East-West Arena Construction Blog

With its roots in the northeast and Mount Holyoke College, the Intercollegiate Dressage Association (IDA) began as an informal, student-run equestrian competition between riders from regional high schools and colleges. Since 2003, IDA competitions are only open to colleges with members from across the United States and Canada. Although the organization has grown, it retains both the spirit and many of the rules and procedures from its casual beginnings. At its heart, the IDA is about the love of the sport and bringing schools together for showmanship, camaraderie, and training through competition.

Dust can be a big problem in equestrian arenas. Not only is it unpleasant, but it can be very unhealthy for rider and horse alike to constantly be breathing in dust. Several studies have reported that equestrian workers exposed to dust are more likely to develop chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma and other conditions. Horses exposed to chronically dusty conditions can develop allergies, chronic coughs, reduced performance, and of course heaves.

One of the most important elements in the development of horses during training is arena footing. The arena footing often determines performance. And no matter where we live, we have all seen the effects of a rain storm on an arena. This is why it is important to prevent drainage problems in equestrian arena in order to maintain the safety and health of all your horses. Poor drainage systems can lead to slippery, sloppy, and loose footing. The following are some things to consider to help your drainage issues.

Equestrian footing companies design the most important part of equestrian facilities- the surfaces the horses work on. Some equestrian footing companies simply advise local contractors on how to build the base and footing, but others have their own builders on staff that perform the construction as well as doing the designing. 

When designing an custom arena for training and for shows, proper dressage arena size is of key importance. Dressage arenas, like the arenas built for other professional sports, must conform to specific size requirements. An incorrectly designed or configured arena will make it impossible for your arena to be used for these events. Even if you are not planning to use your arena for dressage events, it pays to be informed as dressage arena size could impact any current design plans you may have.

The Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) was founded in 1967 from a design by Robert E. Cacchione, a sophomore student at Fairleigh-Dickinson College in New Jersey. The association was founded on the principle that any college student should be able to participate in horse shows regardless of economic means. The emphasis continues to be on learning, sportsmanship and teamwork. IHSA competitions have eliminated the expense of shipping horses and even owning horses to enable all students to participate.

According to the United States Dressage Federation, "Dressage is a French term meaning “training” and its purpose is to develop the horse’s natural athletic ability and willingness to work, making him calm, supple and attentive to his rider."

Sand is a very generic term. It means a mineral substance that has particles smaller than gravel but larger than silt or clay. Sand is defined by the size of the particles, the shape of the particles, and the minerals used to make up the particles. As footing, sand is also defined by how deep the sand is. 

When building a custom equestrian arena, there are several things you must bear in mind: the design for your arena, construction of the arena, and finally maintenance. Custom arena construction is a specialized project, requiring expert knowledge.

Designing a Custom Arena

As a long and costly project, arena construction is not something to be embarked on lightly.

What type of arena will this be? Dressage arenas allow for highly-competitive sporting events – and require special materials in order to ensure proper footing for the horses. Similarly, jumper arenas require a different layout and footing materials.

Where will the arena be? There may be drainage and other considerations particular to this property.

A professional team can help you to balance these considerations, while being realistic about your budget.