Non Traditional Stirrups in the Show Ring?

[sapphiremoon]

Specifically asking this in terms of color. I know silver is recommended for eq but it looks like any color is allowed in the hunters.
I’m wondering what the general attitude is towards stirrups in colors other than silver for the show ring?

Right now I’m considering buying a pair of Lemiuex vectors. These will be my first non-traditional stirrups and I’m not used to having more than one color to choose from lol! I’m debating between rose gold or the carbon/silver two-tone shade. Do we think these would be totally unacceptable in the Hunter or eq ring? I’m not super competitive these days so maybe it doesn’t matter but I’m just looking for opinions before I buy.

Link to the stirrups: https://www.lemieux.com/us/horsewear/saddlery-tack/vector-balance-stirrup-black-rose-gold-one-size#selection.color=7028&selection.size=6703

[MHM]

From the USEF rule book:

[Foitin]

Black stirrups are totally normal in the hunter ring. The two hunter professionals in our barn have black stirrups on their 6 or 7 saddles and show everywhere in them. The Flex-on Safeon is a popular model with riders at our farm, I have that, and a good number have the Flexon Hunter stirrups (I don’t care for the shape). The stainless Flexon Hunter model is popular (or was) with eq riders. I don’t think that I would use any color other than black or stainless just to avoid drawing any more attention to my less than perfect lower leg and foot position in the stirrup. Good luck!!

[sapphiremoon]

I’ve read the rule book. I’m moving away from traditional stirrups because I am looking for a safety stirrup. I am asking about color not style. Just curious if others have used non-silver stirrups at shows.

[rockonxox]

I see black and silver at our shows. That carbon/ silver wouldn’t be abnormal. I have never seen any other color stirrups in hunters or eq (C, B, and A rated) at the shows I work. However, jumpers absolutely have seen some fun ones. You can use other colors and not be dinged for it, but know that having something flashy or different may cause the judges eye to be drawn specifically to your stirrups so best have a real solid leg in the eq. I sit next to the judges at the shows I help run and get to hear all the comments about unconventional tack (not in a negative way… more like “well that’s certainly a choice”).

[Hoofbeat_Heartbeat]

If you end up buying these, let me know how you like them! I’m also looking for a safety stirrup that would “blend in” in the hunters/Eq.

[dmveventer]

Even the silver Vectors are going to stand out IMO. They’re just bulkier than normal stirrups and draw the eye. If blending in is your goal I would lean towards black stirrups if you’re set on a non-traditional shape since the dark colors draw less attention, or look at safety stirrups with a more traditional design like the American Equus Hunter model.

FWIW the different stirrup designs can ride pretty differently, how they fit you is going to be as important as style. I have a pair of the Vector stirrups that are gathering dust in my locker because I found them really uncomfortable to ride in. Definitely recommend buying from somewhere with a good return policy, learn from my mistake!

[Orbit_Orange]

I personally wouldn’t use any color besides silver in the Eq and silver or black in the hunters. But I’m a traditionalist. I have the American Equus hunter escape safety stirrup for a safety stirrup with a more classic look.

[kaya842]

@dmveventer

Even the silver Vectors are going to stand out IMO. They’re just bulkier than normal stirrups and draw the eye.

I disagree here. They aren’t much different than the Flex On, Tech, etc stirrups that I see all over the place. I certainly wouldn’t say they “draw the eye”. I have a pair of vectors on my saddle and think they look normal/ non intrusive in photos and such.

Mine are black so YMMV, but I had to SEARCH for a photo where they were noticeable at all. On my darker bay, you can’t see them at all.

[dmveventer]

Which is why I suggested black if blending in is a concern. The lighter colors do make it obvious you’re using something other than traditional fillis irons, which is true for all the stirrups you listed off, which may get OP dinged or at least draw extra attention from some judges.

[wanderlust]

I would not purchase rose gold or anything two-toned if you are going to show in the hunter or eq ring. The all black and all silver versions are perfectly appropriate.

I didn’t get the safety version, but I did recently purchase a pair of Tech Turin Plus hunter stirrups in silver and they are awesome. I’d imagine their safety stirrups are also great. Less expensive than the Flex-ons by quite a bit as well.