Riding Arena

Jerry Hill

I have been asked by a customer to build her a riding arena. It will be 100x100. I have found some information in the internet which is helpful.

The area is low soi I thought I would start by building a shallow ditch around the outside and moving the material into the center for drainage. the adding 6 or so inches of sand on top.

I was wondering if any of you have built one and if you have any tips or advice.

tgeb

Hi Jerry, Welcome to the site.

I have never built an arena from "scratch" but have been around a few that were under construction. Have added footing to, and regraded a couple. And my kid rides in pony shows so I have personally seen many.

You are correct about cutting a drainage swale around the perimeter, nothing worse than a wet riding ring. What you may have to do though is dispose of any wet or non-compactable soils and import some that will create a good solid base.
Not unlike any other building pad or roadway that we might construct if you have a soft base you will end up with problems.

Other than that, nearly every riding ring I have seen and all that I have personally worked on had at least 6" of compacted crushed run as a base then capped off with 4" or so of sand.

Some rings have a specialised footing material but most are just sand.

Here is a link to an article that describes riding ring construction that you will certainly find helpful.

http://pubs.cas.psu.edu/freepubs/pdfs/ub038.pdf

Post back with any specific questions that you might have and I'll see if I can help you out. I have a friend that has built a few rings and I can always call him and pick his brain.

__________________
Tom

www.gebcon.com