Cheese Grater Stirrups in the Eq Ring

[amnich123]

So since I’ve gotten my saddle and have a basic pair of phillis stirrups with the super comfort iron pads I’ve found that I’m more comfortable and secure with a pair of cheese grater stirrups since they keep my feet in place so I don’t have to constantly worry about the placement of my boot in the stirrup.

I’m doing the 3’ eq and my trainer prefers the type of stirrup I have now, which are classics as she does with all of her students.

I was looking at just switching out the comfort pads for the cheese grater ones they sell at Smartpak but after reading bad reviews about them staying in place, wiggling around or not being able to install I think I might go another route and buy a whole another stirrup all together.

So, any suggestions on cheese grater stirrups appropriate for the Eq ring that still give a classic look and won’t break the bank?

Was looking at the Equiwing, MDC, the Lorenzini Aluminum/Titanium Stirrups or the Royal Riders.

Suggestions or comments would be fantastic!

[Jumper_girl221]

I “believe” the only limitation in Eq is that the stirrup itself cannot be black.

I personally prefer the comfort pads to cheese graters Which I believe are allowed in eq. I’ve never heard of cheese graters not being allowed…

[goodlife]

I did the equitation with cheese grater stirrup pads, penalty-free. The trick is to get a set of pliers and really meld them into the Fillis iron once you pop them in. It stops the clanging noise that you hear when people with cheese graters do no-stirrup work. I never had an issue with them popping out in 5+ years.

[JenEM]

What about the ProJump stirrup pads? They’re no more expensive than a pair of fillis irons, and if you’ve already got plain irons, they screw right into the pad part, with a rubber layer, so they’re in tight, no moving around or noise. I’ve had my pair for almost 10 years, and the only sign of wear they’re showing is a bit of staining. I find them to be plenty grippy, and less likely to scratch/damage the leather than the cheese graters. I’ve not had any problem with slippage with them, even going XC when they may get a bit wet.

ETA: And they don’t look any different than regular stirrup irons, which is a help with the new rules for the eq. Sorry, this is probably the best picture I have from the side where you can see my stirrup.

I do have the Super Comfort pads on my dressage saddle, and feel like they’re an intermediate level of grippy between the ProJumps and regular fillis pads. I more like them for the bit of cushion they seem to provide.

[Renn_aissance]

I use the $15 cheese grater foot bed I popped into my regular Fillis irons. They’ve stayed put in the equitation ring as well as they stayed put foxhunting and riding cross country (which is why I got them in the first place.)

[wishfulthinking711]

I use the cheese grater stirrups that came with the grey Royal Riders I bought. I was not thrilled about the cheese grater part at first but now I love them! I think because I did not put them in is probably why they stay in place

[french_fry]

Just a warning that the cheese grater pads will absolutely destroy your lovely, brand new custom saddle. The discoloration of the scratches oils out so you can’t tell from afar but my saddle flaps are now nicely, erm, texturized where the cheese graters have scratched them.

Even if you’re diligent about never letting them rest against the flaps of the saddle when you roll your stirrups up, there will be a moment when you forget and lunge in them or someone else jumps on your horse or borrows your saddle and runs the stirrups up without thinking.

I’ve heard good things about the sandpaper pads and supposedly they’re less destructive. Also, the people at my barn who have these swear by them. EDIT: Oops, just noticed that these are what you’re currently using. Disregard!

Personally I like the look of a plain fillis iron in the eq ring so I’d stick with those and just change out the pads.

[PonyTX]

I’m not sure if they are legal for the eq ring, but I have had these https://www.smartpakequine.com/super-comfort-iron-pads-6038p?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=googlepla&utm_content=TES&utm_campaign=2109692271&cm_mmc=Google--googlepla--TES-_-2109692271&source=pla&gclid=CNv37Zzpn74CFaNj7AodrQwApA for the past 8ish years and I absolutely love them! Excellent grip and I haven’t had any issues with them damaging my saddle.

…and I just realized this is what you had, oops!

[7woHunter]

I definitely recommend the Equiwing Aluminum Wide Track stirrup irons-I have them and they are great! They come with a “gentle”, so to say, cheese grater pad that still has the grip but is not as sharp and won’t scratch your saddle (or so I’ve found). I’ve had them on my calfskin saddle for a month or two now (I know, not long, but I’ve only just gotten them) and they haven’t done anything to my saddle that I’ve noticed. Maybe a little rub/brush up here or there but that may be from something else.
Anyways, I digress. The wide track is much more comfortable to ride with and the grip is great!
http://www.amazon.com/Equi-Wing-Aluminum-Stirrup-Irons/dp/B002HWMY1W
And because they are the aluminum ones, they are fine for the eq ring.

[keatssu]

In regards to the pads that you can buy for your Fillis irons - I have used them for years without damaging my saddle (calfskin flaps, CWD). As someone else said, use pliers. After they were in place we used a small amount of clear caulk around the edges which took care of the small amount of movement. I love them, my foot stays in place. I’ve ridden in my friend’s saddle with the regular pads and I feel much more secure in the cheese graters. I’ve also used the comfort pads, they are less grippy and they’re bulky.

[kmcnam]

[QUOTE=7woHunter;7570377]
I definitely recommend the Equiwing Aluminum Wide Track stirrup irons-I have them and they are great! They come with a “gentle”, so to say, cheese grater pad that still has the grip but is not as sharp and won’t scratch your saddle (or so I’ve found). I’ve had them on my calfskin saddle for a month or two now (I know, not long, but I’ve only just gotten them) and they haven’t done anything to my saddle that I’ve noticed. Maybe a little rub/brush up here or there but that may be from something else.
Anyways, I digress. The wide track is much more comfortable to ride with and the grip is great!
http://www.amazon.com/Equi-Wing-Aluminum-Stirrup-Irons/dp/B002HWMY1W
And because they are the aluminum ones, they are fine for the eq ring.[/QUOTE]

Do you have a picture of them you could post? I would love to see how they look on a saddle/in use in natural light but I’ve only been able to find stock photos.

[7woHunter]

[QUOTE=kmcnam;7571102]
Do you have a picture of them you could post? I would love to see how they look on a saddle/in use in natural light but I’ve only been able to find stock photos.[/QUOTE]

Yes I do! Here are some pictures of them:

http://s354.photobucket.com/user/heelsdownshouldersback/media/461_zpsfabfff6d.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0
http://s354.photobucket.com/user/heelsdownshouldersback/media/407_zpsa35c3531.jpg.html?sort=3&o=1
http://s354.photobucket.com/user/heelsdownshouldersback/media/DSC_0221_zpsc3eeeac3.jpg.html?sort=3&o=2

Here’s a picture that lets you see the pattern of the cheese grater pads a little better:
http://s354.photobucket.com/user/heelsdownshouldersback/media/DSC_0226_zpsdc1a514d.jpg.html?sort=3&o=2
And what they look like from the front:
http://s354.photobucket.com/user/heelsdownshouldersback/media/433_zps77f2c527.jpg.html