HOW WE BUILD AN ARENA

A Jackson Arena starts from £19,000 +VAT for a 20 x 40 Manege which is fenced and ready to ride on. If you are considering building your own arena why not visit our Self-Build Materials page and ask us to quote for all the necessary materials.  You can also down load our arena plans.  Not everyone can have a Jackson Arena but our 22 years experience and bulk buying means you can be sure of the right materials at the right price.

If you would like a quotation for any arena materials, please complete the following form which will then be e-mailed to us.

For most people, building a manege is one of the biggest and most expensive projects they are likely to undertake, it is therefore essential, that the end result is an arena of quality that you can use with confidence, whatever the weather.

Here we show from the planning stage to the arena being 'ready to ride on', how Jackson Arenas construct their maneges.

Planning
It is always advisable to apply for planning permission.  In 22 years of arena construction, as long as planners are consulted in the initial stages, we have yet to have planning refused.

In some area, e.g. the National Parks or in environmentally sensitive areas, planners may require a certain surface depending on the visual impact or they may insist on lanscaping to screen the arena.  Usually a compromise can be reached.  It is always useful to view arenas in your area that have already had planning approved.

If you are intending to install floodlighting at a later date ensure you will not be lighting your neighbour's house!  Planners can be particularly wary if they think floodlighting is on the agenda. Unless you are sure you  require lighting it is probably advisable to restrict your planning application to the arena at first.

Access - the size of vehicle that can deliver materials will determine the cost of those materials. An articulated lorry needs not only a wide gateway but  also wide lane to turn in off. It also needs hard, level ground to tip safely. If it is possible to tip at the edge of the arena site this will save the cost of double  handling materials. It can be cost effective to install a new track if necessary.

Services - check that your site is clear of pipes and cables. The water/electricity/'phone company will make a considerable charge if they have to come out and make repairs. Also consider over-head power/'phone lines as these can cause problems for tipping lorries and excavators.

1. Excavation - The arena is dug out using laser guided excavators to ensure correct falls and levels.  A tracking excavator is preferable as it's tracks spread the weight of the vehicle and it is less likely to compress the soil structure and so inhibit the natural drainage of the soil.

2. 6 drainage trenches are excavated with the appropriate falls, the length of the arena.

3. Geotextile, woven membrane is laid over the whole base and down into the trenches, keeping the soil separate from the drainage system.  All seams are sewn.

4. Drainage pipe is laid in the trenches and backfilled with cleanstone.  It is essential the correct stone is used to ensure the base is free-draining and stable.

5. These pipes join into a larger pipe at the end of the arena which takes water away to a ditch, stream or soakaway.

6. Clean stone is laid over the whole base and rolled with a vibrating roller.  Again, the correct material is essential.  Materials such as building rubble, scalpings or crushed concrete could cause drainage problems.  Once the arena is built it is very expensive to remove the surface and re-build the drainage system!

7. Fencing is erected with posts either driven in or concreted if ground conditions are difficult.  Driven posts are preferable as they are less resistant if a rider is thrown or falls against them.  All fencing is pressure treated for longevity and erected using laser equipment to ensure perfect alignment

8. A porous blinding layer over the stone creates a barrier between the stone and the surface.  This blinding is vibro-rolled into a hard crust.  It is imperative that a free-draining material is used allowing water to travel freely out through the drains whilst preventing sand migrating downwards thereby choking the drains. 

We do not recommend the use of a top membrane at this layer as they can become damaged, especially if horses are turned out on the arena or the arena is insufficiently
maintained.  If the membrane becomes damaged, sand can find it's way down under the membrane, begin to pile up there and eventually push the membrane up through the surface.  This can be very dangerous as the membrane can then cause horses to trip and fall.

9. The sand surface is then laid, graded off, tracked in, then rolled.  Again using the correct material is essential.  Nearly all quarried sand in Britain is described as silica sand but not all is suitable for equestrian use.  We only use a very high percent silica sand which is very fine and has angular grains, which will pack down to a firm base.  Coarser sands such as sea sand or building sand may ride too deep.

10. A topping of Star-Trak rubber fibre is added to a depth of approximately 2 inches.  This material reduces problems of drying out and riding deep in the summer and also freezing in the winter. It reduces the amount of maintenance required, as there is less movement in the sand as the horse works mainly in the rubber layer.

11. If floodlighting is required Jacksons will install all the necessary mountings, block work and ducting.

Jackson Arenas will also supply and erect arena mirrors.