HHP, IDS, and IEA Collaborate to Improve Dressage Complex Footing

The Indiana Dressage Society has had a keen interest in good stewardship of the Hoosier Horse Park since some of our members were integral in its creation as a host facility for equestrian sports prior to the 1987 Pan Am Games.

A joint effort between Johnson County Parks (owners of the Hoosier Horse Park), the Indiana Dressage Society (IDS), and the Indiana Eventing Association (IEA) secured the funding for a $35,000.00 dressage complex footing overhaul this spring. The project scope entailed stripping back the footing in the two upper arenas, laser leveling the base to ensure proper drainage, adding new sand, and GGT textile.

 

 

The grading was complete and new sand added in time for the Heartland Region Pony Club Combined Test and Dressage Show on April 23rd. Feedback was unanimously positive. But the project wasn’t yet complete. The week after the Combined Test, the Horse Park staff went back to work installing and mixing 4000lbs of additional GGT textile footing additive to provide even better cushion and moisture retention.

 

The finished product was ready for IDS May Schooling Show, and mother nature quickly offered a test as storms rolled through and dumped a couple inches of rain in the 24 hours leading up to the arrival of competitors. In previous years, rain like that would create LARGE pools of water, but the new graded arena bases did their jobs well and shed excess water quickly. By Saturday morning the arenas were nearly perfect with an ideal mix of stability and cushion for a wonderful 3-ring dressage show.

The Indiana Dressage Society would like to again thank the Johnson County Parks Department, the Hoosier Horse Park staff, and the Indiana Eventing Association for helping us accomplish this major improvement that will benefit everyone for years to come!