Conference noted::equitation

    I have a pair (just english) i let em'
    it proably saved me from being hung and dragged by that 16.3 horse
    that bucked me off.... I dont think I ride with anything else now..
    
    now barrel racing quick release (western) you really dont save much,
    i got hung up bad with a quik release pretty bad about 4 years ago
    and hurt my ankle...
    
    		wendy o'
    

    Thanks, Wendy O!  I think I'll go for them.  I too am too old to
    get dragged and stomped on.  Not as tough as I used to be -- and don't 
    want to be, either.
    
    --ellie

    
    Another option is to use the PEACOCK stirrups.  These are the kind that
    have heavy rubberbands on the outsides of the stirrup.  I know a lot of 
    adults who use them.
    

I just bought a Wintec dressage saddle in August, and so I
recently went through the process of picking out new stirrups. 
The quick-release brand that you mention, made by the ski binding
company, also caught my eye.  But aren't they also advertised as
being very lightweight, made of aluminum? 

I think that a very light-weight stirrup is a disadvantage to
your security.  When I tried out my former instructor's saddle
(County Competitor), she bragged about her very heavy stirrup
irons, and she was right - heavy stirrup irons are very stable -
they don't swing around much and your foot can find them easily
again if you lose the stirrup. I myself only ride on the flat,
but she said she preferred heavy stirrups for jumping too.

[ Note: digression follows, recommendation at the bottom. ]

Then I went to several tack shops asking for heavy weight
stirrups and the clerks all acted like I was crazy and told me
ALL their Fillis stirrups were weighted, yet when I actually
hefted different stirrups they seemed to vary, so I ended up
taking my portable electronic kitchen scale to Dover Saddlery
(Wellesly, Mass.) to get some objective data!  (Now they
REALLY think I'm eccentric.)

My conclusions:  None of the available stirrups were quite as
heavy as my instructor's, possibly due to changes in the
manufacturing process/source.  I ended up buying slightly
oversized stirrups, 4 3/4-inch, to get the extra weight.  Also, I
bought the "angle-tread" style because that feature seemed
helpful.  (Not the same as "offset.")

If any of you are curious, the weight for single stirrups ranged from 
15 to 24 ounces, 4 1/2" Prussian-style to 4 3/4" Fillis-style.  That's 
half a pound of difference!

[ End digression ]

So, my recommendation would be for the Peacock type of quick-release
stirrup because they have the safety feature you're looking for, and
they are also nice and heavy.

    opps
    
    i think what i would call the quick release was what someone
    discribed as the peacock type (thats what i was talking about)
    
    as far as wieghted irons, yes you are right and yes they are easy to
    find, however.. have you had one hit you in the ankle??
    i have.... (its enuff to make you fall off)
    
    
    	wendy o'
    
    

The ski binding company that makes the new quick release stirrups is Look.
The quick release stirrups are funny looking; I don't know how well they work.
I've seen kids ride with the peacock stirrups but I don't know how well they
work either.

I prefer heavy irons, too, but yes, you pay the price if you loose one and it
swings up and hits you in the knee!

    Small note to -1.  They are excellent stirrups BUT have been known to
    breakaway at inopportune moments.  My trainer found this out, it was
    how can I say .... exciting??  Yes, they were adjusted within specs.