It was five years ago that Don first started building stirrups for friends and family.  Since that time our stirrups have changed and developed into what they are known for today, a high quality stirrup of distinctive style and comfort.  

Over the past five years the look of our stirrups has evolved and changed as we have worked closely with our customers and retailers, listening to their feedback and suggestions along the way.

Don's first stirrups were a basic Flat Bottom Wooden Stirrup, as shown here on a picture of Sally Scott's Stirrups.  Several changes have taken place since these first wooden stirrups, like the "D. Orrell" Logo at the top and the edges of the stirrup were not rounded over as they are now.  Also the profile shape is slightly different from the stirrups today.  In the beginning, we worked only with Quarter Sawn White Oak, Walnut, and Red Cedar.  The rollar flaps were held together with leather lace string.  Also, our engraving was outsourced in the early stages of our business.

Changes over the next couple of years included a slight change in our logo from D. Orrell to Don Orrell to help make us easier to find on the Web.  We kept the four leaf clover in the logo as as wish of good luck and a great ride to all!  Engraving was moved in house and we now have the ability to customize any stirrup. 

The leather treads are richly stained and skived, although it takes extra time, the finished look is well worth the extra effort.  We also softened the edges of our stirrups for a more comfortable ride and added rivets to the rollar flap for a cleaner look.  We've perfected our finishing process, which involves two coats of a durable finish, sanded in between the coats for a "smooth as glass" finish.

As time went by, we began receiving customer and retailer requests for different wooden stirrup styles.  Steve Hansell, our friend and customer from Texas, suggested the Offset Stirrup and it is now one of our most popular stirrup types.   Also added by request of our retailers were the Tapered Stirrups, the Rubber Tread options, The Tall Roper, and the Rancher Stirrups.  

In 2009, Don began experimenting with different wood types, such as figured Sweet Gum and Curly Red Cedar.
These new woods began taking off, reaffirming our idea that customers like having a high quality, American made stirrup that is unique to them.  No two pair of Don Orrell Stirrups are alike, each one has it's own individuality.  We enjoy discovering new wood types that are beautiful without the help of stains or dyes.  This has lead to us using imported exotic woods such as Leopard Wood, Bubinga Wood, and Zebra Wood.  

Now as we look back at the past five years, it's with gratitude we say "Thank You" for all the encouragement and support we have received along the way!  We feel very fortunate that we are able to offer a desireable product that promotes the western heritage and values that we all love. 

We would like to thank all our customers that faithfully use us for their stirrup needs.  Also, a big thank you to our retailers that offer our stirrups in their stores and on the road at their shows, allowing our customers the chance to hand select their favorite pair.  And last but not least, the Associations that, even from the very beginning, have let us help them reward their top performers.  We humbly recognize that we could not do this without your support and we look forward to what the future holds for Don Orrell Stirrups!