Dressage, a highly skilled equestrian sport is often referred to as ‘Horse Ballet.’ Horse and rider form a balanced team that demonstrates strength and accuracy in performing a series of movements. When you see competitive dressage, it appears that the horse and rider can read each other’s minds when they perform extraordinary movements and pace, such as the pirouette, schaukel , flying changes and piaffe. These impressive movements can be performed in arenas with small or standard dressage arena dimensions.
Small and Standard Dressage Arena Dimensions
Small dressage arenas, often used for amateur or low-level dressage competitions, are 20-meters wide by 40-meters long (66 feet by 131 feet). All the basic dressage movements and gaits can be practiced in a small dressage arena but advance figures and jumps require a standard dressage arena of 20 meters by 60 meters (66 feet by 197 feet). The standard dressage arena dimensions allow for competing in dressage, as well as eventing, such as, show jumping, cavalry testing and cross-country.
Caption: GGT footing for small and standard dressage arenas guarantees the proper stabilization and cushioning needed for the high impact and elaborate footwork of dressage testing.
GGT Footing Blends for Indoor and Outdoor Dressage Arenas
Surface selection is of utmost importance in both small and standard dressage arenas. Dressage requires the horse and rider to perform spectacular movements with the horse seeming to float effortlessly around the arena. Although these extended gaits and lateral movements appear effortless, they require strength, stamina, traction and reliable footing. Dressage arenas need quality footing to ensure the safety and sure footing that horse and rider require for optimum performance.
GGT footing for small and standard dressage arenas guarantees the proper stabilization and cushioning needed for the high impact and elaborate footwork of dressage testing. This sand and fiber blended footing absorbs the weight of the horse and adds to the stability of the ride. GGT footing also retains moisture and resists compacting for competition dress arenas that need a quality surface for all the competitors.
Contact us, the footing experts at East-West Arena Construction for information on the best surface footing for your arena. Our footings are meticulously selected for each arena and designed with a blend of sand and fibers for achieving your dressage arena goals.