6 Considerations for Riding Arena Design

Equestrian arena design depends on its intended use. However, multiple factors determine how well horse arenas perform for owners as well as riders and horses. Expanding your vision could increase your facility’s functionality, user appeal, and overall value.

For example, municipalities and other jurisdictions, universities, and equestrian organizations are choosing to augment their horse arenas with barns and even full-service event centers to host both equine and other types of activities. And as many racetrack barns around the country are now 50-75 years old, public and private owners are looking to replace or upgrade. Adding an arena and/or event center can increase your audience and revenue.

Imagine if you had a facility similar to this one on your grounds.

Fundamental design considerations for riding arenas, event centers and barns are essentially the same. 

1.  Usage (Current and Future Plans)

At Legacy Building Solutions, we start every project by listening. The more we know about how you plan to use the building and who your users are, the more we can help you custom-design a fully functional, versatile design, including recommending options to expand your vision to better meet current and future goals. Some questions to consider include:

• Who will use the arena, how, and when? What features need to be included? Organizations such as the US Dressage Federation often have very specific requirements regarding dimensions, etc. that may affect the design.
•  What could you gain by expanding your arena or adding one or more additional buildings? More space or amenities can make horse arenas more comfortable for riders, horses and other users. Broader usage capability can add value to your investment.

Commercial horse barns are usually roof-only, with or without gable ends or overhangs to help with water mitigation, but they can also be fully enclosed. Horse arenas can be open on the sides, but a fully enclosed arena offers distinct advantages for those participating in dressage, Hunter Jumper or showjumping events, polo or any number of - disciplines. Event centers are most often fully enclosed. Seamless tension fabric roof and walls provide:

• All-weather protection for year-round usability
• Indoor temperature and air quality control
• No outside distractions

What could you do with an expanded vision?

•  Winnemucca Rodeo and Events Center hosts sports, archery, and fairground activities as well as rodeos.
• Kuka Riding Center does it all, combining a barn area with a riding arena
• This state-of-the-art equestrian center includes Legacy buildings for full-service horse boarding, outdoor riding, and a 140x 220 indoor riding arena

Your event center could also accommodate activities such as weddings and other parties, etc. to increase your facility’s visibility and add new revenue streams.

Clear span construction can exceed 300 feet along any side, allowing for any indoor configuration you want, without physical impediments. You can create any size building (length, width, or height) without sacrificing strength or durability. Our tension fabric buildings are constructed using rigid steel I-beam and engineered to accommodate hanging loads such as sprinkler systems, large fans, and sound systems.

2.  Space Needs and Limitations

How much room do you have? Can you adequately accommodate:

• Your desired building size and footprint?
• Space for parking and access roads?

What are your future business plans? Accounting for that now will ensure you can make those changes or additions later on. For example, how could you expand your business and increase revenue if you had a fully enclosed arena? Or if you added stalls or event space?

3. Land Use Issues

Whether you’re a public entity or private landowner, it is important to understand all pertinent requirements and limitations to ensure proper design without glitches. 

4. Budget

Everyone has one, so pricing is always a consideration. Because professional arenas are very large, they are rarely a cost-effective solution for individual horse owners. For public or private entities considering a new arena (or barn, or event center), Legacy offers a one-stop approach for your building design, manufacturing, and installation needs.

With our design and engineering expertise and comprehensive design-manufacture-install process, you don’t need to hire an architect or a general contractor. That can reduce costs and streamline the project. On the other hand, if you are working with an architect or general contractor, we can smoothly collaborate with them to save time and ensure close communication and overall cost efficiencies.

It typically takes ⅓ (or even less in some cases) to complete a fully enclosed tension fabric arena than other construction types. You can be open for business months or even years sooner giving you a quicker return on your investment.

5. Maintenance

Designing a great arena, barn, or event center is just the beginning. Even if you come in under budget, will ongoing maintenance costs drive up your total cost of ownership? Legacy-tension fabric buildings require little to no maintenance compared to wood and metal structures.

6. User Experience 

It takes both functional and aesthetic considerations to design an arena that provides an excellent experience for all users. We’ve seen how the benefits of tension fabric for arenas, event centers, and barns significantly outweigh what you can get with a metal or wood building. Now let’s take a look at environmental considerations.

Ventilation

According to the University of Minnesota, ventilation is crucial for horse and human health and well-being. Good air circulation:

• Prevents condensation on surfaces
• Actively removes moisture, ammonia, and other fumes, dust, and pathogens
•  Brings in fresh air

Wooden structures naturally absorb moisture, which can encourage mold, mildew, and rot. Wood also absorbs aromas. Metal buildings are prone to condensation due to indoor-outdoor temperature differences. Tension fabric is thermally non-conductive which helps maintain comfortable temperatures even in roof-only barns and arenas and even more so inside fully enclosed buildings.

The smell of horses may be perfume to devoted riders, but older, poorly-ventilated buildings trap accumulated mold, mildew, ammonia, etc. creating odors that can be downright unpleasant, not to mention unhealthy to breathe.

Legacy passive ventilation systems keep air circulating naturally so it’s fresher and healthier without creating drafts. For barns and open arenas, that is usually all you need. Enclosed buildings, especially event venues, are usually insulated, lined, and can be engineered for active ventilation systems and temperature control.

Natural light

Equestrian Life magazine notes that “For stabled performance horses, lighting is particularly important.” Natural sunlight delivers vital blue light that keeps body clocks functioning properly so horses can get appropriate rest, feel good, look good, and perform at their best. Legacy’s white tension fabric is 12% translucent, in an uninsulated building, the translucency of the white fabric allows daylight to fill interior spaces through the roof and walls. Natural light also reduces the need for artificial lighting, in turn reducing ongoing energy costs.

Acoustics

Horses are notoriously sound-sensitive, so it’s no surprise that research shows that “noise anxiety is a widespread behavioral problem … that can lead to negative welfare consequences for horses.” Tension fabric roofs and walls can greatly improve the acoustic atmosphere inside arenas and other equestrian facilities. It doesn’t reverberate during noisy outdoor events such as wind and rain. It dampens indoor sounds such as microphone vibration and prevents echoes.

A Winning Project Experience, End to End

Every equestrian building is unique. Key considerations may be the same, but the details can differ vastly. That’s why every Legacy tension fabric building is entirely custom-designed, manufactured and installed.

Racetracks, event centers, and arenas nationwide have embraced Legacy's reputation, fueled by the widespread popularity of tension fabric buildings. With a wealth of experience spanning municipalities, aviation, waste & recycling, sports & recreation, ports & waterways, military, and various other sectors, Legacy Building Solutions is well-versed in serving diverse industries. We possess a deep understanding of the intricate world of equestrian activities. When you're prepared to delve into the specifics of your new arena, we're here to attentively listen and collaborate.