If you’ve ever spent the day working in the heat under the glare of full sun in the ‘dog days of summer’ then you know first hand how heat exhaustion and sunburn can creep up on you.
A small pavilion for observers of horse and rider in an arena
While the outdoor arena may not be in the shade and the rider and horse may have to work in the sun for an hour, it doesn't mean that instructors can't benefit from a shelter from the harmful rays of the sun.
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As a clinician I have certainly spent my fair share of time giving instruction to riders from the center of a dusty, hot arena baking myself to a crisp. I’ve also suffered with skin cancer. Possibly as a direct result.
Many of my equestrian colleagues have also experienced skin cancer, and it is a concern for all folks that work outside in the sun. Many equestrian clothing companies provide SPF protection for riders with specially treated fabrics and do a great job of helping athletes protect themselves from the ravages of exposure of the sun’s rays. That is an awesome help. But there are other ways you can help yourself and your family/friends and students.
Training and riding horses outdoors keeps them mentally fresh, and is to be embraced as part of a solid training regime for both horse and rider. While the outdoor arena may not be in the shade and the rider and horse may have to work in the sun for an hour, it doesn’t mean that instructors, auditors and other visitors can’t benefit from provision of a structure to shelter from the harmful rays of the sun.
The addition of a pavilion next to the arena is a simple way to provide a cool, comfortable space where folks can safely enjoy listening in and learning from others’ lessons. Parents of students, and all friends and family of the barn brigade will all enjoy the benefits a pavilion will provide. It can also be utilized for fundraising events, tack sales, barbeques and gatherings of all sorts.
Many horse show facilities, such as HITS in Saugerties, NY, have added freestanding pavilions to their showgrounds, placing them adjacent to warm up rings and competition arenas for the comfort of spectators. In addition to providing shelter from the sun, the structures also protect the attendees from summer rain showers. There are many ways to elevate your event show season with outdoor structures.
Historically, the classic pavilion structure was attached to a main building and was much used by royalty in the architectural design of palaces and mansions, such as the Chinese pavilions in the Forbidden City. Often pavilions were added to each end of a mansion to provide additional ornament to the building as seen in 18th Century British houses such as Houghton Hall. Pavilions were also designed as freestanding structures and were almost always used as places of pleasure for activities such as banquet dining and musical entertainment (hence the bandstands that we see today).
Pavilions come in all shapes, sizes, heights and designs, and their presence can add significant value both for aesthetic appeal and focal point in the outside setting. Their open sides offer a 360 degree view for the occupants, allow summer breezes to cool the shaded interior, and lessen the expenses of the building overall compared to a four sided structure. Additionally a pavilion can accommodate groups of all sizes, from small to large without the fixed boundaries of walls to preclude the gathering.
Elegant archways, decorative skirts and trim, and lined tongue and groove ceilings all add to the aesthetic appeal of a pavilion. Functional additions such as ceiling fans and lighting can further enhance the structure, and creative uses for relaxation can even include a hot tub or cooking station.
Construction materials used run the gamut and range from maintenance-free vinyl covered wood, to wood, stone and even marble. Pavilions can be purchased as a pre-fabricated kit. This ensures access is not a problem for the construction of the pavilion in hard to reach locations.
Selection from a myriad of styles and designs can be made online, shipped to your farm and quickly assembled onsite. The lumber members of the kit are precut and pre-drilled, making it a giant jigsaw that is easy to construct. All hardware and roof shingles should be included in the purchase price, you simply provide the tools and the labor.
A pavilion can be placed over level ground that is finished with gravel, stone or concrete or even just grass. Though grass is not an optimal choice, as it will quickly turn to dust with a high level of foot traffic.
Interior seating can be foldaway chairs, garden furniture such as durable polyvinyl or lightweight aluminum bleachers set inside.
The added value that a pavilion will provide for visitors to the horse farm or showground is well worth considering. The better the experience folks have visiting your farm, the more time they will want to spend participating in your events and lesson program. A pavilion can also provide a safe zone for children and others with less horse sense, and for those who are not comfortable standing at the rail and who would prefer to be seated.
This article is brought to you courtesy of Horizon Structures Inc., Atglen PA – Modular horse barn specialists. Horizon Structures also offers both residential and commercial kennels, coops, multi-use structures and playsets. Please visit https://www.HorizonStructures.com to learn more.
About Horizon Structures: One horse or twenty, there's one thing all horse owners have in common...the need to provide safe and secure shelter for their equine partners. At Horizon Structures, we combine expert craftsmanship, top-of-the-line materials and smart "horse-friendly" design to create a full line of sheds and barns that any horse owner can feel confident is the right choice for their horses' stabling needs.
All wood. Amish Made. Most of our buildings are shipped 100% pre-built and ready for same-day use. Larger barns are a modular construction and can be ready for your horses in less than a week. All our barn packages include everything you need -
Horizon Structures also sells indoor riding arenas, chicken coops, dog kennels, 1 and 2 car garages, storage sheds and outdoor living structures.
Headquartered in South-Central Pennsylvania, Horizon Structures, LLC is owned by Dave Zook. Dave was raised in the Amish tradition and grew up working in the family-owned shed business. He started Horizon Structures in 2001 in response to an ever-increasing customer demand for high quality, affordable horse barns.
For additional information about the company or their product line, please visit their website at https://www.horizonstructures.com
About Nikki Alvin-Smith: International published writer and creative content producer. Ghostwriting, blog services, PR/Marketing specialist. Nikki also produces catalog and website copy, white papers, e-books, corporate brochures, advertising copy, photography, videography for a wide range of businesses.
As a Brit who has called the America home for the past 35 years, Nikki brings a unique perspective to the equestrian world. Nikki is also an accomplished Grand Prix dressage trainer/competitor, competing at international level and is a highly sought clinician offering clinics worldwide. She has been a horse breeder/importer of warmblood and Iberian breeds for more than 25 years. Together with her husband Paul who is also a Grand Prix trainer, they run Willowview Hill Farm, a private dressage training operation in the beautiful Catskill Mountains of New York. Please visit https://nikkialvinsmithstudio.com/ to learn more about her affordable services.