Silver FreeJump soft stirrups allowed in the Hunters and Equitation?

[princechamp20]

I recently switched over from my traditional fillis irons to the black FreeJump Soft’Up pro stirrups due to chronic joint pain. I previously shown exclusively in the jumpers, so this wasn’t an issue. But, this year, I’m planning on showing in the hunters and eq in addition to the jumpers. I heard FreeJump came out with a silver stirrup and I was wondering if it would be allowed in the the Hunters and Equitation? I have tried other stirrups but have not found anything as supportive and comfortable as the the FreeJumps.

Here’s a link to the stirrups: http://www.doversaddlery.com/soft-up-pro-premium-stirrups/p/SB-07036/?ids=ffqwk2zesnnav4pftkykup41

[findeight]

E mail USEF. Org. and attach that link to the picture. You’ll need to ask them on that one. Jumpers is fine, I think, but Eq might be an issue, I’m thinking its a no but ask them.

[Kat]

they are certainly fine for the hunters, but it I would email USEF for the equitation. I doubt they will result in elimination, but they will draw attention to you because they are unconventional. At worst this will directly effect your placing at best it will make the judge notice there is something different with you (not usually good). For all the $ you’re going to spend on the horse show, it would be prudent to buy/ borrow a pair of regular fillis irons (they can be found in the $30 range)

[Soaponarope]

I would advise against them in either hunters or eq but you could call USEF for an opinion. The silver ones would seem to fall into a grey area:) But anything unconventional can be a problem and showing is expensive.

It looks to me that under the new rule change at least up until September 1st, you can be disqualified for an unconventional stirrup. After that you can’t be disqualified, but you can always be discriminated against if the judge doesn’t like them.

Have you tried those big black plastic wraps that you can wrap around the foot bed? Everyone seems to love those with the jointed stainless stirrups.

Here is the new rule change:
http://www.chronofhorse.com/article/usef-approves-additional-hunterjumper-rule-changes

[princechamp20]

That’s what I have on my fillis irons, but I am still in pain. I have Chronic Lyme Disease which affects the joints in my legs, causing excessive pain. Regardless, I am still determined to be well rounded and compete successfully in all 3 rings. When I ride in my fillis irons, my joints become extremely painful and lock up, preventing me from effectively getting my heel down. With the the way the FreeJumps are designed, my joints don’t lock up and I can focus more on an effective position. I’ll have a chat with my trainer before contacting USEF.

[JenEM]

Have you tried something a little less unusual, like the Compositis/RoyalRiders/etc that looks a little more traditional but others have had good luck with as far as joint issues? I’ve used the grey/silver Compositis in the adult Eq with no issues, other than my knees being happier! Definitely email the USEF about those FreeJumps, but personally, I would not use those for Eq.

[touchstone]

If you find one with a fairly normal-looking shape but a non-silver color, spray paint is your friend. I got some wide-footbed composite stirrups after breaking my foot. No one can tell they weren’t silver when I bought them.

[greysfordays]

Can you let us know what you find out from the USEF, OP?

I have tried every stirrup under the sun and kept coming back to the fillis bc the others just weren’t worth the cost. Then in Europe while trying two new horses, I rode in the free jumps and holy moly, I couldn’t get over how great they were. I felt like I wasn’t fighting to be in position, my heel more naturally dropped and they were more comfy but not unstable. I still can’t really put into words why I prefer them, but I really and truly do. I have to think that someone like Beezie, who seems pretty wary of tack gimmicks, having them is at least interesting.

I probably won’t show in them any way bc bias is a hard thing to control but my hope is that they become as widespread as the jointed and royal rider stirrups which at one point looked wildly unconventional. I do wish they weren’t so ugly :no::lol:

[Soaponarope]

[QUOTE=princechamp20;8605425]
That’s what I have on my fillis irons, but I am still in pain. I have Chronic Lyme Disease which affects the joints in my legs, causing excessive pain. Regardless, I am still determined to be well rounded and compete successfully in all 3 rings. When I ride in my fillis irons, my joints become extremely painful and lock up, preventing me from effectively getting my heel down. With the the way the FreeJumps are designed, my joints don’t lock up and I can focus more on an effective position. I’ll have a chat with my trainer before contacting USEF.[/QUOTE]

Kudos to you for getting your bad self out there! I think you should definitely talk to USEF and you could also check the stirrups with the steward at shows and ask to explain your joint issues to the judge.

Good luck!

[princechamp20]

Thank you very much! That means a lot.

[princechamp20]

Absolutely! And I totally understand what you mean. I don’t think I ever want to ride in another stirrup iron again. I tried Royal Riders and I had the same problem as with my traditional irons. The jointed irons and the Lorenzini’s threw my balance off by a mile :eek: :lol:

[princechamp20]

[QUOTE=greysfordays;8605818]
Can you let us know what you find out from the USEF, OP?

I have tried every stirrup under the sun and kept coming back to the fillis bc the others just weren’t worth the cost. Then in Europe while trying two new horses, I rode in the free jumps and holy moly, I couldn’t get over how great they were. I felt like I wasn’t fighting to be in position, my heel more naturally dropped and they were more comfy but not unstable. I still can’t really put into words why I prefer them, but I really and truly do. I have to think that someone like Beezie, who seems pretty wary of tack gimmicks, having them is at least interesting.

I probably won’t show in them any way bc bias is a hard thing to control but my hope is that they become as widespread as the jointed and royal rider stirrups which at one point looked wildly unconventional. I do wish they weren’t so ugly :no::lol:[/QUOTE]

Absolutely! And I totally understand what you mean. I don’t think I ever want to ride in another stirrup iron again. I tried Royal Riders and I had the same problem as with my traditional irons. The jointed irons and the Lorenzini’s threw my balance off by a mile :eek: :lol:

[princechamp20]

[QUOTE=Soaponarope;8606107]
Kudos to you for getting your bad self out there! I think you should definitely talk to USEF and you could also check the stirrups with the steward at shows and ask to explain your joint issues to the judge.

Good luck![/QUOTE]

Thank you very much! That means a lot.

[MintHillFarm]

Black stirrups are not legal in the EQ. I know these aren’t all black, but the section that is on the outside, is. I would surmise that these fall into that black category. Reason being it makes it difficult to see the rider’s position in the iron, which I am sure you knew…

That being said, do they come in a different color? All silver maybe?

[princechamp20]

[QUOTE=MintHillFarm;8607544]
Black stirrups are not legal in the EQ. I know these aren’t all black, but the section that is on the outside, is. I would surmise that these fall into that black category. Reason being it makes it difficult to see the rider’s position in the iron, which I am sure you knew…

That being said, do they come in a different color? All silver maybe?[/QUOTE]

I wish I was hoping since it wasn’t entirely black, USEF would consider.

[greysfordays]

Yeah especially since it’s actually the outer branch that’s silver and the inner branch that’s black. It’s hard to tell from the pictures, but the thinner branch is the one on the outside. If you google image free jump stirrups, all the pros have them in different colors with the thinner colored branch to the outside.

the silver would look like this

[touchstone]

[QUOTE=princechamp20;8607725]
I wish I was hoping since it wasn’t entirely black, USEF would consider.[/QUOTE]

Seriously: Spray paint them. Problem solved.

[princechamp20]

Emailed USEF. This was their response: "There are not currently any requirement for stirrups in the Hunter chapter of the rule book, however the current rules regarding stirrups in hunter seat equitation classes require that stirrups be silver in color or non-colored stainless steel:

EQ105.6: " Stirrups must be silver in color or non-colored stainless steel. Riders entering the ring with stirrups that do not conform will be eliminated. (Exception: quick release safety stirrups and stirrups with jointed branches are permitted when the remaining area of the stirrup branch is silver in color or non-colored stainless steel and does not unduly obscure the judge’s view of the rider’s foot in the stirrup)."

There are new rules regarding stirrups that will go into effect on December 1, 2016 that read: " When showing in the Hunter/Jumping Seat Equitation section it is recommended that riders use traditional stainless steel stirrup irons that promote proper position of the foot in the iron as well as a correct leg position. It is further recommended that riders use stirrup irons that allow judges a clear and unobstructed view of the position of the foot in the stirrup. Judges may not eliminate a rider for using a particular style of stirrup iron. (Exception: see EQ101.4)" "

Based on what the response, I am under the impression that its fine for the hunters, but not the eq. The Freejumps will have to be sprayed or just stick with the traditional irons.

[doublesstable]

[QUOTE=princechamp20;8613969]
Emailed USEF. This was their response: "There are not currently any requirement for stirrups in the Hunter chapter of the rule book, however the current rules regarding stirrups in hunter seat equitation classes require that stirrups be silver in color or non-colored stainless steel:

EQ105.6: " Stirrups must be silver in color or non-colored stainless steel. Riders entering the ring with stirrups that do not conform will be eliminated. (Exception: quick release safety stirrups and stirrups with jointed branches are permitted when the remaining area of the stirrup branch is silver in color or non-colored stainless steel and does not unduly obscure the judge’s view of the rider’s foot in the stirrup)."

There are new rules regarding stirrups that will go into effect on December 1, 2016 that read: " When showing in the Hunter/Jumping Seat Equitation section it is recommended that riders use traditional stainless steel stirrup irons that promote proper position of the foot in the iron as well as a correct leg position. It is further recommended that riders use stirrup irons that allow judges a clear and unobstructed view of the position of the foot in the stirrup. Judges may not eliminate a rider for using a particular style of stirrup iron. (Exception: see EQ101.4)" "

Based on what the response, I am under the impression that its fine for the hunters, but not the eq. The Freejumps will have to be sprayed or just stick with the traditional irons.[/QUOTE]

Interesting… I am digging this thread out because I have been looking to buy these too for the same reason as you.

I read the rules as I bolded above that the Freejumps are safety stirrups and would apply to this section of the rule. As long as you buy the silver ones.

I think the response was not very complete in the answer and could be interpreted in several different ways…

Changing the subject a bit - to those of you that use the Freejumps, do you use your traditional leathers or did you buy the Freejump leathers?

They are so pricey - 395 for the stirrups and 235 for the leathers… I would like to make sure I really want them… Thanks…

[fordtraktor]

Doublesstable, I have the leathers and recently switched back to my normal leathers. I don’t think it makes a huge amount of difference feel-wise and I found the FreeJump leathers scratched my saddle leather. And since I was switching these stirrups from my extremely durable Smith Worthington, which they were marking up, to my extremely expensive and less durable Tad Coffin, I did not want to take a chance with them causing any more wear than necessary.

The leathers are great, but not at all required. I am keeping them around in case I get another pair of FreeJumps for my SW, which I would like to do, because I ADORE them, but won’t get the leathers for my TC.

I ordered mine from Amira Equi and it was much less expensive, though they still aren’t cheap. Not sure if the price has gone up. ETA: checked at they are still cheaper. I had no problems ordering there. I actually had to return my first set of leathers and that also went fine. They sent me another set in an updated style with no hassle. The return took a while but I expected that.