FEI Arena Dimensions: What Course Designers Need to Know

Before you place a single fence, the arena footprint sets the ceiling on what you can build. FEI Jumping Rules specify minimum dimensions that vary by competition level and whether the arena is indoor or outdoor.

Outdoor minimums

For most outdoor FEI competitions, the arena must be at least 40 m wide × 60 m long. Championship and Nations Cup tracks often use larger footprints — 50 × 70 m or more — to give course designers room for wider turns and longer related distances.

Indoor considerations

Indoor arenas are frequently shorter. Course designers compensate with tighter lines, fewer long galloping stretches, and more technical combinations. Always confirm the published dimensions for your venue before finalising a plan.

Why it matters for design

Related distances need straight approaches; a narrow arena forces angled lines that shorten effective stride counts.
Combinations require landing room after the final element before the turn to the next fence.
Water and liverpools need approach run — squeezing them against a short side creates safety and rideability problems.

Mapping your arena

Walking the perimeter with GPS (or entering measured width and length in a design tool) beats guessing from satellite imagery. Mark the ingate, judges' box, and any permanent wings or walls — they constrain where fences can sit.

Quick reference

| Setting | Typical minimum | |---------|-----------------| | Outdoor CSI 1–3 | 40 × 60 m | | Outdoor CSI 4–5 | 45 × 65 m+ | | Indoor | Venue-specific; often 40 × 60 m or less |

Design within the real footprint, validate distances against your rule set, and you avoid the expensive surprise of rebuilding on competition morning.