Q: CAN I BUILD AN ARENA ON A HILL?
A: “YES, you can build an arena on a hill,” says Thomas Harper of Equestrian Surfaces Ltd. “The steepness of the hill does not matter, as the process to build the arena is the same in all cases. Approximately 95% of arena builds done by Equestrian Surfaces Ltd are on a slope of varying degrees. There are three main considerations for choosing to build on a hill; how it will be levelled, drainage, and fencing.
“Firstly, you must decide how to make the site level; either by cutting into the hill on one side and using that soil to raise the other side, or levelling to the lowest part of the land which will move more soil and take more time and money. Draining on the uphill side of the arena should be installed to divert hillside water around the perimeter of the arena so that the arena drainage is not overloaded.
“Finally, to put fencing on the side of the arena that had been filled, it is integral to ensure it is really well compacted and that there is a metre or two of banking with stone beyond the fence before it starts to decline, so that there is enough support to keep the fence upright, even as the soil settles.”
Q: I HAVE AN EXISTING ARENA IN POOR CONDITION, CAN I REFURBISH IT OR SHOULD I START AGAIN?
A: “OLD arenas can certainly be refurbished, but it depends on a few things,” says James Riley, director of Equestrian Direct Ltd. “Firstly, assess what you have, so I’d start by checking the depth of the surface around the arena to see how level it is. As a rule of thumb, you should have around 125mm to 150mm of surface consistently around the arena.
Denne historien er fra October 07, 2021-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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Denne historien er fra October 07, 2021-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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'Sorry, but I wasn't feeling it'
Fresh from the opening meet, Tessa Waugh hasn't quite yet been bitten by the hunting bug. Without the crisp autumnal air and cheek-pinching cold she hoped for, it's a sluggish start
New pair pull off a win
A former European Championships pony is on form with his new rider, while elsewhere former showjumpers and eventers take ribbons
Lording it over the rest
Horses who have returned from injury, a second generation homebred and a long format specialist score on the final weekend of the British season
Smith hits flying form
A \"her way or no way\" mare helps Zoe Smith to an impressive ribbon haul and a rider beats his own boss to the top spot
Jankorado hits the jackpot
Paul Sims is triumphant despite his interrupted jump-off preparation and a borrowed horse comes up trumps
Peanut
From \"dangerous, scary\" to hedge-hopping brilliance, hunting has been the making of this unstable but very lovable equine character
She's a corker
Communication, says long-standing and highly respected Belvoir master Lady Sarah McCorquodale, is the key to all, as Catherine Austen discovers
Access all areas Cavalier Centre
The Cavalier Centre is a fully accessible, state-of-the-art equestrian centre designed to improve lives through horse-based activities. Ellie May Forrester pays a visit
'Use it or lose it'
Not everyone wants to reach for the pipe and slippers at a certain age. Becky Murray speaks to some veteran horse-and-rider combos for their secrets of human and equine longevity
A new way forward
Worm control in horses is vital, but established methods will not remain effective for much longer. Tim Mair FRCVS explains why and how we need to change
