Is There an Easy Way to Set Up a Dressage Arena?
We will be setting up a dressage arena( smaller size for introductory levels) multiple times this summer in a larger outdoor arena. Any suggestions for a quick and easy set up?
We thought about a clothes line with markings and using a 3-4-5 triangle method to get square corners.
Thanks!!
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Clothesline isn’t great. If you want to use it, make sure it’s in short lengths so it won’t make a tangled mess that will trap legs if a horse tries to go through it.
One thing I’ve seen done is to use "step in" poles (used in electric fencing) for the supports. Make sure you get the kind that bend under pressure and won’t hurt anyone falling on them. Place them appropriately and run the line between them. Make sure each length of line is a separate piece.
Another thing you can do that is safer is to just use landscape timbers on the ground. Lay them out in the proper shape, and they’re safe and reliable. If these are too heavy, you can use pvc drain pipes (the heavier ones are better).
THe whole idea with the fence is to just be a guide line. Even using a spray paint on the ground is sufficient. It’s small to show that the rider has complete control of the horse; that he’s not using the fence as a crutch the way you can in an arena.
Once you’ve laid it out as best as possible by eye, measure the diagonals and move the corners until the diagonals are equal. That’s the easiest way to make sure it’s properly squared.
Edit: just reread… did you mean using the clothesline to get the dimensions right? LoL! THat’s a great idea. You can also mark the lengths the diagonals will be. But you don’t need to do the 345 to get the corners right. If the diagonals are equal, the corners are correct.