Indoor arenas

Truth be told, my new indoor arena is probably going to look a lot like my old indoor arena. After all, I have the supplies and knowledge to make that again. Plus, I really liked it.

But also, I like research.

photo by Meredith Sanders

Especially the kind of research that is mostly looking at pictures.

photo by Darleen Stoddard

So I invited readers to send me their best indoor arena photos.

photo by Anna Rieck

The results covered the entire spectrum of indoor arenas, from cozy, little rings...

photo by Victoria Allred

to giant, palatial spaces.

the Grand Palais, Paris, France
photo by Tammi Palmarchuk

Tina DeCaussin writes: This is where I get to ride. I love putting first hoof prints in a freshly dragged arena.

Jess Oglesbee says: Once upon a time, I had an arena like this. Also, this photo is a selfie. I was holding the camera remote in my right hand!

Darleen Stoddard shared this picture she took at a Steffen Peters clinic last year, noting: Such a big, beautiful indoor dressage arena!

I pored over each photo, taking note of beams, doors, windows, mirrors and bleachers. 

photo by Amy Williams

I thought about how I could add those details to my arena. 

photo by Darleen Stoddard

I probably won't, of course, but it's still fun to think about.

photo by Christine Jordan

Thank you to everyone who participated in the research phase of this project. I loved looking at all of your arenas!