Hickstead Arena

The challenges

Having been subject to extreme rainfall in recent years, the Hickstead course had been placed under stress prior to and during key events. With Hickstead’s impeccable reputation to uphold, and in order to meet the high expectations demanded by riders, the surface would require a complete reconstruction to address concerns regarding the course footing. The Bunn family appointed STRI in 2009 to manage and deliver both the tournament preparation of the course and reconstruction of the arena.

Reconstruction of the arena was not feasible prior to events scheduled for 2010 and, as such, STRI provided agronomic assistance to enable successful delivery during this period. A blueprint for future works was established and the timing and speed of operations was critical.

The objectives

• To undertake feasibility and inception studies to provide short, medium and long term objectives for the arena.
• Provide consultancy throughout Hickstead’s keyevents in 2010.
• To utilise STRI’s full range of equestrian services from maintenance practices, event preparation and performance testing, through to project planning and implementation.
• To ensure the establishment of a safe and durable surface to protect both riders and horses from injury.

The solutions

Work on the project commenced in November 2009, with STRI conducting an inception study to look at the ground conditions, identify the key performance and limitations of the surface and offer a long-term solution to meet Hickstead’s design brief. STRI examined in detail the performance of existing grass cover, top and subsoil types, current drainage systems and the existing irrigation system. From these investigations, it was determined that the existing clay loam soil types tend to be soft and unstable under excessive moisture content. Existing drainage was insufficient to deal with intermittent heavy rainfall and pipe drainage systems were unable to provide the uniform footing required.

Surface stripping

Prior to reconstruction, STRI provided agronomic assistance for the Hickstead Derby and Royal International Horse Show, which took place over a 10-day period in 2010. Clear performance targets were set by using objective measuring tools specifically designed by STRI for equestrian surfaces. Existing performance was established by testing surface traction, surface firmness and soil moisture levels. Renovation was carried out in the spring to provide a short-term solution to enable the surface to withstand rainfall and provide suitable footing. This was achieved by providing a sand carpet layer over the surface and improving the existing soil structure. During the tournaments, a winter, spring and summer maintenance programme was developed and managed by STRI to maximise drainage potential, whilst daily performance testing was carried out.

View from the stand

Having benchmarked performance across the course throughout the duration of the tournaments, clear objectives and targets had been set for surface quality and footing. STRI recommended that a ‘Second Generation Gravel Carpet’ construction would be an appropriate solution. Materials were sourced and detailed specifications and technical designs were created, along with a tender to find a suitable contractor. Several types of material were assessed by STRI’s specialists and in-house laboratory testing. Various profile types and materials were assessed, and once these were sourced, the project was put out to tender. Having worked with CRL previously for the successful installation of the RDS arena, STRI was assured when the contractor was appointed by Hickstead to deliver the new surface.

Sky tv installations

There was a short period of 40 days to complete the works between August, when major events had finished, and September when the surface would need to be seeded as outlined in the STRI project specification. CRL project staff, along with machinery, moved onto site while the international show marquees were dismantled. During the first week, 2,700 m3 of topsoil was stripped and 1,500 m3 of subsoil material was stripped, cut and filled. Laser-guided technology was used to begin shaping the subgrade. Work concentrated over the following two weeks on drainage and gravel and blinding layers. Sky TV ducting was installed into the subgrade, along with 2,200 m of trench drainage and 18,000 m2 of geo-fabric textile. The gravel carpet layer was spread and dozer graded and final grading was completed along with the installation of blinding sand. Week four concentrated on the replacement of 2,700 m3 of topsoil and 18,000 m of gravel bands were installed. Sand amelioration and finishing works were completed during week five, and the seedbed was prepared once the soil profile quality had been signed off by STRI.

The results

• Successful establishment of the new arena, completed within budgeted costs and to tight timescales.
• STRI provided sports turf maintenance training to staff at Hickstead to ensure short and long-term success of new surface.
• Hickstead retained its reputation as one of the world’s premier gold standard show jumping venues, with the legendary American showjumping Chef D’equipe, George Morris, describing the newly reconstructed surface as a “magic carpet”.
• STRI continues to work with the Hickstead team to ensure quality surfaces are produced for 2011 onwards.