Lauren's list revisited

Five years ago, my friend, Lauren Mauldin, challenged myself and other model horse tack makers to create a group of small but very specific tack items. I banged out the nameplate shipping halter right away, and several artists have long since conquered the Ogilvy style half pads. The other items on her list were perhaps a bit too niche to be of interest. I've yet to see anyone make monogrammed standing wraps or a scrim sheet. There have been rumors of composite stirrup irons, but I had not seen them myself... At least not until I stumbled upon Handcrafted by Kari's Etsy shop.

In addition to a wide selection of 3D printed stable props, this shop offers 3D printed English and Western stirrups. I was intrigued. After all these years, I'd finally found a source for Lauren's 1:9 scale composite stirrups!

photo by SmartPak Equine

I ordered a black pair because that really is the most common and conservative choice for real life equestrian competition.

It is not, however, the only choice.

Jumper riders like fun colors.

I do, too, so I added a pair of pink stirrups to my order.

The stirrups were waiting for me when I returned home from California.

They look fine as is, and with a little lot of prepping, they look even better. I would not hesitate to use these on my saddles.

That's one more check off Lauren's list. Three down, two to go!