What would you choose - a covered arena or a swimming pool?

Riding in the Careys’ covered arena is a delight, with protection from the elements and amazing airflow!

What would you choose – a covered arena or a swimming pool?

By Equestrian Life

When Tracey and Ian Carey moved to their 230 acre property near Young NSW in 2017, building a covered arena was at the top of their priority list! For Tracey, who is an avid rider and clinician, their purpose built arena has been a dream come true.

“At our last property, we ran clinics that were sometimes cancelled due to rain, and in bad weather people would sometimes pull out, so we wanted to make sure we had an arena we could enjoy all year round at our new property,” Tracey explains. “At our last place, we put in a swimming pool but found we hardly ever used it, so choosing a covered arena instead has been great as we use it every day!”

Just as a swimming pool is relished during hot summer months, so too is a covered riding arena. The Careys’ 40m x 21m arena, designed and built by ABC Sheds, not only provides protection and shade on sunny days, it has wonderful airflow due to the 5.5m height of the roof and open sides. Tracey is currently training two young horses which she plans to campaign in Ranch Riding and Campdrafting, and has found that having such an enjoyable, protected space to ride in has helped ensure that her horses’ progress has been uninterrupted. “We don’t miss days because the surface is too wet or slippery, or it’s too hot!”

When choosing a company to build their covered arena, Ian and Tracey were happy to hear others’ recommendations. At a Ranch Sorting day in Grenfell that they attended shortly after moving to Young, a fellow participant recommended ABC Sheds and the Careys didn’t look back. “ABC Sheds were so easy to work with and the covered arena was built so quickly!” Tracey explained. Like the Careys, ABC Sheds are Young based, however they work with clients all around Australia.

After an initial site visit, the ABC Sheds team listened carefully to the Careys’ ideas and needs and provided advice about the layout and location of the covered arena. As Tracey explains, the Careys enjoy a beautiful view of their property from the house – ensuring this view wasn’t interrupted by a large roof structure was a key consideration ABC Sheds worked with when designing their arena. “The roof is extra high, so you can see right through the sides from the house, and still enjoy the view – and the added benefit is that it’s lovely to have great airflow when you’re riding.”

The extra height of the arena roof allowed the Careys to retain a spectacular view from their home

Soon after the Careys moved to their Young property, drought descended on the district. One of the many challenges drought presented was the strain it put on their stock water supply, with bores struggling to keep up with their animals’ needs. For the Careys, who run a cattle stud TLC Simmentals, this was potentially disastrous. Fortunately they had chosen to install two 45,000L water tanks adjacent to the arena, utilising the vast roof to capture rain water. Just two inches of rain is enough to fill them, and ensure that there is a back up water supply if the bore runs dry!

Two 45,000L tanks collect water from the arena roof – 2 inches is enough to fill them!

Water security is not the only benefit their covered arena has provided for their cattle breeding enterprise. During Beef Week in 2019, it was used for a bull sale, ensuring that animals and humans alike could enjoy the event in a protected environment.

The arena was a handy setting during Beef Week!

Looking forward, the Careys have peace of mind knowing that their covered arena is built to last, and plan to continue enjoying it on a daily basis whilst also using the arena to host Team Penning, Team Sorting and Learn to Ride clinics. As Tracey explains, a Penning or Sorting clinic involves around 30 head of cattle, and this was problematic during the peak of the drought. Both Team Penning and Sorting are family friendly, enjoyable team sports, and with drought conditions now easing it’s highly likely that the Careys will be able to share their amazing riding facility with fellow enthusiasts!

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