Riding Arena Construction Recommendations

Recommendations For The Construction Of A Riding Arena For Alicia Bettridge At Orchid House, Higher Foxdale, Isle Of Man

Abstract

The author of this report has been associated with the construction of domestic animal surfaces since 1963 and with the construction and surfacing of riding arenas for more than 23 years. He formed the construction company known as Parkway Riding Arenas in 1979 and developed the surfacing material 'Pasada'. He sold the highly successful business in 1985 (it is still one of the foremost in its field) and since 1986 has been the National Adviser to the British Horse Society as their independent expert in all matters pertaining to the construction and surfacing of allweather and indoor riding arenas and gallops. He lectures on the subject and is the author of a booklet entitled 'Notes on the Construction of All-weather Riding Arenas' published by the British Horse Society. In the year 2002 he was consulted by the equestrian world on more than 200 occasions for advice.

I visited the site of the proposed arena on 6th November 2003 and was given the requirements for the riding arena by the owners, Alicia Bettridge and her husband.

Size and purpose of the arena

The arena will measure 45 m by . It is to be for private use, for general riding purposes, exercising and all normal equestrian activities.

The Site

The arena is to be sited in a field on the opposite side of the farm drive to the house and stables. It is a sloping site, which at present is a grassed field.

Recommendations For Construction

The arena is to be sited between three hedges, which will mark three sides of the arena. In order to fit the 45 m length between the hedges, the arena must be sited very close to the hedges. However, thought should be given to the feasibility of keeping the hedges trimmed and whether or not this can be done from inside the arena, or whether it will be necessary to keep an access along the line of the hedges, for this purpose.

Having marked it out, taking into account the extra areas required for the banks and the cutoff drains, the site should be levelled by the 'cut and fill' method. The gradient is estimated at approximately two metres on the width of the arena so the banks will be at least one metre high. A slope of not more than can be allowed in the finished levels on the 25 m width, in order to reduce slightly the amount of excavation. It is essential that the 'fill' is compacted to the fullest extent. The site should be left smooth and flat without scuffed-up tyre or track marks.

A cut-off drain should then be inserted at the base of the 'cut' leading down both sides of the arena to outfalls into the field.

Fence posts should then be inserted at intervals and gate posts at the entrance to the arena. The fence posts can be inserted either upright or at an angle outwards of to the vertical in order to facilitate the easy movement of riders on the outer track of the arena. The