Manufacturers can submit products to check for compliance.
Fresh data on rider injury has prompted the American horse sports regulator to introduce new rules for safety stirrups.
US Equestrian (USEF) highlights incidents in which riders were injured because their clothing or body got caught on a stirrup with an upward-pointing projection while dismounting.
Not all stirrups with emergency release features are banned, however.
Those which have closed branches in their non-activated state remain compliant. Although if there is a gap in the stirrup’s outline, a moveable branch must sit inside the stirrup’s plane.
Enforcement of the new rule will be staggered. From 1 December, officials are to issue verbal warnings. But from 1 December, 2026, enforcement will be applied with sanctions.
A USEF task force will meet twice yearly to review new stirrup designs. Manufacturers can submit products for review to determine compliance at Stirrup Design Review Application. Completed forms should be sent to lmangan@usef.org.
“We understand this change is controversial,” said US Equestrian chief of sport David O’Connor.
“Although injuries from safety stirrups are statistically uncommon according to our data, they can be significant and are preventable with the selection of certain styles.
“We believe this change to the rule allows [riders] to use a breakaway style stirrup if they prefer while reducing the risk of unintended harm.”
The USEF has issued this guidelines sheet to explain which styles are considered compliant.
