120 x 80 outdoor arena -- big enough?

[King_s_Ransom]

We are getting close to having the contractor out to put in posts for our new fencing, and it’s coming down to the wire for me to make final decisions.

We are putting in an outdoor riding arena, and as it turns out, the most cost-effective size for us is 80 x 120 – if we go beyond that size, there is a lot of additional grading work to be done. If I stay within that footprint, I will save a ton of money.

Am I going to be happy with this size? I won’t be jumping, just mainly working my 16.2h Thoroughbred on low-level dressage and the new 14h pony on fundamentals. The granddaughter (who is 5 now) also will be riding here.

PS – We also have a separate 60-ft. round pen.

Thoughts?

[jazzrider]

We have a 70x110 exercise arena - size also determined by cost and grading. It’s great for lunging, schooling and lessoning if you aren’t a jumper. Sure, I wish it was longer, but it works well enough for us.

[rabicon]

I have a 60 wide by 120 long dressage ring. It works great for me because I’m the only ine that rides in it. A friend use to ride in it with me and it was large enough for two people but over that you’d start to get crowded IMO. We could actually sit up 8 jumps in there. Some would be rollbacks but it was doable. 6 fit very comfortably. For dressage and flat work only it works great!

[GraceLikeRain]

Definitely doable. It is even big enough for two people to school at once as long as both riders are alert and there are clear rules about when to yield and calling out direction changes.

[rabicon]

Also just to add there is a lot of upkeep in an arena to keep it nice. Consider that when you consider size ESP If you are Not boarding etc. If it’s just you and family it should work great. Mine gets grass growing in it ughhh and weeds. Even though it was built by arena builders and has layers of footing underneath the grass still grows. So spraying, dragging, fencing, etc. So the bigger the more work over time. I will say please please please don’t get any small pebbles (rocks) in it for drainage. We bought our house and the arena was already here. Was new actually and never rode in but they put some type of small rocks gravel something in it for drainage and it has over the past 7 years made it’s way to the surface. Luckily it’s small enough I don’t think it bothers the horses but i just hate seeing it in there and always wondering if it’s going to get worse and I’m going to have to take it all out.

[NBChoice]

Yes! I have a 60x100 and it works fine. I do wish it was bigger some days, but it’s actually a really nice size for what I’m doing with it. Plus it is big enough that 2 people can ride at once.

[pony_grandma]

A small dressage arena is 66 ft X 131.23 ft. We made our outdoor arena 70 x 140. It is big enough to do the circles, the change of direction, have a long side canter line. We can set a jump chute down a long side, do a jump diagonal etc. Ideally a 100 x 200 would have been the best but we had limited space.

I do have to say that having the arena (good footing) really was the primary reason that my daughters could learn to ride right. It’s a different focus in an arena. Not saying that all the ‘out’ riding that we have didn’t help them! That too was a huge factor.

Fencing an arena really helps with green horses and kids. Having that defined boundary aids in control. We made our fence spaced so that you can roll under the bottom board (and a good dog escape) and also slide sideways between the lower board and the top board (a no climb fence).

Also, for budding arena builder/dreamers, we placed ours up against a neighboring road and in the back of our barn. The farrier and sawdust, hay truck can drive thru the arena and backup to the barn. The access is so helpful. It can be all weather party parking also!

[King_s_Ransom]

I MIGHT be able to make it a bit longer, like 80 x 140 – I will have to talk to the contractor. However, I know I cannot go any wider without adding a LOT of grading / fill work. Depending on the cost, would you say it’s worth it to try to squeeze another 20 feet in length?

[pony_grandma]

I think that the xtra 20 ft would give you the canter line so that the corners don’t come up so fast. I wouldn’t worry about the width if you’re not setting real jump courses. What you’ll have is good enough for any schooling exercises.

Exciting isn’t it!

[horsepoor]

Mine is 80x160. Big enough for flat work with my horses, ranging from 15.2 with power steering to 16.2ish and drives like a zamboni. I would hate to go smaller, but that 80’ width is pretty nice, so if I HAD to do only 120 in length, I could handle it as long as the width stayed >80’. One guy wanted us to only do 60’ width and I would have hated that. We built on a hill so had to do significant dirt work and retaining walls. I had a lot of back and forth with contractors during bidding, considering different sizes. In the end, the topography dictated the size. Yeah, would have loved the 100x200 that I originally asked for, but this works fine. Less to water in the summer and blow leaves off in the fall!

[walktrot]

When my b/o first began developing her facility she put in an 80x180 outdoor. When she started shopping around for buildings, she refused to do less than 80’ width because she feels that little bit of extra room makes a big difference at the canter. She wound up putting up a steel building that is overall 120x200. The arena is 80x200, and the other 40’ of width is the barn portion. The nice thing about the indoor is that we can set up a small dressage arena for rain-or-shine in-barn shows for the kids. She spent a pretty penny, but she has a terrific facility.

[New_Hope]

I would go as big as you can afford. Mine is about that size and I regret not making it bigger every single day

[2DogsFarm]

@New Hope Welcome to the BB
A Tip:
You posted on a nearly 6yo thread.
Even if you are searching for topics, check the original date before adding to a zombie thread.
Unless you are the original poster, or have relevant new info, adding to acdead thread is wasted effort.

[nesdamycart]

@2DogsFarm : have to disagree with your post of April 18 - I just Googled ‘arena sizes’ and was brought to this thread…I found @New Hope 's comment helpful

[Polydor]

Dang it , I was hoping king’s ransom was back and checking in . Boo.

P.