Horse Arena Design, Construction, Resurfacing and Maintenance Services

Site Assessment

The location of the arena on your property is an important decision. To aid drainage, it is preferable to avoid situating the arena on low lying areas of a property however, given the expansive size of the arena, and the fact it should also aesthetically complement the rest of the property, this is not always possible. Providing the right base layer materials, compaction and drainage methods are used, it is still possible to create a high-quality arena, even on low lying and flood prone properties. Another factor that will impact placement of the arena is the amount of cutting, filling and retaining that is required. Naturally, the flatter the proposed location, the less earthworks that are required to prepare the arena surface. With extensive earthworks and retaining experience however, Champion Horse Arenas are still able to deliver comparatively cost-effective results, even on sloping blocks. In designing and quoting your new arena, we will conduct a thorough site assessment to carefully assess the land contour, drainage and soil type at your property and talk you through what will be involved to deliver a quality arena in your preferred location.

Arena Design

After having decided on the location for your new arena, Champion Horse Arenas will make recommendations on the proposed design, size and construction. Most residential arenas are either 20m x 40m or 20m x 60m with arenas at commercial riding and dressage schools spanning up to 70m x 80m or larger. The proposed design of your arena will encompass its size, required earthworks, recommended base and topping materials, drainage, retaining, fencing and irrigation if required. Even for small arenas, creating a high quality, densely compacted sub-base and base layer is essential to delivering a long-lasting and consistent riding surface. With over 12 years experience across all facets of earthworks, landscaping, drainage and arena construction, Champion Horse Arenas will provide expert advice on the right materials to deliver outstanding results for your individual property.

Quote

Once we’ve agreed on the proposed design for your new arena, Champion Horse Arenas will provide you with a fully itemised quote. This includes details of the proposed sub base and riding surface, drainage systems, fencing materials, earthworks and retaining. Our transparent approach to quoting ensures our clients have a clear understanding of how each component of their arena is costed and can consider alternative materials depending on whether they are hoping to achieve more budget-friendly or high-end results. Considering our client’s individual aspirations and intended use for their arena, we’re able to tailor the arena’s design and construction to suit a wide variety of riding disciplines, aesthetic preferences and budgets. With extensive experience spanning all manner of drainage systems, landscaping materials, rural fencing, earthworks and arena footings, we work closely with our clients to deliver the highest quality results for their individual properties and budgets.

Earthworks

After having accepted our quote, construction of your new arena begins with earthworks. This involves creating a flat sub base by either clearing the existing area with the grader or by providing a cut and fill which is achieved by excavating higher ground and filling in lower lying ground with compaction, retaining as required and excavating drainage trenches. This is followed by adding upwards of several hundred tonnes of base material, depending on the arena’s size, such as road base or blue metal. For particularly low-lying ground and areas subject to flooding, an additional sub-base layer of drainage rock may also be required to prevent rising water making its way to the arena’s surface.

Compaction and Grading

Once the base layer materials and sub-base have been installed and moisture conditioned, the entire arena is then compacted, crowned or pitched if required, and precision laser graded within 10mm depth. Creating a compacted, precisely graded base layer for your arena is essential to delivering a long-lasting and consistent riding surface as well as helping to prevent injuries to both horses and riders. Poor quality materials, incorrect drainage or insufficient compaction can all result in undesirable material rising to the surface and pooling water, both of which lead to widespread deterioration of the arena and, therefore, increased risk to horses and riders.

Relying on quality base layer materials and experienced arena installers will help ensure your arena lasts the distance and will also save you money on restorations down the track. Depending on the size of the arena, Champion Horse Arenas have double drum rollers from 1 ton to 7 ton and plate compactors up to 700kg, as well as the latest dual laser grading equipment to deliver optimal compaction and grading to within 10mm precision on X and Y planes. Our meticulous approach ensures delivery of a quality engineered arena base in preparation for installation of the riding surface.

Fencing and Borders

Following completion of the base layer compaction and grading, the arena’s fences and surrounds are constructed. Champion Horse Arenas works closely with our clients to create a wide variety of arena fences and borders to deliver exceptional aesthetic appeal. Fences can be installed using round treated timber posts, pvc or timber post and rail as well as a variety of other materials including Horserail and equine wire. We can even take care of the finishing touches, such as painting your new arena fence and gates. Likewise, when it comes to Borders these may be constructed using railway sleepers, concrete or limestone blocks, pvc low lying fence or decorative stone. This stage in the arena’s construction also encompasses completion of the arena’s drainage system as well as installing any provisions for irrigation.

Riding Surface

The final stage in the construction of your new arena is the placement, distribution and grading of the riding surface, also known as topping or footing. This is generally around 60mm to 70mm depth and is also laser graded within 10mm to achieve a consistent riding surface. Champion horse Arenas keeps a record of the corner gradients of your arena for future reference. This enables us to easily check the depth and grade of your surface and accurately refill surface materials during any future relevelling or maintenance works.

The correct depth and consistency of quality riding surface material is a key component in creating a safe, non-slip surface on which the horse and rider feel secure and confident.

At Champion Horse Arenas, most of our projects are completed using screened river sand but we also offer more cost-effective options, such as unscreened sands, for those on a tighter budget. Additional materials, such as textile, rubber and other synthetic products, can also be added for riders seeking to reduce dust, bind looseness and improve drainage.

Maintenance

Once complete, with a small amount of maintenance and depending on its level of use, your new horse arena should last anywhere from 10-15 years or longer. Regular manure removal, raking, watering and dragging will help prevent dust build up and weed growth as well as level out any low spots and help ensure your arena maintains an even riding surface. At Champion Horse Arenas, we offer a comprehensive range of maintenance services so can assist you with regular grading and laser levelling right through to complete arena resurfacing and refurbishment solutions. Contact us for a friendly chat about your horse arena maintenance requirements.