Speaking of the jointed vs. non-jointed debate… I heard there is a new USEF rule that states NO black stirrups are allowed in the Equitation’s because people are using magnets?
I can’t find this in text and I have not had time to dig for it, but has anyone heard of this coming about recently? I would really love to read it in CONTEXT rather than from the horses mouth…
It is up before USEF at the convetion this week. It is passes would go into effect next 12/1.
I expect it will pass, and the rule has nothing to do with jointed vs. non-jointed. It simply says that black stirrups are not allowed in the equitation. The reason was that judges could not see a black stirrup against a dark horse to tell if it was lost, etc.
I don’t think magnets are the reason; the magnetic OnTyte stirrups come in a traditional steel version as well. It’s more that the judge cannot see the rider’s leg/heel position on a dark horse with dark stirrups.
I can’t find it in the rule book yet, but here is the new rule copied from the January edition of In Stride: “EQ110 states that the use of black stirrups is not permitted in any equitation class. The use of black stirrups will result in elimination.”
Not sure if this is effective 12/1/12 or not… I wish they would clarify what black stirrups exactly means - obviously the composite ones are out, but what about the Herm Sprenger jointed ones (which are very popular in the eq ring)?
[QUOTE=iEquitate;6778469]
I wish they would clarify what black stirrups exactly means - obviously the composite ones are out, but what about the Herm Sprenger jointed ones (which are very popular in the eq ring)?[/QUOTE]
That is exactly what I was thinking and why I put that “speaking of non-jointed v. jointed” in there, because I see a ton of upper level equitation riders with the Sprengers!
Black means black. ie the color is the issue, not the type of stirrup. Imagine sitting in the judges booth watching a dark bay horse, rider with a black stirrup and black boots. You cannot tell where the stirrup is on the foot, or even if it was dropped (assuming rider has a good leg).
If you like the stirrup you have and it is black, let me show your the spray can aisle at your nearest Lowes 
This was even suggested at the convention as an option to buying new stirrups.
[QUOTE=Molly99;6780020]
Black means black. ie the color is the issue, not the type of stirrup. Imagine sitting in the judges booth watching a dark bay horse, rider with a black stirrup and black boots. You cannot tell where the stirrup is on the foot, or even if it was dropped (assuming rider has a good leg).[/QUOTE]
I totally get what you are saying, but I think what we are saying is what about those Sprengers… Which are highly popular and only part of them are black. I understand its hard to see with the all black stirrups, but I guess we are just wondering if they are going to lay out what IS and ISN’T allowed, period. Not just “black”… THOUGH the spray paint idea is very smart. It’s also not like a rider can’t change to some cheap, all metal irons for a couple minutes in the ring then change back. At least, that is what I would do.
My trainer is a judge and she confirmed this. It’s pretty much b/c they can’t see your foot in the stirrup properly (for stirrup placement and whether or not you still have your stirrup when looking at a distance) due to the black on black color. I will have to change my stirrups if I decide to step in the eq ring. pout
Is it black stirrups or black stirrup pads? Can you still use the grippy black pads?
[QUOTE=Molly99;6780020]
If you like the stirrup you have and it is black, let me show your the spray can aisle at your nearest Lowes This was even suggested at the convention as an option to buying new stirrups.[/QUOTE]
Wow, really? Seems like it could very easily rub off on horse, girth and boots. Huh. Interesting.
Not that it affects me (not showing) but I too wonder if that include the jointed type with the black jointed area. Will be interesting to see how this ends.
I would assume all black stirrups. Anyway, look at a rider with the Springer stirrups that little bit of black rubber does not conceal the foot when a rider is on a bay horse with her black boots! There’s still a LOT of silver and you can easily see where the foot is 
Now the bigger question is: Why does an eq rider need a jointed stirrup? Hopefully not to keep heels down! 
Silver duct tape will take care of the little black rubber sleeve covering the joint on Sprengers.
For all others, there’s Krylon
[QUOTE=kimball1;6780071]
Is it black stirrups or black stirrup pads? Can you still use the grippy black pads?[/QUOTE]
I seriously doubt it’s the black pad itself. They do nothing to camouflage a black shod foot and stirrup from view.
[QUOTE=eclipse;6780171]
Now the bigger question is: Why does an eq rider need a jointed stirrup? Hopefully not to keep heels down! ;)[/QUOTE]
I ride in them for medical purposes, not that I do Eq’s anymore anyway!
I spoke with my trainer as well and she was in contact with those putting forward this new rule … as people say it’s about the color, not the brand, or the jointing, or magnets, etc. Judges cannot see the Black stirrup irons against the horse and rider’s boot and therefore have difficulty making correct judgements. I don’t think there is anything more to this.
That said, I have to go buy new stirrup irons - bleagh!
So those with knee pain in fillis irons and found Royal Riders (black) stirrups to work - what are the options?
I too thought about spraying the RR with silver paint. If you prep the surface and use a paint designed for plastic it should work… I actually prefer fillis but they kill my knees for some reason.
I ride both Hunters and Eq so EEEEKKK. Not real happy about the rule. I understand why some want to do it but what about black gloves? Are they going to rule those out since they cannot see your hands??
I really think rules for things like this are wrong. IMHO!
EquiWing makes silver wide track (similar to Royal Rider) stirrups. I’ve got a pair of them. The pair I linked to has an onion grater pad, but they also come with rubber grips and I believe they’re interchangeable.
http://www.amazon.com/Equiwing-Aluminum-Stirrup/dp/B002HWGT3G
I just got off the phone with Royal Riders and had a conversation about this new proposed rule. I don’t know for sure if the rule has been adopted?
But they did say they are looking into making a grey color that doesn’t look like plastic.
What I like about the RR is they are flexible and shock absorbing… I think I am going to write USEF if they haven’t already adopted this rule to plead to them that there are those of us that have shin splints and bad knees from years of riding and use the shock absorbing stirrups for pain issue NOT to hide anything.
I even thought of making a sleeve to go on the branches of my stirrups… then they wouldn’t be black. I am kind of annoyed by this new proposed rule.
All I could find on the no black stirrup rule was a DRAFT…
[QUOTE=doublesstable;6836362]
I just got off the phone with Royal Riders and had a conversation about this new proposed rule. I don’t know for sure if the rule has been adopted?
But they did say they are looking into making a grey color that doesn’t look like plastic.
What I like about the RR is they are flexible and shock absorbing… I think I am going to write USEF if they haven’t already adopted this rule to plead to them that there are those of us that have shin splints and bad knees from years of riding and use the shock absorbing stirrups for pain issue NOT to hide anything.
I even thought of making a sleeve to go on the branches of my stirrups… then they wouldn’t be black. I am kind of annoyed by this new proposed rule.[/QUOTE]
D’oh, I was thinking of a different kind of Royal Rider I’d seen… GJ fail. Someone earlier suggested using a silver paint, could that work?
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