Do you prefer jumping on grass or in an arena?

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HollyhedgePippa

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What the title says:)

I have my first arena sj comp tonight and I'm hoping that my ride will be a lot smoother, as I swear the grass I recently jumped on had Ben Nevis growing on it!!
 
It is easier to jump in an arena with an artificial surface, it's level & should be the same consistancy in any part of the area. Grass arenas are a totally different kettle of fish. I was at Wales & West a while ago & chatted with David Broom. He said that he had to put in surfaces a while ago because thet's what people wanted & he said that they are so much easier to jump on & that his Castle Arena which is grass & was put down by his father. There are undulations & slopes, sometimes you are jumping up hill, sometimes downhill & all these different slopes etc need different skills. From what David said there are so many riders now that don't have the knowledge or ability to ride grass courses well. He also said that unfortunately there are less & less grass arenas around the country to practice on as well......mainly the occasional County Show.
 
Surface for me to when sj or dressage - it doesn't matter what the weather conditons are and I don't have to worry about studding. I also find I ride more positively on a surface as don't worry about slipping. I will occasionally do a WH class on grass, but my entries are often dependant on ground conditions, especially if it is too hard.

I hunt weekly in the winter and am happy jumping in muddy conditions then, but I imagine it is because we don't have to make tight turns or have to worry about distances.
 
I would prefer jumping in an arena, but as I don't have one I have to make do with grass.

I dunno whether Jack minds either way.
 
Oh for the luxury of an arena :p

Depends on the surface really - if the grass is muddy / slippy / rock hard, or the arena surface very deep I would avoid both ;)
 
Dont mind which surface but do seem to enjoy shows held on grass more these days. Guess it's because they are so rare now and very much a novelty.
I learnt the trade back when all jumping was done on grass so pretty normal for me. :o
 
Grass, but I jump on grass at home, so am used to it. I am quite happy jumping on arenas if they are not too deep, but quite a lot are!
 
Most places we go are arenas but daughter much prefers jumping on grass - pony doesn't care either way as long as the rings are of a decent size :D
 
Both, but I use the field more than the arena I have available to hire. I find the pony has to learn to balance better and not be so reliant when schooling/jumping in the field. He was backed in a field and has always been very well balanced/sure footed.
 
defently prefere jumping in an arena where its flat
unfortunatly i dont own a arena so i ride in the field but really i dont mind i still get to jump and have more space! :)
 
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