Constructing the right sized arena, whether it's indoors or outdoors is one of the first questions most people ask. Like most things in the equestrian world, there is no singular right answer. The size area that works best for you isn't necessarily the size arena that works for everyone. Arena construction should be highly customized to the needs of the customer.
Important questions to consider:
- Which disciplines need to be accommodated? (dressage, jumping, lessons, etc.)
- How Many Horses will be using the arena?
- If it's an outdoor arena, what are your property limits? Proper space for drainage should be considered.
- Will you be hosting shows or competitions? If so, what are their requirements?
- What is your budget? The bigger the arena, the more expensive it will be.
- What seasons will your arena be used in?
While there are many more things to think about, hopefully those questions can help you get started. If you're just looking for some ballpark dimensions, 65ft x 100ft is about as small as you'd want to go and 200ft x 300ft is as large. Most show arena's have a 100ft x 150ft surface. It's tempting to focus on aesthetics when thinking about arena design, but there are many functional aspects that are more important. Make sure you consider things like size, drainage, footing, heat and budget before you start thinking about colors and presentation. After all, what good is a beautifully put together arena with a puddles of water everywhere?
