East-West Arena Construction Blog

Riding in a Grand Prix ring can be a thrilling experience, especially for amateur or junior riders. However, as the title of this post suggests, not all Grand Prix rings are created equal. Arena size, footing, shape, grandstand layout, and the associated warm-up ring are all contributing factors, which make some Grand Prix rings amazing, while others leave much to be desired. If you are a barn manager or a horse show director, then be sure to take the following design characteristics into account before you lay the foundation for a new Grand Prix arena.

Is a dried-out, hard riding arena causing you a case of the winter riding blues? With ground freezing temperatures blanketing the Northwest, Northeast, and Midwest regions watering the ring can be a tricky process. Under-watered rings can result in dried-out, tightly compacted, and hard footing. Lucky for you, we have a few winter watering tips for maintaining the perfect ground conditions for your GGT footing.

Horse shows are the heart and soul of the equestrian world. They offer a chance for riders and horses to test their skills, practice against like-minded competitors, see old friends (and make new acquaintances), and travel to some of the most prestigious horse venues in the country. From backyard one-days to the elite international competitions, successful horse show venues have one thing in common: a great schooling ring.

An arena's footing is critical, whether used for shows, training or recreation. Determining the best footing for an arena is not always an easy task. Here are five things to consider when planning arena footing:

Many stables offer riding lessons to the public as well as through collegiate participation in the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA). Students entering such riding programs vary greatly in their knowledge, skills and abilities. Some may be recruited because they are already promising riders, while others may be new to horseback riding.  

Horseshoes aren't a new invention. The earliest known "shoes" were sandals fashioned by Roman soldiers that strapped on the hooves of their horses, giving the animals better traction along Rome's cobblestone roads. Hot shoeing became popular by the Middle Ages, and by the early 20th century, it was unthinkable to let your horse go without shoes. The obligatory trim and new shoes every six to eight weeks went without saying; if you owned a horse, you were on first name terms with his farrier.

Indoor arenas offer a covered riding area during the worst weather, but they can also become dusty health hazards. Dust, created by airborne particles of sand, pulverized wood chips and dried manure can make both humans and horses cough and wheeze by the time their training session is over. Dust isn't just an annoyance; it's a health hazard.

To blanket or not to blanket...that is the question many horse owners ask themselves as the days grow colder. 

Horses in the wild have many natural abilities to help them keep warm during harsh winter weather. Wild horses grow thick coats for warmth, and instinctively seek shelter from wind, snow, ice and cold rain.  If given plenty of hay, fresh water, and allowed to grow their own natural winter coat, many horses can spend the winter outdoors without a fancy turnout rug or blanket.

Choosing sand for your riding arena footing is an important step that goes beyond aesthetics. Riding arena footing must provide the proper stability, support and cushioning for the equine athletes traversing it daily, while at the same time, providing adequate drainage to prevent the arena from turning into a muddy swamp. Sand, a time-tested footing, offers both traction and drainage for a riding arena. When mixed with fiber-based footing materials such as GGT, it offers the best combination for durable, effective footing.

Dragging a horse arena is imperative to ensuring that your horses remain sound. The proper techniques for dragging a ring will depend on a few factors: type of footing, arena size, watering conditions, and type of work completed in the arena (i.e. jumping, flatwork, or a combination). As important as the latter factors are, the first step in properly dragging a ring is to establish the correct pattern. Once you have mastered the below patterns, you will be well on your way to having a perfectly groomed riding arena.