I have a pair of Royal Riders knock-offs from Dover that have enabled me to ride, rather than quit due to ligament and joint injuries. I show in the equitation; last year I was able to switch into fillis irons and still feel fine, but I tried that the other day and couldn’t make it 5 minutes. I intend to spray paint my stirrups silver accordingly. (If they look so hideous that the judge cares, I guess I’ll just have to ride really well.) Has anyone done this, and what kind of paint did you use? How did you like the results?
One of my students did this to her black Royal Riders and they look fine. You can’t even tell in photos that anything is amiss. She shows in adult eq occasionally with no issues.
I probably wouldn’t get “silver” paint but would look more for a matte or semi gloss grey. Silver paint may end up being more metallic. I would use a Rust-Oleum spray paint. I would probably use a grey primer too, to help the paint last longer on the stirrups. Rust-Oleum spray paint is usable on a lot of different types of surfaces, I would just make sure the bottle says metal.
PS. I don’t have experience painting stirrups, just furniture. My Mom did have a pair of cowboy boots (showed western AQHA circuit) she spray painted silver.
They have so many spray paints now! I bet they have a matte silver. Menard’s have a large selection as does Hobby Lobby. Check Lowes and Home Depot as well as Walmart. Also try the garden areas as they may be promoting painting metal lawn furniture this time of year.
If the stirrups have a shiny, glossy finish, it would be a good idea to sand them lightly first. The paint will adhere better that way.
Wow - cheating much?
[QUOTE=Didi;8166488]
Wow - cheating much?[/QUOTE]
How in the world is that cheating? The rules say they cannot be black. There are no rules about the type of stirrup you use, just the color.
I don’t think changing now prohibited black irons to silver when the intent of the rule was to increase their visibility is cheating. How in the world do you get that? Under that theory darkening a new bridle would also be cheating, all you are doing is changing the color.
For OP, if they are metal? Paint won’t stick long term. Ask at your hardware store about how to prep them and with what.
If they are composite (plastic, carbon fiber etc,) probably good to go, but ask about that. Some products may adhere better. You don’t want the paint flaking off or spotted irons.
I recommend using Plasti-dip. It sprays on, and you can peel it off in one piece and re-apply when needed: http://www.plastidip.com/
I would sand first obviously, but maybe take out the tread pads and leave them black. That’s okay for the rules, plus the softer rubber they’re usually made of and the extra wear and tear from your boots and dirt won’t let paint stay on long. Plus I’d hate for you to have silver transfer to the bottom of your boots.
[QUOTE=comingback;8166516]
How in the world is that cheating? The rules say they cannot be black. There are no rules about the type of stirrup you use, just the color.[/QUOTE]
I could be wrong, but I thought you couldn’t use flex stirrups in the eq?
[QUOTE=Hunter/JumperMom;8166595]
I could be wrong, but I thought you couldn’t use flex stirrups in the eq?[/QUOTE]
The only thing EQ105 discusses is stirrup branch color, not type. And since flex stirrups can have silver branches, I would think flex stirrups are fine.
- The use of stirrups that have entirely black branches is not permitted in any Equitation class. The use of stirrups which have entirely black branches will automatically result in elimination.
[QUOTE=comingback;8166605]
The only thing EQ105 discusses is stirrup branch color, not type. And since flex stirrups can have silver branches, I would think flex stirrups are fine.[/QUOTE]
Yeah you can do flex stirrups. That’s why they specify “entirely” black branches, because things like the Herm Sprengers, have a small portion of black rubber at the joint.
I know I didn’t pay a lot for my flex stirrups years ago and they are silver, Dover has a set of jointed stirrups for under 50. I would think the paint would eventually flake off if you paint them.
Well, if you only use them for showing, and take care of them, keep them in stirrup covers, maybe the paint will not chip off so fast. Today’s spray paints are better than ever. Like stated above, find one that works with whatever material your stirrups are. Go paint them and ENJOY your ride!! The alternative (not riding) is just not an option! 
Good luck.
I think the composti stirrups now come in Silver colour as well…
[QUOTE=Ibex;8166946]
I think the composti stirrups now come in Silver colour as well…[/QUOTE]
So they do! Thank you for pointing this out- this may be a better long term solution. I was also worried about the durability of the paint job. Thanks for mentioning this, I hadn’t seen it in the catalogs.
To the poster who expressed concern about the rulebook, black stirrups are prohibited in equitation classes because they make it harder for the judge to differentiate leg position. The rule is about the color, not the composite material
(George Morris’s preference on the matter notwithstanding.)
I was excited and wanted to share - - I was at a horse show this week and found the “true” silver Royal Riders and bought them.
I did see the original attempt by Royal Rider for a silver but they were too dark.
According to the store I just purchased the silver from, he said they are new…
Here is a photo of them on my saddle… I have knee issues and these work well for me…
Renn,
I’m crippled without my Royal Riders. I saw these on Smartpak earlier this year and bought them for when I have to do equitation…
https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/mdc-s-flex-stirrup-11742
I bought them without hesitation, given that Smartpak will take anything back if the customer isn’t happy.
I think they look even more Equitationy with the metal than the Royal Riders and I feel no difference riding in them.
As I don’t equitate very often I’m happy to loan them to you for a month or two if you want to try them!
Best,
Rachel
DoubleS, I was happy to see “true silver” RR irons as well. I know a few people who had purchased them in gray, only to find out the hard way that judges still considered them too dark. I just don’t care for the price tag on the RR’s.
REH, that’s sweet of you, thank you for the offer! I ended up buying the light gray Compositi stirrups from Dover after Ibex pointed out that they now exist (yay!)
I had the flex stirrups for awhile, but they weren’t the best fits for my joints and torn-up soft tissue (more scar tissue at this point.) My doctor says my body looks great on MRI… for the 65-year-old I’ll be in 40 years. I consider wide track composite irons the best thing since sliced bread. At one point I’d come to terms with the idea that if it were fillis irons or nothing, I’d be riding without stirrups except at horse shows.
