Tanguy Saulnier found his love for horses in his native France before making the leap to Texas.
French cutting trainer Tanguy Saulnier can confirm that everything is bigger in Texas. After hopping across the pond to pursue his dream, Saulnier has established himself as one heck of a horseman.
The European cowboy sat down with C&I during our 2024 fall fashion photoshoot to talk about his international journey.
100X felt hat in Black Cherry, shortyshattery.com; Classic pinpoint shirt, schaeferoutfitters.com; Maroon cowboy sports coat, espueladesignco.com; Cinch jeans, Serna boots (Tanguy’s own).
Cowboys & Indians: When were you introduced to the horse world?
Tanguy Saulnier: My dad had a couple of horses around, but I wasn’t very interested in it. I was playing rugby. But I had friends around me that were riding reining horses and cow horses. And I thought that was awesome. I wanted to do that after that. And I tried to go full send. I started riding horses every day. I was 13 or 14 years old at that time. Then I went to school. It was a jumping school, so I had to do jumping, dressage, cross country. It was quite something.
C&I: What was the transition from Europe to Texas like?
Saulnier: I worked in Italy for two years. It was the full experience. But it was reining and cutting in the same place. And then when I got here, everything got bigger. More horses, more trainers, more shows. Everything was just bigger.
Sahara felt cowboy hat, resistol.com; Quilted vest, scullyleather.com; Western denim snap shirt, schaeferoutfitter.com; Cinch jeans, cinchjeans.com; Belt, buckle, and Serna boots (Tanguy’s own).
C&I: What is the cutting scene in France like?
Saulnier: It’s pretty small, I would say. It’s probably not even a show a month. There’s a few people that are very passionate, so they really want to keep putting on cuttings, but it’s definitely small.
C&I: What do you think about Texas so far?
Saulnier: I love it. For cutting horses and reining, it’s just the place to be. Great horses. It’s just incredible.
C&I: What’s your goal within this industry?
Saulnier: I would love to win the Futurity.
Follow Tanguy Saulnier on Instagram @tanguy.saulnier and check him out in our 2024 fall fashion look book.
Interview conducted by Chad Isham
PHOTOGRAPHY: Sara Forrest
