Location:  Hudsonville, Michigan

Application:  Indoor Riding Arena

Building Size:  80' wide x 230' long

Fabric Covered Building Riding Arenas - Ideal Environment for Riding Horses

Horse enthusiasts and high school students can be found riding on the pastures at Lori DeHaan's 20-acre ranch in Hudsonville, Michigan. DeHaan's tension fabric riding arena has been the center of attention on her property since its installation two years ago. "We really, really like it 'cause it is large, airy and bright. Most of the time we don't need lights on," says DeHaan.

DeHaan enjoys opening up her indoor riding arena to the local equine community. "We've had the local High School Equestrian team practicing here for four or five years," says DeHaan. This  buildings unique sound dampening effect has had a positive impact on coaching. "When there's a group in here, the coach can stand in the middle of the fabric riding arena and just speak in a normal voice and all the kids can hear her talking."

The riding arenas clear-span interior has allowed DeHaan to park her truck, horse trailer, and carriage inside without any difficulty. "It all fits in here just nice. We can load our stuff in the horse trailer in the weather. We appreciate that a lot. Some days you want to leave and it's stormy." DeHaan is also impressed with the fabric riding arenas ability to withstand the adverse an often times, unpredictable weather elements in Michigan. The high-performance fabric cover is strong enough to keep out Michigan's snow, rain, and high winds. "Some days we open all the doors of the riding arena and we can come in and out of the arena if it gets a little warm or the weather changes on us."

DeHaan's riding arena can be identified by its colored fabric. "We went with colors. All around is the blue color about half way up.

And on each end we have the color." Looking beyond the practical applications of a riding arena, DeHaan has big plans for her fabric building." In the front of the barn we have a cemented area where some day we'll build a viewing room'. Not only has DeHaan used her fabric building as a riding arena, but the Hudsonville Graduation Open House was held here and "it worked really good," commends DeHaan. "If we ever wanted to rent it out like a reception facility, it would be ready for that."

Giving riders the ability to practice and ride without constraints is important to DeHaan. "People are just thrilled that they can come in and out of the fabric riding arena. They're not used to having an arena, so this is a great treat," says DeHaan