Francisco Dorantes has loved the equestrian world since he was a child – a passion that led him to open his own workshop in 1994 in Andalusia, a region known for its saddlery and leatherworking expertise. Today, his workshop is housed in a large villa with an exhibition room, over 400 saddlery-themed books and 15 craftspeople. Working together, saddlers, goldsmiths, historians and upholsterers craft saddles and carriages.
In addition to saddlery and making of leather accessories, such as belts and bags, DHD Dorantes also specialises in the restoration, preservation and research of various historic riding accessories. Francisco and his team work with international private clients, national museums, as well as luxury goods houses, such as Hermès, for which they once restored valuable horse blinkers. In 2005, DHD Dorantes officially became a supplier to the Spanish royal family, after the Royal Stables commissioned a harness for eight horses for the carriage of King Juan Carlos I.