FAQ

For several years now, the HCCG worked together with equine experts and scientists of the University of Applied Sciences Osnabrück to achieve an optimized way for riding arena surface construction. Finally, the HSPG (High Score Performance Ground) was developed by using high-quality materials and an elastic mat tested under extreme pressure. Not only does the HSPG provide ideal conditions for riding but it also makes a convincing case regarding safety, equine health and water management. What sets the HSPG apart is the integration of the so-called High Score Elastic Floor, our special elastic arena mats which are made of high-quality materials and scientifically tested and certified.

Throughout the years, the FEI collaborated with Professor Lars Roepstorff of the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in order to develop standards for this, which particularly resulted in these criteria: impact firmness, cushioning, responsiveness, grip, uniformity and consistency. The impact firmness defines the shock experienced by the hoof when it hits the ground and relates to the hardness and material of the surface layer. When the FEI talks about cushioning, they refer to how all the surface layers react to dampen and reduce the maximum force when a horse puts its full weight on the leg. Ideally, a well-cushioned surface is able to reduce the stress and strain of a horse’s leg as hoof and ground are in full contact. Meant by responsiveness is the activeness and energy rebound of the surface, in the way that a surface may be pushed down by the horse’s weight and yet spring back up and support the momentum into the next stride. It’s closely related to the cushioning of the surface. The grip is on one hand composed of the surface fraction and on the other of the intertwinement of the surface’s top and other layers. It affects how much the horse’s hoof slides during momentum; and while it is important for impact absorption that the hoof can slide somewhat, it should not slide too much so that slipping can be prevented. Uniformity and Consistency are concerned with how much the surface characteristics vary across the whole arena. A riding surface can look even and yet when you ride across it the impact firmness, grip and cautioning may change from stride to stride. The requirements for an ideal riding surface vary depending on the equine discipline.

A riding surface is usually built in three layers: the base layer, which provides the necessary stability from below, the separation layer, which separates and interlocks the layers, and the surface layer, whose requirements can vary depending on the discipline. The base layer is the important foundation that gives the entire footing the necessary stability. Its other main task is to drain excess water from the soil. It consists, for example, of natural soil, gravel or crushed stone; cement or lime can be added to increase the stability. The separation layer prevents the other layers from mixing while simultaneously interlocking them. It should be water-permeable and act as a sort of buffer to minimise the pointed pressure on the hoof. Nowadays, it often consists of a synthetic mat or grids. By the by, our HSPG with the original High Score Elastic Floor as separating layer fulfils all FEI standards and is safer, healthier and more resource-friendly than a normal riding surface. It also provides additional elasticity based already in the separation layer. The surface layer is the actual surface of the arena footing, which will frequently consist of a combination of sand mixtures and aggregates. For this part, the composition depends crucially on the subsequent use: While a dressage surface, for example, should be loose and elastic and therefore needs a softer surface layer, a jumping surface would rather need a good grip to best support tight turns on a firmer ground.

Our High Score Elastic Floor is exceptionally well suited as a separation layer in riding arena construction because it is safer, healthier and more resource-efficient than a normal riding surface. But what exactly makes our original puzzle mat (RT35HSPG) so special? Developed in a collaboration between science (Hochschule Osnabrück) and equine expertise (HCCG and Hof Kasselmann), our HSPG is currently the ideal and sustainable riding surface. In contrast to many other surfaces, which only gain their elasticity through the surface layer, our puzzle mat used as a separating layer gives the HSPG a remarkable degree of additional elasticity, for rides that are easy on the horses’ joints and strength. Our mat also enables the footing to be constantly moistened, which optimises surefootedness when riding. Sustainability is a top priority, too: Not only is the mat environmentally friendly and made of recycled materials – due to its unique composition, our HSPG also saves up to 50% water. It is precisely because of its permeability that our mat creates ideal conditions for all kinds of weather and is already being combined with various drainage systems and used around the world. Our HSPG has been tested, approved and installed by first-class international dressage and show jumping riders. Professor Lars Roepstorff (FEI-recognised Riding Surface Expert) and the Hochschule Osnabrück have also tested the HSPG extensively and found among other things that it offers increased safety by reducing the critical fall height by 50%. Naturally, the HSPG also fulfils all other FEI standards.

When building an arena surface, the choices do not stop with materials for the various layers – the issue of drainage also plays an important role in order for one to enjoy their riding surface for as long as possible. Thus, we will present two of the more common variants in comparison: surface drainage (horizontal) and the ebb and flow system (vertical). The classic drainage system is a form of surface drainage in which the water drains away on one side of the arena thanks to a slope in the ground. A gradient between 0.5 and 2% is recommended for this – the rule of thumb is that the gradient should be higher (1.5 – 2%) in a region with a relatively damp subsoil. This gradient is not only built into the footing, but should run through all layers of the riding surface. Another alternative that has become increasingly popular in recent years is the so-called ebb and flow system. Here, a sort of water basin is created on the compacted subsoil using a special foil, on which drainage pipes are then laid. These, in turn, are connected to an external supply unit, via which a fully automatic computer control system regulates the water level. It works like this: as soon as the humidity in the surface layer increases (precipitation) or decreases (evaporation), the water level specified in the control system is restored completely automatically so that the humidity of the surface remains constant at all times.

Regular maintenance and watering are essential in order to enjoy your surface for as long as possible. Continuity is important when it comes to maintenance: the more regularly you remove droppings and leaves from your riding surface, the healthier the surface, horses and riders will be. It is also essential to maintain the riding surface regularly with a suitable leveller. For an arena used frequently, the maintenance should take place ideally every day, but at least once a week. In addition, the surface should also be laser-levelled annually to even out any unevenness in the footing. When watering the riding surface, it is also important to make an effort regularly. You need to find a healthy balance so that the ground neither becomes too dry and dusty, nor too moist and deep. The right amount of water can’t be determined across the board, as it depends on individual factors such as location, composition of the ground, etc. To water your surface, you can either work comfortably with a sprinkler system or simply distribute the water by hand.

How badly your riding surface will be affected by cold temperatures depends on its surface layer. While surfaces that purely consist of sand tend to freeze quickly, surfaces that include aggregates such as wood fibre can withstand temperatures to -5°C before freezing. To still be able to use the arena and to minimize risks for horse and rider, first, the surface needs to be kept as evenly as possible, which ideally means one evens it out shortly before the broadcasted frost. Secondly, to keep the surface layer from freezing, magnesium chloride is a rather frequent choice. The salt is supposed to be mixed into the surface before the first frost and then re-applied throughout winter as needed. As a result, the riding surface should stay useable into colder temperatures. CAUTION: the salt’s dosage and distribution are set by the producers in order to ensure efficiency, environmental protection and equine health. It’s especially important to always properly clean the horse’s legs after riding on a surface infused with salt. Do consider the pros and cons of magnesium chloride before you decide to work with it and use common sense when dealing with a frozen riding surface. Then, your surface, your horses and yourself should hopefully weather the cold season well enough.

As a rule here in Germany, the construction of a riding arena is subject to authorization in accordance with the German Building Code (BauGB); and the legal requirements can vary depending on the federal state. Today, we will give you a brief overview– naturally, this cannot be a substitute for the advice of an expert. If your building project is located in an unplanned inner area, the so-called principle of integration of § 34 BauGB applies. If, on the other hand, you want to build in an outer area, as is often the case with riding stables, only so-called privileged projects are permitted under § 35 I BauGB. Without such licence, a total demolition can be demanded even after the project has been completed. In order for your arena to be considered a privileged building project, the legally standardised limits of development must be adhered to; and further criteria such as the status as agriculture (§ 201 BauGB) and economic necessity must be proven. Not every stable fulfils these requirements for privileged status. On principle, you can save yourself expensive mistakes in planning and construction if you or your drafters communicate transparently with the responsible building supervisory board from the outset and work together to reach a consensus that can be approved. A privileged project in an outer area is often a difficult and lengthy process for which you should seek expert help from the very beginning. However, once all the necessary licences have been granted and the construction has been completed, a new arena also offers you many opportunities as to remain competitive in the long term.