RespiteFarm

The dressage arena is progressing. As posted earlier, work has resumed on the site.

Davis Excavating and Repairs has completed the clearing and excavating on the site. They had a lot of dirt to move from cutting into a downslope and moving the dirt to the opposite end of the arena to build it up to a four-foot height before levelling and compacting the entire surface. They did a great job and come highly recommended if you need any excavation, driveways, etc. done. Call Kenny at 804-690-2536 or 804-347-3264.

They also helped by installing landscape fabric and spreading two dumptruck loads of mulch over the hillsides before the rain started – very thankful for that extra effort.

The last two dumptrucks of mulch were spread a few days later by Laura and me.

Additional landscape fabric was spread in the drainage ditches to cut down the amount of inevitable silt that will build up over time.

What remains to be done is a thorough drying of the pad with the assistance of a cooperative Mother Nature, and the laying of four to six inches of granite dust to cover the entire pad. That will give Laura a rideable surface to train Bella at her dressage movements. It will also allow Laura to train other horses as well.

After about a year, a final riding surface of specialized sand will be used to cover the entire arena.

Following are videos and some photos of the process.

First cutting of trees for dressage arena

Second cutting of trees for dressage arena

Burning of cut trees for dressage arena space

Excavation of the dressage arena space.

Views of the dressage arena:

March 6, 2013 blizzard. Snowed all day – a very wet snow, thankfully, otherwise it would have been at least a foot deep. Lost power for 48 hours as a result.