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Three Runs Shines
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THREE RUNS SHINES
The jumping and dressage arenas at Three Runs Plantation were really put to the test during the first week of the 2009 United States Equestrian Federation's training sessions. Captain Mark Phillips, the team's chef d'equipe, was scheduled to school riders on the flat and over fences on Thursday, February 19. There was also a catered VIP brunch planned to coincide with the sessions, which would serve to introduce the public to the facility and give the rider's a little exposure.
On Wednesday evening, however, a strong storm blew in, bringing with it torrential rains and high winds. As much as three inches of water fell on the facility over the space of just a few hours. A cold front swept away the clouds by dawn on Thursday, leaving the day bright but cold. Many observers wondered if the footing would hold up, or if the riders would struggle with difficult conditions.
It turned out there was no need to worry. In an effort to ensure that the riding amenities at Three Runs would be second to none, developer Wayne Raiford had taken special care with the footing. The riding arenas have a six-inch sand and clay base, with four inches of granite screening for a top layer. A four-inch center crown that levels out to the corners and sides of each arena ensures that water will not form puddles anywhere. An additional network of drainage pipes, protected by screens and gravel, shunts water away from the surface.
Everything worked perfectly. Neither riders nor spectators (and there were a lot of them)would have known that it poured the night before there was not a drop of water to be seen and not a hint of erosion either. The jumps in the show-jumping arena were bright and colorful, the footing in the dressage arena was level and smooth, and if only the wind would have stopped blowing, it would have been a picture perfect day.
Click here to view a PDF version of the entire article on the USEF Training Sessions from the April/May issue of The Aiken Horse
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