By Phelps Media Group, Inc.
The Hilltop rings project, an effort to memorialize former president of the Virginia Horse Shows Association and former head coach of the Hollins riding team Sandy Gerald, has been completed to debut during the Lexington Spring Series. The Virginia Horse Center has refitted Arena B and the adjacent schooling Arena A with new Kruse Cushion Ride (KCR) footing to improve the showing experience for both horse and rider.
Respected horseman and course designer Allen Rheinheimer of Zionsville, Indiana, was brought in to complete the upgrades which included resurfacing the 160′ x 230′ arena and 96′ x 250′ schooling arena with U.S. manufactured KCR footing, re-grading, and reshaping the base for drainage. Located next to the Hill Top Campground and Community Park Pavilion, both rings were previously composed of a bluestone base and natural sand.
Rheinheimer is regarded as a U.S. based FEI footing expert. “We even have KCR in my wife, Cathy’s, outdoor and indoor arenas and, believe me, if it wasn’t a great product, I would definitely hear the negatives,” he said. “Kruse Cushion Ride doesn’t need to be mixed with finer sands that make footing pack, and it is really the perfect blend for the more seasoned, older horses.”
Roanoke Equestrian 