Variable angle riding stirrup

A variable angle stirrup support, comprising:

• a stirrup support bracket comprising a transverse support surface and parallel and transverse vertical walls extending perpendicularly from the transverse support surface for engaging and supporting a stirrup from a lower end loop of a stirrup leather, wherein the walls comprise corresponding apertures;
• a stirrup hanger rod support sleeve positioned above the transverse support surface of the stirrup support bracket and the lower end loop of the stirrup leather for attaching the variable angle stirrup support to said stirrup;
• and
• a stirrup hanger support member connecting the hanger rod support sleeve to the stirrup support bracket and comprising a longitudinally extending pivot pin secured to the support bracket and positioned between the hanger rod support sleeve and the support surface of the stirrup support bracket to allow the stirrup support bracket to pivot about said longitudinal axis between predetermined limited angles of the stirrup support bracket to align the tread of said stirrup with a rider's leg and foot,
• wherein the stirrup hanger support member comprises a transversely extending hollow upper pivot support sleeve for rotatably receiving the stirrup hanger rod support sleeve and a longitudinally extending hollow lower pivot support sleeve positioned about the pivot pin to allow said stirrup support bracket to pivot about a longitudinal axis.

A method of maintaining a stirrup in alignment with a rider's leg and foot with a stirrup leveling mechanism and supporting a stirrup in a stirrup leather so the stirrup leveling mechanism is hidden by the stirrup leather and does not change the aesthetics of a stirrup, comprising the steps of:

• engaging a stirrup support bracket having a transverse support surface in a lower end loop of a stirrup leather;
• positioning a stirrup hanger rod support sleeve above the transverse support surface of the stirrup support bracket and the lower end loop of the stirrup leather to support a stirrup;
• supporting a stirrup hanger support member with the stirrup hanger rod support sleeve, where the stirrup hanger support member connects the stirrup hanger rod support sleeve to the stirrup support bracket;
• and
• pivoting the stirrup support bracket about a longitudinally extending pivot pin positioned below the stirrup hanger rod support sleeve and above the lower end loop of the stirrup leather to allow the stirrup to pivot about a longitudinal axis between predetermined limited angles of the stirrup support bracket to align the tread of said stirrup with a rider's leg and foot.

A method of maintaining a stirrup in alignment with a rider's leg and foot with a stirrup leveling mechanism and supporting a stirrup in a stirrup leather so the stirrup leveling mechanism is hidden by the stirrup leather and does not change the aesthetics of a stirrup, comprising the steps of:

• engaging a stirrup support bracket comprising a transverse support surface and parallel vertical sides positioned in a lower end loop of a stirrup leather;
• engaging the bottom and sides of the lower end loop of a stirrup leather with the transverse support surface and parallel vertical walls of said stirrup support bracket;
• positioning a stirrup hanger rod support sleeve in a transverse hollow sleeve of a stirrup hanger support member above the lower support surface of the stirrup support bracket and the lower end loop of the stirrup leather to rotatably support a stirrup;
• pivot the stirrup support bracket about a longitudinally extending pivot pin positioned in a longitudinally extending sleeve of the stirrup hanger member above the lower end loop of the stirrup leather to allow the stirrup to pivot about a longitudinal axis between predetermined limited angles of the stirrup support bracket to align a tread of said stirrup with a rider's leg and foot.