What's REALLY going on with the New Rule on Safety Stirrups?
By now your head might be swimming with many punctuated by a cry “Peacock Irons are Banned” expert opinions” circulating. That statement is true, however this does not cover the complete story of the new thinking about safety stirrups and what riders and trainers need to know. There are a number of fairly pricey high-tech “safety” models that seem to be everywhere in print, online or endorsed by your favorite influencer. How can you really know what is permitted? …. or, worse yet, NOT!
USEF rules regarding Exhibitor Safety Equipment including Protective Headgear, Body Protecting Vests, Boots (footwear) fall under GR801. “Footwear” simply says that a shoe with a distinguishable heel must be worn when mounted. Last January a new safety category was added entitled Saddle Attachments. This new 801.1, passed last year, will be enforced effective at the beginning of the next competition year, which starts December 1, 2026. The new rule states:
Beginning December 1, 2025, no piece of equipment shall be attached to a saddle that has a rigid upward pointing projection, hook, or similar object capable of catching a rider’s clothing or person when dismounting, including stirrups.
Continue reading to learn more . . .
Safety stirrups might set your foot free, however depending upon the design, they might catch a body, clothing, spur straps or even a loose-fitting half chap and leave a rider hanging by a limb. This issue is the essence of the purpose of GR801.1.
The design of the Peacock Stirrup is what the rule covers as “rigid upward pointing projection, hook”. That hook has caught clothing and impaled riders who slide rather than the mini vault off in dismounting from the saddle. These reports were why the Pony Club voted last year to disallow them for their activities beginning last January.
LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT STIRRUPS
The USEF Safety Committee took a broader look at the potential for problems, now that the specialized stirrup iron business has taken off like the continued explosion of models of bits available!
Permitted vs Not Permitted (some design examples - but not intended to be an exhaustive listing) and the application of the new Rule
I have pulled together some physical examples (images) of the rule language in hopes that you will get a sense of the purpose and principles of this safety initiative. It is not the USEF Official Stirrup Resource Guide, which is online and updated whenever additions are made.
The original design Peacock Iron. If the stirrup has a hook or a rigid upward projection, capable of catching the rider or their clothing and it is not permitted.
STIRRUPS WITH MECHANICALLY CLOSED BRANCHES
If the safety mechanism that opens “from the bottom” or “from the top” level with the tread is likely permitted, as long as the branch swings open fully open in order to not trap the foot or catch on to clothing or other equipment.
STIRRUPS WITH OPEN BRANCHES
Note: historically, open branches are not permitted for dressage, The new General Rule dimension WILL ALSO APPLY for dressage: that is, the gap or opening may not exceed 1.5 cm. 1.5cm is just a bit wider than 1/2".
If the safety stirrup features an Open outside branch, the top of open side must curve in line or inside the angle of the outside branch. In other words it must curve in toward the “eye” through which the stirrup leather is attached.
If the safety stirrup mechanism rotates from the top, so the bottom of the branch moves away from the foot tread, the stirrup would be permitted.
If the outside branch is open it must be curved inward below the top and be fully flexible to release any clothing that might be caught on it. The length of the open branch needs to be sufficiently flexible to bend away and down during the fall. As shown, it is likely to be “not permitted”. This stirrup branch is not curved under and the opening exceeds the 1.5 cm required. This style of iron is not permitted.
Another option for an open outside branch might be to close the opening (remember that open branch stirrups are NOT permitted in dressage).
However the entire open branch opens 180 degrees to prevent anything from catching. Therefore this model is likely to be permitted.
Hinged at the top/opening at the bottom, as these branches are unlikely to catch loose clothing, they would be “permitted”.
With an option that could change the same stirrup to “likely permitted” by closing the branch while keeping the “mechanism” that allows the opening of the branch to rotate 180 degrees and detach completely from the rest of the stirrup.
Fully flexible outside branch - likely to be permitted
And finally in my show and tell of safety stirrups is a closed branch stirrup that features an entirely flexible outside branch that “pops off” a pin when pressure is applied. Although the pin is at the top of the iron, the entire length of the outside arm is completely flexible and can rotate well below the foot part. This would allow any material caught to slide off.
Compliant or Not Compliant?
Applicable USEF Rule
GR801 Exhibitor Safety Equipment
Saddle Attachments: Beginning December 1, 2025, no piece of equipment shall be attached to a saddle that has a rigid upward pointing projection, hook, or similar object capable of catching a rider’s clothing or person when dismounting, including stirrups.
For the 2026 competition year, USEF officials will issue a verbal warning for the use of non-compliant stirrups to ensure competitor awareness. No riders are to be withheld from competition due to the presence or use of non-compliant stirrups. Beginning December 1, 2026, the rule will be enforced in the manner outlined within each breed or discipline chapter for the use of prohibited tack or equipment.
Not sure if your stirrups are compliant?
Factors to Consider in Determining Compliance with GR801.6
Considerations when evaluating a stirrup in relation to its permitted use under GR801.6 include:
a. When the release mechanism is not activated, the safety stirrup must have closed branches, or an outside branch with a gap, not to exceed 1.5 cm, that fully aligns with the outside plane of the stirrup, or
b. If the safety stirrup, when the release mechanism is not activated, has an outside branch that is not closed and has a gap, that branch must lie inside the plane of the stirrup
**Please note that if specific breed or discipline chapters in the USEF rulebook have more stringent rules regarding the use of certain stirrups, those more stringent rules prevail.
IN SUMMARY
I hope these examples of the many types of safety stirrups available will help you to make wise choices! This new rule does not take effect until December 1, 2026.
In the meantime, take a look at your stirrups! If you are a traditional basic fillis iron rider, make sure that the size is appropriate for your shoe size: you should have about a finger width of space to ensure your foot does not get trapped if you fall. Conversely an iron that is too large tends to slip around on your foot, which can effect balance as well as comfort! The “rule of thumb” is children’s iron’s are 4 ¼ - 4 1/2. Adult irons through foot size 10 are typically are 4 ¾”, with men’s sized irons at 5”.
Check your tack for signs that repairs or replacement are needed.
And of course, always wear an approved safety helmet…. every ride and every time!
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Stirrup Pads WhiteOut of stock -
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Stirrup Pads Sure GripOut of stock -
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