Your own arena only becomes truly usable with letters along the edge, a few blocks for groundwork and a sturdy mounting block. On this page you will find dressage letters, cavaletti and jump blocks, mounting blocks and writing boards for the stable or arena.
Letters and boards
The Dressage manege letters are a set of eight letters (A, K, E, H, C, M, B and F) measuring 30 x 20 cm. These are the letters along the edge of a 20 x 40 metre arena. If you ride in a 20 x 60 metre arena, four more letters are added along the long sides. For jump letters and numbers there is the Show Jump holder: conical, stackable and 13 cm high. Writing boards of 11 x 13 and 20 x 27 cm are used for a lesson schedule or a stable board.
Blocks for groundwork and jumping
- Vplast Cavaletti jump blocks: in pairs, 40 x 30 x 15 cm, in four colours. You place them flat, on their side or upright, so you can set a pole at three heights.
- Excellent Horse Cube: a single 770-gram jump block, stackable and resistant to frost and sun.
Light blocks are easy to move, but a horse that hits a pole also pushes them away more easily. For exercises at low height, that is usually an advantage.
Mounting without pulling
Mounting from the ground easily pulls the saddle crooked. The Vplast Opstap en zit has one step 41 cm high and a maximum load of 95 kg; instructors also use it as a stool. The Excellent Horse 3-Step Mounting Block can be used with two or three steps and has a non-slip surface.
Points to note
Always place a mounting block on a level, firm surface. Do not leave blocks and poles on the track after training. Plastic blocks can stay outside, but last longer if you put them away after the season.
More for yourself as a rider is in rider equipment, including riding gloves and riding socks. For the rest of stable and field, see stable and field.
Frequently asked questions
Which letters are in a dressage arena?
In a 20 x 40 metre arena, A, K, E, H, C, M, B and F are placed along the edge. A 20 x 60 metre arena also has four more letters on the long sides.
How high can you build with cavaletti blocks?
The 40 x 30 x 15 cm Vplast blocks give three heights, depending on whether you place them flat, on their side or upright.
Is a mounting block with one or three steps more practical?
One step is compact and also serves as a seat. Three steps help with a big horse or a smaller rider.