No Arena, No Problem! Setting Up Your 60x20 Dressage Arena

Dreaming of riding your dressage tests at home but don't have a fancy arena? No problem! You can easily set up a standard 60x20 meter dressage arena without permanent fencing, using readily available and budget-friendly materials. This guide will walk you through the process, from measuring out the space to creating your own markers.

1. Finding and Preparing Your Space

• Choose a Suitable Area: You'll need a relatively flat, even area that measures 60 meters in length and 20 meters in width. Ideally, the ground should be reasonably level and well-drained. Walk the area to check for any holes, rocks, or other obstructions. If you're setting up on grass, mow it short.

• Mark the Corners: Use stakes, cones, or even large rocks to mark the four corners of your arena.

• Measure the Sides: Use measuring tapes or long ropes to accurately measure out the 60-meter long sides and the 20-meter short sides. Accuracy is key for practicing dressage tests!

• Squaring the Corners: To ensure your arena is a true rectangle, check that the corners are square. You can use the 3-4-5 triangle rule: measure 3 meters along one side from the corner, and 4 meters along the adjacent side. The distance between these two points should be 5 meters. Adjust the corner until this is accurate.

• Mark the Arena Boundary: While you don't need full fencing, it's helpful to have a visual boundary. You can use:

  • Jump poles: Lay them end-to-end along the measured lines.

  • Ropes or string: Stretch them between stakes or cones.

  • Cones: Place cones at regular intervals along the perimeter.

2. Positioning the Dressage Letters

The standard 60x20 dressage arena has letters around the perimeter to mark specific points for your test movements. Here's how to position them:

• Short Sides:

  • A: Midpoint (10m) of one short side (where you enter).

  • C: Midpoint (10m) of the opposite short side (opposite A).

• Long Sides:

  • K, F, M & H: 6 meters from the corners on long side.

  • E & B: Midpoints (30m) of the long sides.

  • R, S, V & P: 12m between letters on long sides

    

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

3. Creating Your Own Dressage Letters

You don't need to buy expensive dressage letters! Here are some DIY ideas:

• Inverted Flower Pots: Use large plastic flower pots, turn them upside down, and spray paint the letters on the sides. You can add sand or rocks inside for weight.

• Traffic Cones: Use traffic cones and paint or stencil the letters on them.

• Milk/Water Jugs: Fill gallon milk jugs or water jugs with sand or water for stability and write the letters on them with a permanent marker.

• Buckets: Five-gallon buckets, partially filled with sand or rocks, can also work. Remove the handles for safety.

• Wooden Stakes: Wooden stakes with letters painted on them.

Important Considerations:

• Safety: Ensure all materials are safe for horses and won't cause injury.

• Visibility: Make sure your markers and letters are clearly visible from horseback.

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With a little effort and creativity, you can have a functional dressage arena without breaking the bank!