11/30/05: Arena Assembly Continues

Ever get into a project and find out that there is more involved than you originally thought? That's where I am with the outdoor arena. My initial plan was to simply press 5/8" rebar through the ends of each panel to add rigidity and stability to the long runs of panels. This is even what the manufacturer recommended along with setting a wood post every so often. Unfortunately I'm not happy with the result so I'm setting a post at three panel intervals in concrete and doing the rebar thing. I like the results but it will take much longer to assemble and will cost more. Also, I have purchased a load of treated 2x12x10s that will be attached with brackets at the bottom of each panel. This will not only make the arena safer but will also keep the sand in.

11/22/05: Arena Assembly

The arena panels arrived Saturday on schedule. Heather, Nikki, Chance, and I began the assembling late Saturday afternoon and continued half of the day on Sunday. Things are taking shape...

They have no idea what their future holds...

11/16/05: More Arena Pics + Excavation Site Pics

Many, many loads of sand...

11/15/05: Arena Pad Nearing Completion

The contractors have been working at a furious rate to get the dirt excavated from the back of our pond and moved to arena pad location where it is spread and compacted. For the last day or so, they have moved on to topping the pad off with sand for the arena surface. The arena pad, compaction, and sand surfacing should be completed today. The arena panels, chute, etc will arrive Saturday. We will hopefully be able to assemble all that mess over the weekend.

11/8/05: Arena On Order

I finally made the decision to go with a galvanized prefabricated arena rather than the powder coat. Our ranch is too close to the gulf to not go with the galvanized option. All the arena stuff should arrive on November 19th. The arena should be totally assembled and in place by Thanksgiving.

11/7/05: San Peppy Perfection Foal Travelling Back to Colorado

Rick and Robin came down from Colorado on Sunday to pick up the blue roan foal of San Peppy Perfection. Representatives from the Hale ranch outside Corpus Christi also trekked to our ranch to pick up horses that had travelled down from Colorado with Rick and Robin. All transfers were made and everyone departed Sunday afternoon. Best of luck to everyone and their new prospects.

11/6/05: Longhorns for Ropin' and Cuttin'

Picked up three longhorns for roping and cutting practice at the Rosharon sale barn. I expect to be purchasing more when the arena is completed. Right now they are in quarantine.

11/5/05: D-Talk Playday

Congratulation to our ranch hand Nikki for winning the high point belt buckle in the 14 - 16 year old age class at the D-Talk Ranch Playday. Nikki was riding her 9 year old quarter horse mare Peppy.

11/3/05: New 33,600 Square Foot Outdoor Arena

We have reached an agreement with contractors to install a 140' x 240' outdoor riding arena. This facility will be situated in front of (and perpendicular to) our existing 10, 000 square foot covered arena.The pad will be built up to the same height as the covered arena and will require approximately 160 loads of dirt (12 to 14 cubic yards each) and 60 loads of sand. We are presently evaluating prefabricated arena panel packages that come complete with roping box, chutes, and cattle return. A trackhoe is onsite and will be removing all dirt from the back side of our 3.5 acre pond.