Cornet Vincent Segurel is advising the founders of Horse Pilot on the sale of the company to the Ekkia Sport Group

Restructuring & Distressed Companies

Press releases — 25 June 2026

Founded in 2010 in Cysoing (Nord), Horse Pilot—a French brand of premium equestrian equipment distributed in nearly 40 countries—has been acquired in its entirety by the Ekkia Sport Group. This transaction, effective June 17, 2026, marks a new milestone in the brand’s development and strengthens the Alsatian group’s platform.

Since its founding by Simon Dewavrin, Aurélien Guillon, and Guillaume Janin, Horse Pilot has made a name for itself in the equestrian market by breaking with the industry’s traditional norms. The brand has developed a lineup of nearly 1,500 products (clothing, protective gear, footwear, and accessories) focused on performance, comfort, safety, and freedom of movement. Certified as a B Corp™ since 2025, it now distributes its products in France and internationally through a network of specialty retailers, online-only retailers, international distributors, and digital channels.

The acquisition by Ekkia Sport will enable Horse Pilot to continue its growth while preserving what sets it apart: its athletic DNA, its capacity for innovation, its storytelling, and its connection with riders. The brand will also benefit from the Ekkia Group’s resources: its retail platform comprising 100 Padd stores—France’s leading network dedicated to equestrian gear for riders and horses—and a network of more than 2,000 retailers in over 70 countries, as well as its operational capabilities in design and logistics.

For its part, Ekkia Sport is strengthening a portfolio that already includes nearly 30 owned or distributed brands by adding a premium, technical brand positioned in a growing segment.

A multidisciplinary team from Cornet Vincent Ségurel, led by Benjamin Chevalier and Thomas Deschryver, partners, advised the founders of Horse Pilot throughout this transaction.

Parties Involved

Founders: Simon Dewavrin, Aurélien Guillon, Guillaume Janin

Sellers: CDE (Damien Sacchi), Fill Holding (Romain Mulliez), Finorpa (Jean-Louis Guérin)

Buyer: Ekkia Sport (Pascal Gautherin, Philippe Krebs)

Advisors:

Lawyers for Horse Pilot Founders: Cornet Vincent Ségurel (Benjamin Chevalier, Claire Davigny, Thomas Descryver, Stéphanie Forest, Mélanie Gabreau)

Lawyers for Sellers: Delsol Avocats (Philippe Malikian, Rémy Durand), VB avocat (Victor Brouard), Fidal (Christian Fournier)

Lawyers for the Buyer :

Corporate M&A: Avenue 52 avocats (Julien Bresch, Apolline Schmitt)
Tax: InExtenso avocats (Xavier Briclot)