Recently I had a lesson on my friend’s horse because my trainer will sometimes have us ride each other’s horses (so we don’t just get used to riding one way). The stirrups on her saddle were the most incredibly comfortable stirrups I’ve ever ridden in. After looking at the brand on the stirrups and confirming with her, I found out that they were MDC Hunter Classic Stirrups. I’ve always used regular fills stirrups, but after riding in these my ankles weren’t sore and I found that my heel stayed down easier, plus the wide footbed provided stability. This was in a SJ lesson, however we worked a lot more with poles and core exercises. Because of this, I’m not going to buy them right away. Basically, my question is- Do they provide adequate support while jumping? I know they’re hunter stirrups and I event, but I’ve never found an XC pair of stirrups I liked.
I couldn’t keep them on my feet over fences, found it strange because I rarely lose a stirrup, so I sold them. Bought FreeJumps, love them.
ETA - I think mine had the “s” shaped top, not sure if that had anything to do with my inability to hang onto them. The FreeJumps also have an offset eye.
I know that the hunter ones have a regular top. The ‘S’ ones have the strange top that’s supposed to aid with leg position or something.
Yes I love them. I ride in the A/O hunters and they’re the best things I’ve found. I find stirrup preference is individual so you might see if you can borrow your friends for a couple jump lessons before you commit.
That sounds like a good idea. I might go to the barn tomorrow and ask if I can borrow her stirrups to pop my guy over a few 2’ - 2’6 jumps, just to see 
I have the “S” Classics, and I love them. They completely changed the ankle/foot pain I was getting, and I didn’t find that I lost them over fences.
I had the S classics and sold mine as well. Kept losing them over fences too. Interesting they work for others.
Just a hypothesis, but perhaps it’s the shoe size? Idk, but because they’re wider from front to back than a normal stirrup and a smaller shoe size would have more space taken up than a bigger shoe size. Just an idea :lol:
I was wondering this, too! I normally wear around a 7.5. But - the FreeJump also has a wider footbed, and I don’t lose those - the surface is much grippier though, and I bought the petite version.
The hunter style is my favorite!! The other variations are super uncomfortable IMO, I just like the wide footbed. They are also a bit heavier than JIN stirrups.
I love my hunter classics! Total game changer for me. No foot or ankle pain and I never lose a stirrup now.
I have them, and have done a little bit of everything in them, including xc. I do find that because of the lack of pad they aren’t super comfortable for long rides but other than that I like them.
I know that the footbeds are designed to not be cheese grater-y, but maybe it could also be A) the bottom will grind down on boots with lower quality soles, or B) the soles on different boots grip differently. Idk. Because rubber on rubber sticks better, maybe it also depends on how much weight people have in their stirrups.
From Smartpak, their weight is 2.5 lbs and I believe the JIN stirrups are less than 1lb? I believe most Fillis stirrups also weigh 2.5lbs, which I find strange because the Hunter Classics are supposed be lighter? Idk, I’d only use them on my CC/SJ saddle, not my dressage one but I don’t like super light stirrups so ig they’d be good.
I love mine. LOVE them. They eliminated most of the ankle pain I had riding in my old flex stirrups. And I fidget a lot less with my feet because they feel so secure. I like that the pads are grippy but not aggressively so like the true cheese-grater stirrups pads feel. I will sing their praises all day long.
If you don’t mind me asking, is your shoe size above or below 6.5? I’m just trying to figure out if that’s maybe why some people lose their stirrups and others don’t. I’m a 9.5 women’s, so I think I’d be find but still.
Interesting question about shoe size. I wear a size 6 shoe and I have the S Classic MDC, but in the “Pony” size. The foot bed is 4 or 41/2 inches. I like them a lot. Very comfortable and I haven’t lost them O/F’s. Yet.
I’m a size 10 shoe and I love my MDC hunter classics. I do not have a problem with losing them. (But maybe that’s because my big ol’ clown feet can hold onto anything…)
Ah, yes, that could also contribute. I know that the Hunter Classics don’t come in pony size. Maybe that’s another reason.
I am a size 9.5 and have them and love them. Purchased them last year. They are heavier than my previous filis irons. I like the grip they have. I also purchased wide leathers (Ovation but am springing for Millbrook soon as mine can’t go short enough) which were also a complete game changer. Never had such a stable leg.
