Archive for the 'General' Category

Installing the GGT Footing

Published on May 5, 2010 in Additives, Arena Building, General and Surfaces. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

Due to the windy nature of the location, we formulated the riding surface to be “wind proof” as well as being great footing.
Pre-Blended Footing

In a collaborative effort between Willow Tree Farm, Roanoke Sand & Gravel and Ourselves we blended two sands to make a footing which had good binding properties.

This sand was then pre-blended with the GGT footing at the quarry.

Although the primary focus at Willow Tree Farm is dressage we decided upon the GGT Jumping Blend.

The jumping blend has higher levels of fiber. We knew the result would be more wind proof as the footing would have a tighter mix.

Pre-Blended Footing

To achieve great footing pre-blending is essential.

When the footing is delivered and spread in the arena you are guaranteed consistent footing.

The footing additives will be distributed evenly from top to bottom.

Anyone who has tried to incorporate an additive by harrowing it into the footing from the top, knows it is virtually impossible to achieve consistent footing.

Installed Footing

Finished Footing

Willow Tree Farm Kickboard Replacement

Published on May 4, 2010 in Arena Building and General. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

The original footing had literally blown away. I guess it can be windy on the North Shore of Long Island.

Step one in our plan to make the footing permanent was to replace the 1×6 inch kickboard with something more substantial.

We decided on 2×12 presure treated lumber in 16 foot lengths. My back still hurts!

Installing new kickboard Finished KickboardWhen choosing a kickboard design you must consider several factors.

The most important being the safety of the horse (and rider). Ensure the distance between the kickboard and the next rail is less than eight inches to prevent the horse from stepping out of the arena.

Don’t make the kickboard so fancy  the person dragging the arena is too scared to get close to the edge.

Try to make the joints between each piece as smooth as possible.

This will allow you to brush the harrow up against the kickboard without any surprises during dragging.

We recently completed an installation in Whister, British Columbia.

The design included a tapered liner with an extra “piece” to protect the liner.

Kickboard

I liked this design because it would be simple to replace the kickboad if it was ever damaged by equipment or a horse.

Kickboard and Base

Planning on New Footing this Spring?

Published on March 5, 2010 in Additives, General and Surfaces. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , .

GGT-Footing

Want the same footing the competitors are using at the 2010 Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL?

Would you like this premium footing mixture already blended with the sand and ready for installation?

You can have this competition-ready surface for as low as $92 a ton.*  Attwood Equestrian Surfaces is offering this special pricing on GGT Footing in time for a spring installation!

GGT Footing is a polyester fiber mixture has been used for more than 10 years as footing for multiple riding disciplines.  When blended with sand, GGT endures the test of time, resists packing, provides optimal drainage and minimizes joint and tendon stress on the equine athlete.

 The benefits of GGT Footing include:

  • Reduced Dust
  • High Water Resistance
  • Optimal Impact Resistance
  • Higher slide strength and additional stability
  • Prevents Packing
  • Extended Lifetime of your Arena Surface (up to 10 years)

Attwood Equestrian Surfaces is proud to announce its partnership with GGT Footing, a German geotextile footing supplier.  We have been building quality riding arenas for more than 18 years. Our mission is to provide meticulously engineered surfaces that benefit the horse and rider.

Call our office at 888.461.7788 for more information.

 *This is the FOB price; does not include freight or installation. Prices vary by arena size.

Great Series on Farm Design in the Chronicle

Published on March 3, 2010 in Arena Building and General. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

Planning, Planning, Planning.

We know the devil is in the detail. And with building arenas or planning a barn, planning is key.  This continuing series on Farm Design in The Chronicle of the Horse  which ended last week gives a through look at all aspects of the subject. 

It is all about setting a Master Plan. For the arena, there can be issues with site selection, drainage, arena size and budgetary considerations. And this is only a portion of task at hand. Gathering as much information as possible and consulting with true equine specialists can make the overwhelming seem “doable.”

There are a few other magazines that have been spot on with this planning theme. Here are links to those as well:

The July 2008 issue of Dressage Today featuring an overview of footing.

The California Riding Magazine focused on the science behind our products.

Stable Management, a magazine for the horse professionals, also tackled this topic in its July 2008 issue.

The United States Dressage Federation has published a wonderful “how-to” booklet on arena construction and footing. Underfoot: USDF Guide to Dressage Arena Construction, Maintenance and Repair which is available on their website.

Removing Snow from Your Arena

Published on February 17, 2010 in Additives and General. 0 Comments Tags: , .

With the strong bout of winter weather in the Mid-Atlantic, we been asked on several occasions what to do with the snow. If you have more than a couple of inches, I would recommend you do nothing. Unless you have a “black-belt” in equipment operation, you run the risk of unleveling your surface.

The best advice is to wait for the snow to melt down to about 2 inches and then lightly harrow the surface, taking care not to break into the base.

Blog Watchung 035

Congrats to Pony Lane Farm

Published on February 10, 2010 in General. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

Kesley Thatcher and Carlotta

Congratulations to Maura Thatcher, our client from South Jordan, UT, on a successful 2009 season. The Pony Lane Farm crew took more than 7 notable awards, ranging from USEF horse of the year breed honors to competition jumping prizes.

♦  Francesca, a 9-year-old Hanoverian mare, was United States Equestrian Federation ( USEF)  Horse of the Year for Regular Confirmation as well as Grand Confirmation Champion,  ridden by Maggie Jayne;

♦  Gianni a, a 13-year-old Polish Warmblood gelding, was United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Horse of the Year for Junior Hunter large 16 through 17 as well as Grand Junior Hunter for 2009, ridden by Kelsey Thatcher;

♦  Early Applause, a 9 year-old Warmblood gelding, was United States  Equestrian Federation (USEF) Green Confirmation Champion; ridden by Maggie Jayne;

♦  Capone, an 11-year-old Warmblood gelding,  was United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Reserve Champion Junior Hunter 15 yrs under, ridden by Maddy Thatcher;  and

♦  Mirasol, a 9-year-old Warmblood gelding, was United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Reserve Champion Junior Hunter 16 through 17, ridden by Kelsey Thatcher.

In the jumping ring, Kelsey won two Grand Prizes this summer on Carlotta:  $50,000 at the Spring Spectacular Show in Chicago and $25,000,at the Ledges Spring Classic in Chicago.  (Pictured above / Photo © Jennifer Wood/PMG.)

Kelsey also represented Zone 8 at the North American Young Riders Championship in Kentucky, placing Third in the First Class. 

 Maddy Thatcher was a member of the Zone 8 Gold Medal Pony Jumper Team on her pony  Bally Mac.

Congratulations to the Thatcher Family and best of  luck in 2010!

Watchung Stables in Union County, New Jersey

Published on February 8, 2010 in Additives and General. 2 Comments Tags: , , , .


 

We were approached by an engineering company because of work we had done for them on another arena in New Jersey. The arena at Watchung had drainage issues and really needed rehabilitation. We were able to work with them on a solution and eventually install the footing.  And in spite of the winter weather, the footing is ready to ride!
Owned and operated by the County of Union since 1933, Watchung Stables provides people with the opportunity to learn how to ride, to enhance their equestrian skills or just to enjoy the natural beauty of the 26 miles of bridle paths that weave through the Reservation.

We just completed another successful installation of the GGT footing additive for a 43,000-square foot arena at Watchung Stables in Mountainside, NJ.  This stable complex is part of the Watchung Reservation, a 2,000-acre forest preserve about 15 miles from Newark Airport.

We were approached by an engineering company because of work we had done for them on another arena in New Jersey. The arena at Watchung had drainage issues and really needed rehabilitation. We were able to work with them on a solution and eventually install the footing.  And in spite of the winter weather, the footing is ready to ride!

Working in the snow

Working in the snow

Owned and operated by the County of Union since 1933, Watchung Stables provides people with the opportunity to learn how to ride, to enhance their equestrian skills or just to enjoy the natural beauty of the 26 miles of bridle paths that weave through the Reservation.

Blog Watchung 056

Blog Watchung 083

Visit Us at Equine Affaire Massachusetts

Published on November 11, 2009 in General. 0 Comments Tags: , .

Visit us at the 12th annual Equine Affaire, set  for Nov. 12 to 15 at the Eastern States Exposition Center in West Springfield. The event is expected to draw tens of thousands of horsepeople to enjoy a world-class educational program and extensive trade show as well as an entertaining and informative competition.

We are in Booth 642 in the Better Living Center. Hope to see you!

 

 

Washington International Horse Show

Published on October 22, 2009 in General. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

Visit us at the Washington International Horse Show  this week as the 51st annual competition returns to Verizon Center in Washington, D.C., Oct. 20-25, 2009.

We are in Booth 18 … right across from the Silent Auction area.

An equestrian tradition since 1958, the Washington International Horse Show brings horses and riders of all ages, including Olympic champions from all over the world, to the nation’s capital for thrilling jumping competition and a chance to compete for more than $400,000 in prize money and championship titles. About 500 horses participate in show jumping, hunters, equitation and dressage events during the six-day show. Special exhibitions, shopping on the concourse and community and charity events round out this family-friendly show.

10/18 Open House at Sprieser Sporthorse

Published on October 15, 2009 in General and Surfaces. 0 Comments Tags: , , .
One of our favorite clients is celebrating their two-year anniversary this weekend. Sprieser Sporthorse in Marshall, VA, is hosting an Open House from 1 – 3 pm on Sunday, Oct. 18. Join them for demonstrations and take a look at the Attwood dust-free footing in the arena.
Sprieser Sporthorse Indoor Arena

Sprieser Sporthorse Indoor Arena