dressage arena size?

[buck22]

Looking through the ADS manual I thought I had read 40x100. Looking at my dressage tests however, it states 40x80.

If you had your choice of either size, which would you choose for practice?

Single 14.3 h, the ground is sloping and bumpy (if that matters, and using a smaller size will not change things much).

I could eventually set up a cones course here too, if that matters.

Thank you!!!

[ZELLA]

Training, prelim, and some intermediate dressage in CDE’s is done in a 40x80. Most intermediate and all advanced is done in a 40x100. You can check the Omnibus listings for events in your area to see what is typical for intermediate at places you’re likely to go.

If you have aspirations to move beyond prelim, and have the space, or want to host clinics, you might as well make a large arena and have two sets of markers for each length.

Either size is sufficient for setting up good cones exercises. Having a marked dressage arena set up for regular practice is a huge help with perfecting accuracy of your figures.

[Emilia]

The ground sloping and bumpy- are you driving in our pasture?

I was going to post about riding dressage, which is 20x40 meters (small) and 20x60 meters (normal).

Then, I figured, this is a driving forum, so I dag out this for you:

http://www.americandrivingsociety.org/dressage_test.asp

It seems, it is 40x80 for small driving arena. Also, I found another document about some show venue, which stated that the maximum would not exceed 40x100.

Godhors in this thread says, advanced level is 40x100

http://chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?393410-Driving-Arena-Footings

I hope, it will help a little. Btw., I don’t drive (yet), just long-line our minis. I am sniffing around this forum in the preparation for the leap.

[goodhors]

I would always go for bigger arena over a smaller one. You can drive the smaller size inside the big one, but you can’t expand a small arena when you need a large one.

Bigger size is useful for many other things like conditioning, galloping, riding without constantly bending the equine.

You can work up the dirt with a disc and drag it, which should help smooth it out some. Surface of dirt is always going to be a bit rougher than a prepared surface of layers like stone and gravel which drain off better.

We have ALMOST the full size 40x100 meter arena, and it has sure been a good tool for training every discipline over the years. Built for Driving Multiples, but served well for the Pony Club fence work, Barrel and Pole Bending, Flag Races of 4-H Games, allowed enough room for 2 lessons at the same time without coming close to bothering the other animal. Bigger IS BETTER in making an arena. Just so much more useful when doing extensions, big strided horses get in more than just a couple before having to turn again. Canter work or galloping for fitness, means horse still has some DISTANCE before having to bend for the short ends. Horse is not quitting before actually REACHING OUT in those big gaits.

The big arena was a good investment for us and all the use we have gotten from it over the years. Couldn’t make it bigger, just ran out of field edges. Located on about the only flat place we have. Kind of funny to see the true figure 8’s to show in the grass surface of arena, telling us Husband is doing correct driving practice when looking at Satellite photos of the farm! I complimented him when I saw that, made him smile.

[DiamondJubilee]

I agree with goodhors as well. We are lucky and are able to have a 40 x 80 grass ring and we also have a sand ring, though its a little smaller, is very comfortable to drive in when the grass is too wet. We are also able to extend our grass ring another 20m if needed. Right now we only drive at the Prelim level, so its the perfect size.
Having the correct size arena is very important. We notice the difference from driving in the sand ring to the big ring. In the small ring its so much harder! Things come up faster etc. Then to change to the big ring, circles go wonky, figures are off etc. Its much better to train in the size that you will be showing in IMHO.

[buck22]

What valuable and interesting feedback, thank you all so much!

If I could ever actually even get to a show then maybe I could start having dreams of going beyond training, haha!

There is a field in the back of the property where I board that was going largely unused, overgrown and has some large unmoveable objects around. The BO was very kind in allowing me to mow a dressage court. With a range finder, I measured out 40x100 and mowed it for my figures. When I mowed my 40m circles it dawned on me they didn’t touch in the middle. When I consulted my dressage test, the circles did pass over X, and I noticed that it specified 40x80.

I was really hoping I wasn’t wrong! It was a lot of work and my back is still hurting from pushing the mower! :lol:

The BO has since mowed over the figures I cut, so now with a relatively blank slate again, I was curious if I should refigure it for 40x80 instead.

Good point about practicing in an appropriate sized area, chances are most shows I ever get to will only have a 40x80. But, also great point about having more room to move out.

At least I know neither is a wrong size, so thats good. Lots to think on.

I don’t think discing and dragging will be an option, surely the BO would like to use the paddock for horses and grazing one day. I’m actually grateful for the slope, I like working on slopes, keeps you very aware with the horse starting to race down and lag going up. Lots to keep you on your toes, and when you do wind up on a flat surface it feels like a breeze! :lol:

Thank you so so much!

[goodhors]

We have a set of letters, just measure them for either sized ring, depending on what level you are going to show at. Cones at the shorter length, say for C and A can help “end” the short arena, easy to move out for longer length arena for playing at Intermediate if you want. X can be where you need for practice in either size. Nothing permanent to get horse anticipating " We ALWAYS turn here at the weed patch!"

Try some of the other Tests, learn new-to-you movements or start practicing them to keep horse more fresh by not repeating “same old stuff”. If horse is capable, using tests calling for more skill will help be ready for that step up later. Driving Dressage is all about “building” your horse’s skills to be the best he can over time and progressively difficult Tests.

Discing and dragging don’t mean you reduce the surface to a plowed field look. Disc just cuts the surface up, loosens packed soil so dragging with teeth, has an effect in filling lower places. I do this method to even out hoof marks, ROUGH ground for mowing. I try to do it before a rain, so the plants live and take hold again, to keep soil protected from erosion and heat of the sun. We get some DEEP places by the Arena in the adjoining strip of ground which gets used as the sacrifice area over winter and spring before pastures are open. Shake your teeth out riding over those ruts in any vehicle! Regrowth is then easy to mow evenly, horses graze it, and driving over it is MUCH nicer.

[buck22]

Thank you as always for the great advice! I doubt the discing will happen, its just not my place to suggest such a thing there, but the ground isn’t terribly rutted up actually, just lumpy in an undulating way, little rises and falls. Its definitely ok for our purposes and will make life easy if we every actually go someplace flat and groomed!