I have ridden on it and I have reverted to an excited teenager and have only one thing to say.
OMG
OMGeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
O M G !!
It is the difference between training for doing a dressage test somewhere else, to riding purely for its own sake. It is amazing what a difference all that width makes - a movement goes a bit wrong, shift it over a bit and you still have enough space to complete the movement correctly. I will have an endless choice of training exercises. Today I only tried 20m circle in each corner but even that was fabulous.
On the downside, Jazz was so overawed by the arena that he simply could not concentrate on any real work. But he did throw a number of (requested) flying changes with huge expression, so he can work really easily on it. Ace was so overawed by it that all he wanted to do was canter and when I wouldn't let him he bucked me off! And he meant it, too.
I can, therefore, confirm that the rubber is a nice bouncy surface to land on. My own fault, I guess. After all, he hasn't been ridden at all for two weeks and then I throw that at him :-) Also serves me right for holding a bucking horse back instead of pushing it on. He looked very embarassed when I caught him, and did some brilliant work to compensate for dumping me on the floor.
Buttie got onto it when I was riding Jazz and I have some photos to post later of his reaction, which was to turn onto his back and wriggle in the sand :-) It is definitely big enough to interval train Radar as well. I spent the afternoon painting the kicker boards dark green so that they are not visible from the road, and tomorrow I will be investigating how easy it is to grade the surface with my new grader.
A friend of mine, seeing the arena for the first time yesterdat said "you spoiled brat". I have to agree.
C
I am seriously jealous!!! But I am happy for you too - to have such a good arena to train the horses in. Everyone will benefit! Hopefully you won't have too many unexpected landings on that soft surface.
ReplyDeleteI too am jealous as rubber would be my footing of choice. But, all that being said, I am seriously, honestly, and genuinely delighted for you! Now that we have successfully converted you to a dressage rider--despite that curious urge of yours to gallop pell mell over cross country hedges--I am happy to know you have a truly wonderful and proper schooling area. Way to go!! *G*
ReplyDeleteI will be interested to hear what Radar thinks of the whole thing. Wouldn't it be great if he liked it enough to actually make some contented effort at training on the flat? Now, that would be true proof of the arena surface!
Congratulations. I'm glad it's even better than you expected.
Fabulous, why not treat yourself, you're going to use it after all. Glad it gives you a nice soft landing as well as a nice ride!!!! Very envious.
ReplyDeleteYes, a definite bounce in the surface. It was designed that way but I am not sure that they meant you to bounce along it on your bum :-)
ReplyDeleteC