F E AT U R E
T
here’s not much better than a fabulously appointed arena with
Setting up for fantastic footwork
a surface that encourages your
horse to spring sweetly forward. And it’s that all-important surface that needs serious thought if you want to avoid your vision of arena perfection turning into a rocky mess or perhaps worse, a soggy soup. But first things first, before you get carried away with potential surfaces, your base needs to be on-point. No
A beautiful and functional arena to ride and train in doesn’t have to be a fantasy. CHRISTINE ARMISHAW investigates what’s involved in creating the arena of your dreams.
matter what your choice of surface, if you pile it on an inadequately prepared base, grief will ensue. The base must be level, free-draining and properly prepared with longevity in mind. Considerations include the land you are transforming, climatic conditions – how dry or wet it is in your area – and whether the arena is to be indoors or outdoors. Having professionals help you to prepare the foundation and select the ideal drainage solution for your specific needs is well worth it in the long run. Tim Hessel, of Equestrian Services Australia, highlights the importance of adequate drainage. “With outdoor arenas, ensuring the arena is not just able to drain, but drain quickly is a high priority,” says Tim.
With outdoor arenas, ensuring the arena is not just able to drain, but drain quickly is a high priority. The perfect base can be constructed by digging the arena down into the ground, Your arena should sit on a level, free-draining base prepared with longevity in mind (Image courtesy Equestrian Services).
creating banks that act as buffers along some or all of the sides. Or you may instead wish to build from the ground up and install panels and edging to keep that precious surface material
