Abstract: A locking headplate for an adjustable saddle tree includes opposed, hingedly connected plates for securing to a saddle tree head portion and a rotatable displacing element for displacing the hingedly connected plates inwardly or outwardly, wherein the rotatable displacing element assists in retaining the hingedly connected plates in a set spaced-apart configuration when not being rotated. The locking headplate further includes at least one supplemental locking mechanism for selectively preventing rotation of the rotatable displacing element. The locking headplate further includes a supplemental motion restrictor for restricting outward motion of the opposed hingedly connected plates to a desired range of motion. Saddle trees and saddles incorporating the locking headplate are provided.

Abstract: A locking headplate for an adjustable saddle tree includes opposed, hingedly connected plates for securing to a saddle tree head portion and a rotatable displacing element for displacing the hingedly connected plates inwardly or outwardly, wherein the rotatable displacing element assists in retaining the hingedly connected plates in a set spaced-apart configuration when not being rotated. The locking headplate further includes at least one supplemental locking mechanism for selectively preventing rotation of the rotatable displacing element. The hingedly connected plates include apertures for receiving a portion of the rotatable displacing element therethrough, the apertures defining at least one cross-sectional dimension that is greater than a corresponding cross-sectional dimension of the rotatable displacing element. Saddle trees and saddles incorporating the locking headplate are provided.

Abstract: A locking headplate for an adjustable saddle tree includes opposed, hingedly connected plates for securing to a saddle tree head portion, a rotatable displacing element for displacing the hingedly connected plates inwardly or outwardly, and at least one supplemental locking mechanism for selectively preventing rotation of the rotatable displacing element. The hingedly connected plates include apertures for receiving a portion of the rotatable displacing element therethrough, the apertures defining at least one cross-sectional dimension that is greater than a corresponding cross-sectional dimension of the rotatable displacing element. Saddle trees and saddles incorporating the locking headplate are provided.

Abstract: A locking headplate for an adjustable saddle tree includes opposed, hingedly connected plates for securing to a saddle tree head portion, a rotatable displacing element for displacing the hingedly connected plates inwardly or outwardly, and at least one supplemental locking mechanism for selectively preventing rotation of the rotatable displacing element. The hingedly connected plates include apertures for receiving a portion of the rotatable displacing element therethrough, the apertures defining at least one cross-sectional dimension that is greater than a corresponding cross-sectional dimension of the rotatable displacing element. Saddle trees and saddles incorporating the locking headplate are provided.

Abstract: A stirrup pad for equitation includes a top member defining a surface for contacting at least a portion of a sole of a rider's foot or footwear and at least one side edge, and a rear member defining a surface for contacting at least a portion of a heel of the rider's foot or footwear. The rear member extends downwardly from the top member side edge. The top member is oriented along a first plane, and the rear member is oriented along a second plane which is substantially perpendicular to the first plane. A front member may be included, extending downwardly from the top member side edge. At least the front member and the rear member include flange elements for removably attaching the stirrup pad to a stirrup.

Abstract: A locking headplate for an adjustable saddle tree includes opposed, hingedly connected elements for securing to a saddle tree head portion, a rotatable displacing element for displacing the hingedly connected plates inwardly or outwardly, and an engaging element for selectively preventing rotation of the rotatable displacing element. The engaging element includes at least one insert and a threaded fastener for compressing the insert against the rotatable displacing element to selectively prevent rotation thereof. A portion of the rotatable displacing element may be made of a material having a first hardness, and the insert may be made of a material having a second hardness which is less than the first hardness whereby a portion of the rotatable displacing element impinges into the material of the insert. Saddle trees and saddles incorporating the locking headplate are provided.

Abstract: A stirrup pad for equitation includes a top member defining a surface for contacting at least a portion of a sole of a rider's foot or footwear and at least one side edge, and a rear member defining a surface for contacting at least a portion of a heel of the rider's foot or footwear. The rear member extends downwardly from the top member side edge. The top member is oriented along a first plane, and the rear member is oriented along a second plane which is substantially perpendicular to the first plane. A front member may be included, extending downwardly from the top member side edge. At least the front member and the rear member include flange elements for removably attaching the stirrup pad to a stirrup.

Abstract: A locking headplate for an adjustable saddle tree includes opposed, hingedly connected elements for securing to a saddle tree head portion, a rotatable displacing element for displacing the hingedly connected plates inwardly or outwardly, and an engaging element for selectively preventing rotation of the rotatable displacing element. The engaging element includes at least one insert and a threaded fastener for compressing the insert against the rotatable displacing element to selectively prevent rotation thereof. A portion of the rotatable displacing element may be made of a material having a first hardness, and the insert may be made of a material having a second hardness which is less than the first hardness whereby a portion of the rotatable displacing element impinges into the material of the insert. Saddle trees and saddles incorporating the locking headplate are provided.

Abstract: A spur for equitation includes a substantially arcuate body and an end piece for contacting a portion of a body of an animal being ridden, the end piece being removably attached to the spur. The end piece may include a first and a second portion and a cooperating connector for removably connecting the two portions with a portion of the spur captured therebetween, whereby the cooperating connector defines an axis about which the end piece is rotatable. The end piece may be removably attached to a shank extending from the body. The shank may include a flattened portion defining a plane which is substantially coplanar with a plane defined by the spur body. The rotatable end piece first and second portions attach to the shank whereby the axis defined by the cooperating connector is substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the spur body and shank flattened portion.

Abstract: A flexible stirrup includes a base, a top, at least one flexible section connecting the base and the top, and a stabilizing hollow sheath enclosing at least a portion of the at least one flexible section. The flexible section includes at least one connector having a stem with a coupler at a first end and at a second opposed end thereof. The stem and first and second couplers may include at least one cross-sectional dimension that is substantially equal. At least a portion of an external surface of the at least one connector is in stabilizing contact with at least a portion of an internal surface of the hollow sheath.

Abstract: A spur for equitation includes a substantially arcuate body and an end piece for contacting a portion of a body of an animal being ridden, the end piece being removably attached to the spur. The end piece may include a first and a second portion and a cooperating connector for removably connecting the two portions with a portion of the spur captured therebetween, whereby the cooperating connector defines an axis about which the end piece is rotatable. The end piece may be removably attached to a shank extending from the body. The shank may include a flattened portion defining a plane which is substantially coplanar with a plane defined by the spur body. The rotatable end piece first and second portions attach to the shank whereby the axis defined by the cooperating connector is substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the spur body and shank flattened portion.

Abstract: A flexible stirrup includes a base, a top, at least one flexible section connecting the base and the top, and a stabilizing hollow sheath enclosing at least a portion of the at least one flexible section. The flexible section includes at least one connector having a stem with a coupler at a first end and at a second opposed end thereof. The stem and first and second couplers may include at least one cross-sectional dimension that is substantially equal. At least a portion of an external surface of the at least one connector is in stabilizing contact with at least a portion of an internal surface of the hollow sheath.

Abstract: A knit fabric is made of a combination of a corespun yarn having a core of a resilient continuous filament yarn covered by a cotton fiber and a cotton yarn. These yarns are knit together in such a manner that one side of the knit fabric exposes only one of the yarns while the other side of the knit fabric exposes the knit combination of both yarns. The knit fabric is easily and comfortably manipulated while possessing improved mechanical properties such as strength, durability, and stretch and recovery.

Abstract: A knit fabric is made of a combination of a corespun yarn having a core of a resilient continuous filament yarn covered by a cotton fiber and a cotton yarn. These yarns are knit together in such a manner that one side of the knit fabric exposes only one of the yarns while the other side of the knit fabric exposes the knit combination of both yarns. The knit fabric is easily and comfortably manipulated while posessessing improved mechanical properties such as strength, durability, and stretch and recovery.