Hi Folks,
I have some old pvc pipes I use for my diy dressage ring. Any ideas for safe, inexpensive pole risers? I used to use old plastic gas cans…what an eye-sore! I bought a few pole risers, but thats a bit expensive to hold up the whole ring. I’ve seen folks use cones with drilled holes. I think cones would get pretty expensive, they’re not cheap.
thanks!
Could you get ahold of some small tree rounds (~8") and drill holes to fit the PVC? The possibilities might depend on what you might have for power tools. Upside down buckets with holes drilled in the sides could work too (remove the bales obviously).
Cinder blocks - won’t blow around, paint them white to be fancy, can put letters on them as well.
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I use these that were recommended by several people somewhere online.
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I have used the pottys. They get the pole about 8" off the ground. I recommend drilling a hole or 2 in the bottom of the potty to let rain drain out.
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Sorry, my childish side laughed way too hard at that thought…
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Are cinderblocks considered safe? I’m thinking about accidental spills.
I’m sure that would hurt, no doubt - put the PVC can splinter if impacted as well (or stepped on…)
I’ve seen cheap trash cans used- drill a hole on either side for the pvc rail to slide through. It looks nice enough that I’ve seen this style used at plenty of unrecognized and/or locally recognized shows.
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It’s potty time in the sand ring! 
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I’ve seen potties used and they’ve been a disaster as the plastic on the cheap ones is brittle and breaks easily, although the Ikea ones may be of better quality. Agrihealth Jump Blocks are not much more expensive then the Ikea potties and have the benefit of being designed for purpose.
Polepods are a similar price when you take into account that they come in packs of four.
I’m not sure whether either is available from a USA supplier so you may have to factor in import costs.
Second vote for cinder blocks. I use the 1/2 cinder blocks with 3" PVC pipe. Looks tidy and stays where I put it. As to falls --I think any item on the ground would hurt a person if he/she fell on it --PVC pipe, fancy flower pot letter box, wire letter holder --even a rubber cone if it caught the rider in the eye or face. Here is a picture of my large dressage arena --you may need to enlarge to see the cinder blocks – there IS a pole out of place over by F . . .oops.
Cinder blocks are not so safe. Sharp corners, rock-hard. I know someone who broke their back falling on one, I would use something else.
I would look at white plastic trash cans, and drill a hole in the side for pvc pipes. All on my home de Pot card.
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Why not just set the poles on the ground?
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Buckets. Take the handles off. Drill two holes in them on the sides, place them upside down and thread the poles through them. You can buy white buckets at any hardware store. We used them for years. They held up to being stepped on, run over by the tractor, rain, baby horses, dogs, and hurricanes.
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That’s what I do, but I am only setting up the ring for practice rides for myself and sometimes a few others. Very temporary.
Not too pretty, but cheap and safe. I have seen not too full sandbags used. You just nestle the pole on top. With light weight poles you might want another on top. Doesnt raise it much, but keeps the poles in place pretty well.
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