufacturing world focuses on automation to improve productivity,

we continue to value handwork and craftsmanship as our lifeblood—even as we pursue digital innovation.

We want to be seen as a leading brand in the creation of truly authentic products.

—What is the most important thing you have valued in your own work?

I’m neither a creator nor a craftsman. But the one thing I can take pride in

is that I’ve always been a pioneer—breaking new ground in every area.

From horse tack to bags, I’ve worked in sales and been involved in planning.

That, to me, is my greatest asset.