Well okay, the seven-time
Bolivian National Champ Daniel Bedoya Sr. probably used a pair of stirrups, or estribos, that were a bit more modern when he was jumping to all those
victories, but we doubt they had nearly as much character as these handsome
wooden ones, modeled after those used in Colonial times. Originally from
Potosí, we purchased them from Cecibel Martinez, at her shop on Calle Sagarnaga.
More
Described by some historians as “one of the most significant inventions of warfare, prior to gunpowder,” stirrups give a rider stability and were second only to the saddle in the supremacy of horse warfare, especially...
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Described by some historians as “one of the most significant inventions of warfare, prior to gunpowder,” stirrups give a rider stability and were second only to the saddle in the supremacy of horse warfare, especially in medieval times. Some daring scholars even cite them as the key in the development of feudalism, though this is a highly contentious topic and has even led to something called “The Great Stirrup Controversy” (we can only imagine how heated those Medieval Weaponry conferences get).
In any case, wooden hooded stirrups like these were very popular with conquistadors, who usually had them carved with fancy designs. Made by taking a plain metal stirrup and building a wooden hollow around it, the model allowed a rider’s boot to slip easily in and out, reducing the chance of getting caught should your horse take a tumble. Prized by collectors of horse memorabilia today—especially when they come in matching pairs—we’ve also heard of people using them as napkin holders.
Details and Dimensions
From left to right:
A: 7.5" L, 6" W, 6.5" H
B (these are a pair, sold separately): 9" L, 6" W, 7.5" H
