Extendable stirrup

A stirrup, comprising:

• a first stirrup member;
• a second stirrup member slidably connected to the first stirrup member between a first position and a second position on the first stirrup member;
• a retraction mechanism biased to move the second stirrup member from the first position to the second position;
• first and second protrusions on the second stirrup member slidably received in first and second slots in the first stirrup member;
• a lock disposed on the first and second stirrup members engaging in the first position to lock the second stirrup member in the first position;
• and
• a release to disengage the lock.

A method for facilitating mounting of a riding horse, comprising:

• extending a first portion of a stirrup with respect to a second portion of the stirrup;
• locking the first portion in an extended position with respect to the second portion;
• placing the rider's foot on the extended first portion;
• placing the rider's weight on the extended first portion to release the first portion from the second portion;
• and
• removing the rider's weight from the first portion to retract the extended first portion to a retracted position adjacent the first portion.

A method of mounting a riding horse, comprising:

• locking a lower foot plate of an extendible stirrup in an extended position;
• mounting the riding horse by using the lower foot plate of the extendible stirrup as a step;
• and
• unlocking the lower foot plate of the extendible stirrup in response to exerting downward pressure on the lower foot plate.

An extendable stirrup, comprising:

• an upper stirrup having upper sides and an upper foot plate connecting said upper sides;
• a lower stirrup having lower sides and a lower foot plate connecting said lower sides, said lower stirrup slidably engaged to said upper stirrup between a retracted position and an extended position;
• fasteners disposed on said lower sides protruding into longitudinal slots in said upper sides whereby said fasteners slide with said slots;
• a lock disposed on said upper and lower stirrups, said lock comprising a hook pivotably disposed on said upper sides, said hook capable of moving from a locked position to an unlocked position;
• a release mechanism coupled to said hook and disposed on said upper stirrup;
• said hook pivoting to said locked position upon contact with said fasteners as said lower stirrup moves from said retracted position to said extended position;
• and
• said locked position holding said lower stirrup in said extended position.

An extendable stirrup, comprising:

• a first member having a first cross member and first sides extending from said first cross member, said first sides being substantially parallel to one another;
• a second member having a second cross member, second sides extending from said second cross member, and a first groove, said second sides substantially parallel to one another and slidably mounted on said first sides between an extended position and a retracted position;
• a lock disposed on said first and second members and engaging in said extended position locking said second member in said extended position, said lock comprising:
• bearings disposed within said first cross member and about the outer surface of said second member;
• an actuator having a second groove and being disposed within said second member, said bearings resting in said second groove when said lower stirrup is in said retracted position;
• a bushing disposed within said second cross member, said bushings having a second hole housing said bearings;
• a flat spring disposed between said actuator and said bushing, said spring applying pressure to said bearings via said actuator when said lower stirrup is in said extended position;
• said bearings contemporaneously moving from said second grooves into said first grooves when said second member is moved to said extended position, said bearings thereby preventing said second member from returning to the retracted position;
• and a release disengaging said lock.