by Chisholm » Thu Oct 20, 2005 7:58 pm
#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Well let me tell you the story of the arena at my barn.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#This arena was built 25 years ago, and the people ran a riding school and bred Canadians for combined driving.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#So they were not much on arena maintaince. So basically the arena was well used for nearly 20 years by school and boarders. When they first built the arena they put down crank case oil, major enviromental hazard now, don't test the soil at this place.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#So then 5 or more years of very little use. And they store farm machinery and buggies in one end. Still do!#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#So then in January I came along, decided to board there since it was so close to home.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Well of course then I wanted the arena fixed up. Well in the spring it was cultivated and harrow once, that was fine. But the footing was very dry, soft and extremely dusty. So I was reading on here about oiling of arenas and Da Lee Oiling company. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#So this summer it all began. First the supports where redone since the arena was starting to fall down, they had planned to do that anyway.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Then I got a hold of an ATV and started harrowing. Then arranged for Oil to come.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Well with the oil coming we started moving some stuff around to make it tidier at the one end. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Oh and i nearly forgot, I brought a high power pressure washer in and spent 3 hours washing down all the walls, they were disgusting.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#So then today was the BIG day, the oil came. Well WOW, does the arena ever look good, I'm sure the best it ever looked. Can't wait to ride on it tomorrow. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Can't believe how exciting it is to get oil, do I need a life or what.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#And because I am in charge of arena maintaince I will stay on top of it weekly to keep in this shape. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Just had to share.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#