40x40 arena - Anyone ridden in one?

measles

measles

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We have a 20 x 40m arena which has done us well over the years but increasingly we need to jump longer/larger tracks and to do that move the jumps into a flat field in the summer. However, we really do need the flexibility of a larger all weather arena.

Our problem is that the way our land around the existing arena lies means it would be much more conservativley priced to double the size to 40 x 40m rather than my preferred option of 50 x 30m or 50 x 40m. Cost is an issue - last autumn we were quoted a whopping 33k to extend to 50 x 40m, a good proportion of that additional cost being due to the drop away for the extra 10m in length.

My OH can do nearly all of the work and I really would like to get moving on this soon, but would 40 x 40m be much of an additional advantage to jump in?
 
As you say, 50 x 30 would be more flexible but I should think any addition would be good. You will get a lovely long diagnol in a 40 x 40 along which to put grids.

Just googled a triangle calculator and the diagnol will be 56.57m

If you had 50 x 30 it would be 58.31m so not much different
 
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Ours is about 45m by 35m approx, we were limited where we could put it but Mum & my Aunt who was doing all the teaching at the time, wanted to keep it as square as possible to make jumping exercises & putting a course up easier on the turns if that helps, it does mean you have a lot more room to play with width wise if that makes sense. As Thistle says, it's much more flexible :)
 
I have ridden in a 40x40 which was handy as you could split very easily for dressage practice as well as having a good space to jump in but we went for a 50x30 arena, again you can mark out an arena just not as quickly but gridding is easier and you can still do a course :)
 
My previous instructor had a 40x40m jumping grass arena. It was cut into a steep hill, so wasn't fenced - you just fell off the edge if you didn't turn. But she had steps and a big drop built into the bank into the arena and an open water in the middle. It worked really well and we jumped some decent length courses. Grids were done in the dressage arena, but that was also to protect the turf. The horses learned to turn well, and more related distance courses became easy. Instructor had two A grades, so it didn't impede her training. In your shoes, I wouldn't hesitate with the 40x40.
 
Our school is 60x40 and is often split in various ways. Personally my favourite is 40x40 as I find it much nicer to ride and jump in than 60x20, although obviously when doing long grids 60x20 gives much more room.
 
You will be very in 'vogue' because I am told that the 40 x 40 or 30 x 30 maneges are all the rage now! It stops the dressage horses anticipating the 'long side' and are reportedly great. :)

I have a boring 40 x 20 and a 20m roundpen and I have to say that the roundpen is fun.
 
To add to this question, we are hoping to put an arena in at home - would a 20x35m suffice, or is it really worth than extra 5m to get the 40m? Just that there is a nifty gap it will fit it atm!
 
20x40 is small enough....really wouldn't want to go any smaller than tht tbh. Just my personal opinion though.
 
Stencilface said:
To add to this question, we are hoping to put an arena in at home - would a 20x35m suffice, or is it really worth than extra 5m to get the 40m? Just that there is a nifty gap it will fit it atm!
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I would go for it personally - our 20 x 40 is actually 21 x 38 I think - we had a nifty gap too and so went for it. Works for us :)
 
YasandCrystal said:
I would go for it personally - our 20 x 40 is actually 21 x 38 I think - we had a nifty gap too and so went for it. Works for us :)
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Thanks, it would only be for our personal use, and just need something big enough to put up a few fences really, like the idea of the 8' poles mentioned, that would be handy.

Getting it into the space would just make the yard look 'finished' and like it was planned that way all along if you know what I mean :)
 
Stencilface said:
Thanks, it would only be for our personal use, and just need something big enough to put up a few fences really, like the idea of the 8' poles mentioned, that would be handy.

Getting it into the space would just make the yard look 'finished' and like it was planned that way all along if you know what I mean :)
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Yes I am sure you will be happy with it unless your horse is 18hh or so??! :D
 
The one at our yard is just about square, and just under 40 x 40.

OH can happily build a course with 9 t0 10 jumps in, but grid work is difficult.

I also find that you can end up riding more of a circle shape, really have to pay attention to going deep into corners, and miss the 'long side' to push the pace on a bit and 'short side' to slow the pace down, it is of course possible to do all of this in just have to think more, difficult when I have to think so much about how I am riding as well!

Just to be very picky riding the about 19 hh warmblood in there makes it feel very small, he can cover a side in trot in 8 strides without trying hard, and more than 3 jumps in can cause him to blow his brain, not enough space for him to get his head around it, but he really is an exceptionally sized horse:D
 
measles said:
My OH can do nearly all of the work and I really would like to get moving on this soon, but would 40 x 40m be much of an additional advantage to jump in?
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BIG FAT YES :)

For the same reason as you, the drop, I had to have a 30x40 instead of the 20x60 that, as someone who only really does flatwork at home, I would probably have chosen if it didn't mean a bank 18 feet high :D

I LOVE my new arena, it is so flexible as a space and if I was jump training like I used to it is 20 times more useful than a 20x40, so if you can go 40x40 you will have a super space to work in.
 
We have a 30 x 40 and it is pretty ok for jumping. I can make up a small course of 5 or 6 fences including a double, quite easily in that space.
 
Mins is 20x40 and I sometimes find the short side too short when I am trying to get more forwards from my young horse, I think a 40x40 would be perfect!
 
cptrayes said:
BIG FAT YES :)

For the same reason as you, the drop, I had to have a 30x40 instead of the 20x60 that, as someone who only really does flatwork at home, I would probably have chosen if it didn't mean a bank 18 feet high :D

I LOVE my new arena, it is so flexible as a space and if I was jump training like I used to it is 20 times more useful than a 20x40, so if you can go 40x40 you will have a super space to work in.
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Thanks - great to know! Off to make plans :)
 
TBH I think you should add a roof if you extend it....and maybe a built in iPod docking station? ;)

On a serious note I can volunteer an apprentice to assist your able OH
X
 
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