Arena footing in remote location

[Rainier]

I am a lower level eventer who lives in a remote mountain town. I put in a scrappy arena that would be better than my pasture full of ground squirrel tunnels. I NNN put down a couple inches of compacted road base and then c33 washed concrete sand. It is not crushed rock, so it more rounded in the particles. It was too deep and shifty and the horses hated it.

I expanded it a bit and spread the footing. It became more stable to them, but then the base got mixed in. I need to do something so that we aren’t riding in a gravelly sand arena. I could just put more concrete sand on top, a mix of concrete/mason sand, or some other excavated sand/dirt that our excavator has access to.

We do mostly flatwork and some small gymnastics and courses. Mostly I just want to be able to do things that will help our jumping (poles, cavaletti, small jump exercises) without my horses getting injured or hating to ride in the arena.

I’m wondering what thoughts people have, particularly if you know areas that font have access to silica sand, fiber or rubber additives, etc.? Thanks!

[Mouse_amp_Bay]

Some of the best equestrian sand you can buy is from Covia - they have a map that shows their plants/locations. I’m not sure if any are close enough to you!

For equestrian footing, you do not want round sand. It needs to be fine and angular, so it can lock in and be rideable. Round sand is too shifty as you have found!

[poltroon]

Is the situation right now that it is too hard or too unstable?

[fanfayre]

C-33 should not be rounded- it is meant to be semi-angular to angular, so it compacts somewhat in the sand mound. That’s what makes it a good choice for riding rings.
Double-check with the supplier that they actually sent you the C-33 they sold you!
If it wasn’t, then they should replace your footing for you with actual C-33. If they’re adamant the material WAS C-33, then they need their certification checked, and perhaps you could get a load or 2 of angular sand to mix in with the existing footing.
Hope this helps