Building a dressage arena - standard or oversized?

I’m going to be putting in an outdoor dressage arena in the spring, and I’m trying to decide whether I want it the standard 20x60m, or if I want it just a bit bigger to allow me to set up a dressage arena in the middle of it and to have enough room to let me ride around the dressage ring like in a show.

I’ve seen it done both ways, and I don’t have a preference at this time so I’m wondering what the general consensus is.

If I do go on the bigger side, how much bigger should I go to allow me to ride around the outside?

Go as big as you have the space and $$ for.

If you sell it makes it more attractive to future buyers.

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You’ll never regret having extra space

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Bigger is always better if you can work it financially. You’ll never regret having a larger riding surface IME.

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Standard is just standard test size. There’s lots of times schooling where you would love a bigger arena, even a giant field. Especially for canter work. Also in future if anyone wants to jump, even a buyer. All dressage training is not done in a test size arena

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I think the minimum extra would be about 2.5 meters on each edge. I concur that the largest surface you can afford will be very beneficial, and especially extra width. Having more strides that can be straight is really helpful, and bigger is especially helpful for young horses or for jumping or any kind of fun-with-obstacles.

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Agree that bigger, with an edge if possible. I would LOVE to be able to drag my ring and get under the ground marking edge poles --true --I can move them, but even when I do, because my large ring is exactly 66.6 by 132.6 my edge is grass with no footing. I am sure that over the years (I think I’ve had it for 30+ years, the footing along the edges has become “different” than what’s in the middle --more packed. I only work my ring to a depth of 4" --unless I have a bad spot, then I might go deeper. And controlling the edge grass --it’s always trying to migrate into the ring --the kids who work for me sometimes have to take shovels and dig it back.

But regardless of what you decide, you will find that every ring has its flaws --I agonized that my ring has a “clay spot” that’s different in one corner and a wet spot that always seems to have a puddle after the rain. But travelling with kiddos around the East Coast to 3-Day shows --we found that all dressage rings have imperfections --except maybe Lamplight in Chicago --perfect! Some of the most prestigious shows just roped and mowed a flat place for dressage –

Anyway --enjoy your ring. I’m waiting for mine to thaw.

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An arena that is only a standard dressage size introduces limitations for future use and resale. If you can go a little bigger, than you accomplish the dressage goal to mimic the show ring and allow for better space to support jumping should you or a future buyer want to do so. If you don’t have to limit to 20x60 m, then don’t.

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I have a 75’x200’ ring so it’s basically standard length but a little wider. The extra width is nice. Mine buts up against woods and the far end is deemed scary, so we don’t actually end up using all of the length, but we definitely use the width. It’s really nice to be able to stay within a 20m width but not be right on the walls. I am admittedly a lazy rider and unconsciously use the walls to help steer whenever I can, so staying off of them makes me ride better. :slight_smile:

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I agree with everyone else. Make the arena as big as you can make it (space and finances). You will never regret having more room to work on things.

If space is limited but you still want to make a track around your standard sized 20x60m, I would make the extra band around the edges 10’ wide. You want it sized so you can easily get a tractor around to drag things.

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Another vote for bigger. +10’ around all sides would be nice, at minimum. Go as big as you can

This might the first COTH thread I’ve seen where everyone is in consensus. OP take that as a sign! :joy:

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