TESTIMONIALS

Lesley Stanworth, January 2013

Hi Jane, I want to tell you that the (Escape) safety stirrups saved me from dreadful injury or even death yesterday.

Whilst hacking out with a couple of friends and their horses one of the horses bolted and the rest followed in a mass panic.  I came off my horse onto the road but thankfully, I was prevented from being dragged three miles down a tarmacked road because I was riding in some SmartRider safety stirrups. From the first day I used them 2 years ago I have never given them a thought until yesterday.  I can recommend them to anyone who rides on the back of a horse.  Accidents do happen and people fall off.  I would say that it is better to hit the ground and not be dragged along.

Thank you, they did their job beautifully.

Louise Graham, Editor of Equestrian Life Magazine

Hi Jane

SmartRider UK Stirrups - Escape

I found them very comfy to ride in; I love the fact they are so light, it makes my saddle easier to carry and put on.  The fun purple colour of the ones I chose restrict what they can be used for, only pleasure rides, hacking, endurance, trec etc, but not dressage or showing; but I found them great for everyday riding.  There are more traditional colours available if you prefer them.  They have the built-in Escape safety factor and I am all for anything that helps to make riding as safe as possible..

They also do the ’Classic’ stainless steel traditional looking stirrups that would look very smart for dressage and showing.

NB the Black Escape and the Stainless Steel Classic stirrups are permitted by British Dressage for their competitions. .

Max Easey sent us this report when she and Bryan and their horses completed a marathon ride across Wales and back - summer 2012

’It was awesome - we hand done months of physical mental and emotional preparation of the horses, spent a long time choosing all the right kit and making sure it was up to the job.

Thanks for the (Escape) stirrups Jane and Clive - they did the job although we never had to test their breakaway properties!  All the prep paid off and we all came back fit and sound with no sore spots and in good shape.

We clocked up 160 miles in 76 hours on the trail with an ascent of 24,700 feet in 9 days.

Elaine Gunter came to tell us how delighted she was with her SmartRider UK Escape safety stirrups at the Ashover Show, Derbyshire, in August 2012

Having ridden in SmartRider UK ’Escape’ safety stirrups now for over a year, I can honestly say they are the best things I have ever ridden in.

Having had a knee replacement they take a lot of the shock out of riding and enable me to ride for longer periods of time than the traditional metal stirrups I was using.  They are brilliant and certainly the best investment since the horse!

Mandy, Devon

Hi Jane, the stirrups were really quick, as they arrived on Wednesday, but I didn’t actually get them out and onto the saddle until Friday.

I have ridden in them once and they were great, I forgot all about them when out, so I think that says it all.  If you are conscious of something you are wearing or using, then it usually means it is not comfortable.  I had no aches and pains when I got back, which was great.  I usually get some ache or something as I have a bad back which affects my legs as well.  So far so good, so thank you very much.

They felt very secure which was a very nice feeling.  I have sent your links onto my friend as she is looking for some new stirrups and I think she will like them, so you may have another sale soon.

I have watched the videos and it all seems quite straight-forward.  I have also practised opening and closing the stirrup before I first used them.  I will, as suggested, get my horse used to the sound of the clicking together before I attempt to use them as a ladder.

With best wishes and thanks.

Katy Mchechnie

Hi Jane, stirrups arrived mega fast and were fitted almost as quickly!!!  Daughter loves them and I instantly feel so much more secure knowing she is safe.  Thank you once again for all your help. .

Helen Newton

Hi Jane, Brown Escape stirrups arrived safely yesterday thank you.  I already have a pair that I bought from you at Your Horse Live and am very pleased with them.  They came into effect last week whilst going through a narrow gateway and the stirrup got caught on the gate catch.  This new pair is for my other horse’s saddle.

Cheers!

Liz Farquhar, S Lanarkshire, Scotland. 31.3.10

Hi Jane, stirrups (leather covered Escapes) arrived on Saturday and I tried them out - they are great, hopefully will never have to test them fully; if you see what I mean. The other liveries were very impressed so hopefully!!! I placed the leaflets on the notice board at the yard.

My own opinion for what its worth, is that all riding schools and trekking centres should use safety stirrups as most of their clients are children or novice riders and let us face it we label some horses school masters and 100% bomb proof the reality is that they will revert back to flight if the situation arises, as you know it is only the experience of the rider that can pre-empt a disaster and take remedial action before anything escalates.

My own accident happened whilst taking a lesson in an indoor school with an experienced instructor, as I was winding down he turned around to speak to another pupil and the horse I was on spooked and bolted as a mouse ran across the school, how silly is that. My foot caught in the stirrup and I was dragged along and my femur was broken in several places. Three years on two crutches and three operations later I ended up with a complete hip replacement. I would endorse your Escape stirrups 100%.

By law we must wear a riding hat to British safety standard, I would also make it law that Escape stirrups are used. Horse riding is in the top three most dangerous sports and we who love to ride should do so as safely as possible and set an example to the up and coming riders.

Sue Thomas of Transcend Equine, 28 November 2010

I bought my leather covered Escape Breakaway stirrups in July at the Festival of the Horse, and have been riding on them ever since.

They look really smart with my brown saddle, almost look western. They have a wider foot bed which is comfortable, but best of all, I know that if I do part company from my horse, I could not be dragged. Having said that, I would not want to put them to the test!!! preferring not to fall off at all.

I do find that knowing that the stirrups are safe gives me added confidence, and an added bonus of being able to get back on if there is nothing to stand on.

At Your Horse Live I bought my daughter the Classic Breakaway stirrups, as she prefers a more traditional look. Now I don’t have to worry about her being dragged if she falls off either, so even less to worry about.

The increased confidence has a knock on effect of transmitting to the horses too, leading to an upward spiral of mutual trust and confidence.

The technology behind the stirrups is awesome, such a clever idea you wonder it has taken so long to develop.

Visit the site at http://www.transcendequine.co.uk

Karen Comerford, Scotland, September 2009

Hi Jane,   Many thanks for the very prompt service - the stirrups arrived yesterday and I have been out for a ride this morning with them!!

They seem fine - as you said - I had to raise the holes in the stirrup leathers a couple of holes but after I had done that they felt very comfortable.

Angela Hunt, Derbyshire, 18 July 2009

Hi, I had a fantastic ride Sun at Eakring, thanks to your stirrups as well as brill location. I had to go alone so had no one to open the only gate on ride, so had to dismount. I had to use stirrup to get on, it worked great. Later on was dying for a wee, don't laugh, right in the middle of miles of corn fields. Dead flat and would still be walking now if not for stirrups as had to dismount again.

After that I could relax and enjoy rest of ride knowing it didn't matter if I had to get off again. Quite a few people asked me about my stirrups and with me having to use them, I really sang their praises. I felt I'd got complete freedom knowing I wouldn't get dragged if I came off and I could get on if I had to get off. It was a great feeling being I had to ride alone. Ang xx

Extracts from Keep it Natural forum discussion April 2009

I was visiting friends in Derbyshire this weekend - doing some of that confidence coaching I do - and discovered that two of them were serious last winter when they said they were going into business. They now have some really cool safety stirrups and are the distributors for them in the UK.

They break away, so if you fall your foot does not get stuck (perfect for me in my treeless) and after breaking away, simply click back into place.

Plus, and here is my favourite part - they actually unclip and fold down to give an extra stirrups worth of length for remounting.

Jane herself rides in the really nice metal English version. I am saving up for a pair of those myself!!

Cathy Sirett, Oxfordshire

AND

Yes, I have been using a pair of these since January with a Barefoot Nevada - great idea and they look FAB too!!

Marie Weinman, Derbyshire

Meganne Palmer, Derbyshire

Hi, my name is Meganne Palmer and I would recommend Escape Breakaway stirrups to anyone who is starting riding or if you have just got a new pony/horse.

                      

When I use the stirrups it gives me that confidence I need, plus they are very comfortable and I like how they come in different colours.

I don't just use them when I am on a new horse though. I use them when I go out for rides and when I am just in the school. My mum uses them for when she teaches little children as it is easy for them to learn how to get on as the stirrups drop down.

My mum, Penelope Stocks is an Equine Therapist and her link is http://www.equines-mot.co.uk. She also recommends them.

Maeve Jepson, Derbyshire, May 2009

I just wanted to say how great it is to know that I can get back on my horse when out hacking - she is big and I am small and I always had to look for a wall to stand on before! Now I just use the step ladder on the stirrups to get back on. It is so much easier than messing about wth altering stirrup leathers. For me now getting back on my horse is no longer a problem.

 

Gail Johnson, 17 October 2010

My socks are fab, both big and little ones.  I can’t believe how comfy they are and that they keep your feet lovely and cool even with your riding boots on. FAB!

Gail Johnson is from Horse Bit Hire www.horsebithire.com