If you would like a cheap riding arena you can build in just one week, then read on...

An average riding arena would cost between £15,000 and £25,000, which is well outside my budget. However, I've managed to build a menage for just under £3,000!!!

To be fair, there are a few good reasons why I managed to build a riding arena in just one week for just £3,000.

Firstly, I've got good access from the road. The lorry's and diggers only had to drive a few metres from the road to get to the site - easy access does reduce costs.

Secondly, my field is relatively level. This also reduces costs, as again, it's easier for the manoeuvring of machinery on the site, but it also, crucially means that less digging is required to get a level menage.

Thirdly and most important of all, is that my field is made up of sandy soil and it's a naturally well drained area. Because of this and due to my very limited budget, I decided to go for it and build a cheap riding arena without using a membrane or any drainage!

Many people would say that I was mad and I agree, if money were not so tight, I absolutely agree that drainage, hardcore, membrane and modern, specialist surface are essential. However, without that kind of budget, I decided that if I got an 20m x 40m area dug out, levelled and then put 4 inches of sand on top, it would be far better than the rutted ground that gets slippy when wet and rock hard in the summer!

I found a local company to dig out the area and they charged £400 per day. They took just under 2 days to dig out the arena, included moving the mountain of soil that came out. They then took just half a day to level the sand once that was delivered.

I also found a local sand merchant who gave me samples of different types of sand. I chose river sand due to it being better draining than some forms of sand that contain clay. The sand cost £1,800.

I managed to source some second hand scaffold boards which cost just £150. So at the end of day 2, when all of the soil was removed, I placed the scaffold boards around the arena and kept them in place with small wooden pegs. When the sand was delivered (on day 3) and levelled, the boards were held more firmly in place by the sand.

The arena has worked a treat, even with all of the heavy rain we've had recently. I'm so pleased I went for it because having been completed at the end of September, I've used it regularly every week and with regular harrowing I hope to have many happy seasons of riding in it ahead!