Our Surfaces
At Mark Scott Arenas, we offer a carefully developed range of equestrian riding surfaces to suit all disciplines, levels of use, and budgets. From our premium MSA Fibre-wax surface (blended with high-grade Equisand, synthetic fibre, and wax in a controlled environment) to our cost-effective, site-mixed MSA Fibremix, each option is designed for optimum performance, durability, and rideability. We also supply traditional sand and rubber surfaces, as well as top-ups to maintain consistency over time. Whether you require a surface for light domestic use or high-intensity professional training, we’ll recommend and install the most suitable solution to help you and your horse perform at your best.
MSA Fibremix
This surface combination is becoming increasingly popular in many yards. However, we do not recommend routine lunging on this surface.
Its cost is comparable to sand and rubber, although sand and rubber has proven to be a less effective combination in the South East, where even the best Equisands available tend to underperform when used with rubber chip.
Our Fibremix surface is robust at a 150mm depth and is easy to maintain using our MSA HD Arena Groom.
Limited lunging is achievable.
Surface guide price (ex works): only £14.50 per sq m.
The fibres within the surface retain moisture effectively, providing insulation and cushioning.
Our Sub-Surface Irrigation Package
This surface will benefit from irrigation during dry summer months. We recommend the economical installation of our sub-surface porous pipe system, typically installed during the initial arena construction.
The system uses mains pressure only, no tanks or pumps required. Moisture is absorbed from the porous water pipes beneath the surface via capillary action, significantly reducing evaporation.
Irrigation system guide price: £5 per sq m.
MSA Fibre-wax
This is our premium waxed surface, specifically designed for outdoor use. It is produced using our Fibretek fibres mixed with high-quality Equisand, with Moulton wax added in a controlled mixing environment. Our unique blend data ensures absolute consistency in every batch.
Laid at a depth of 150mm, this surface offers the stability and consistency needed to remain durable throughout all seasons. It is particularly well suited to lunging and free-reining pursuits.
We can tailor this blend to your preference—either to remain firm or slightly looser to allow more give, which helps reduce joint concussion.
Surface-only guide price (ex works): £27.50 per sq m.
For indoor arenas and high-intensity lunging, we recommend a higher wax and fibre content. Details available on request.
MSA Fibretek
This premium mid-length, completely dry synthetic fibre by-product is designed to create structure and retain moisture in both new and existing surfaces.
Many sand-based surfaces can become tired over time and may ride too deep, especially in dry conditions. Our Fibretek bales offer an effective solution. When applied at just over 3 kg per square metre and evenly spread, followed by incorporation using our tractor-mounted machinery, we can transform your surface—blending the fibres into the sand to create a moisture-retentive, durable, and high-performing riding surface.
Fibre supply only: £2.05 per sq m + VAT
Installed guide price: From £8.00 per sq m (includes initial levelling and surface preparation)
Key Benefits:
- 100% synthetic – completely non-organic and will not rot
- 0% moisture content – you’re not paying for water
- Excellent drainage while retaining moisture
- Provides a firmer, more stable ride thanks to the root-like structure of the optimally chopped fibres
- Delivers higher energy return for improved performance
- Requires significantly less maintenance than traditional sand and rubber surfaces
After
This is the same PVC surface after being professionally revitalised by our team, using MSA Fibretek Fibres. The result is a consistent, firm riding platform that retains moisture and provides superior stability, leaving our customer delighted with the transformation.
Before
This was a deep-going PVC surface that had become inconsistent and difficult to ride on, particularly in dry conditions. The surface lacked firmness, offering little support or energy return, and was in need of professional attention.
MC Activ-track
We are proud to promote and install Martin Collins pre-mixed surfaces, renowned for their performance and reliability.
One of the most popular waxed surfaces for professional yards, these surfaces offer lower maintenance requirements and exceptional durability.
Surface guide price (ex works): £33.80 per sq m + VAT.
This well-known and respected brand provides a range of surfaces tailored to suit all disciplines.
MC Ecotrack (Wax-Coated Surface)
MC Ecotrack is Martin Collins’ premier surface—developed for racing, training, polo, show jumping, dressage, and lunging. It’s a truly multi-purpose, high-quality wax-coated surface, available as supply-only or with our full design and installation service.
Key Benefits of Ecotrack:
- Instantly ready to use after installation
- No watering required
- 100% dust-free
- Sure-footed performance
- Minimal kickback
- Highly frost-resistant
- Long-lasting durability
- Low maintenance
All guide prices are subject to VAT.
Lunge Pen Surface
The ideal surface for a lunge pen is a waxed surface, laid over a drainage bed and membrane to a minimum depth of 180mm. This ensures durability, moisture retention, and consistent performance.
Dry sand-based surfaces with synthetic additives can also be used, but these require increased depth and higher levels of maintenance to maintain their effectiveness.
Lunge Pens
We recommend that in-hand schooling is carried out in dedicated Lunge Pens, helping to preserve Riding Arena surfaces for their intended use: mounted riding activities.
Guide cost: approximately £62 per sq m + VAT
(based on a waxed surface and 3-rail fenced enclosure, minimum 18m diameter)
Surface Top-Ups
Scottrack 25mm Rubber Chip
An excellent synthetic topping offering insulation from sun and frost, while also providing good cushioning and surface stabilisation. Guide price: approx. £2.50 per sq m (based on 20 tonnes of new arena topping), or £1.25 per sq m for top-ups — all prices + VAT.
Mixing Plant
Our dedicated mixing plant in East Sussex produces the professional-grade, pre-mixed surface blends we supply. This controlled environment ensures consistency, performance, and quality across all our surface products.
Client Testimonials
“The school is amazing and riding really well. Liam is over the moon with it and his dressage horse has come on in leaps and bounds through having a proper surface to ride on. He is now competing at medium level. We haven’t jumped on it yet but hopefully will soon (planning to paint the jumps over Christmas). The horses have settled in really well and seem far more relaxed here than in their last place. Thank you for providing us with such a brilliant school.”
“If anyone would like to come and see our arena it is riding really well and I would be happy to show anyone the excellent results of your work. It has made a huge difference to our lives, especially after such a shocking winter.”
“I just wanted to thank you very much for your idea re turning the area of rubble into a hard standing area. I had not appreciated quite how bad the paddocks would get here and it has been a real godsend in that it has enabled us to give the horses some turn out over the winter months. It has held out well considering the use it’s had. I also love the muck heap and the local farmer was very impressed with the set up in that it is easy for him to access and bring the trailer close up to.”
“Our school is fantastic and so I would like to say a huge thank you. After one of the wettest winters and not a drop of water on our surface I will certainly be recommending Mark Scott Arenas. Thank you for all the hard work.”
“Demolition of commercial dog kennels, replaced with new Stables and Yard, new adjoining Arena. Again, thank you for a great job. It was a pleasure working with someone that is fair and straightforward.”
“the arena exceeded our expectations and there was not one puddle or even damp bit of the ménage throughout the whole of the 2013/2014 winter!! Looking at the fields around it gave us some idea of what it was coping with.”
“I just wanted to write and thank you for your very courteous and professional consultation. It is a matter of considerable regret that we are not in a position to proceed with the improvements at present, but we were very impressed by your expertise and honest assessment. Thank you for your time and for your advice.”
“I just wanted to let you know that despite the horrible wet winter the arena has held up really well. The hard standing next to it has had water pooled on it and a ‘river’ running across it with water draining from my neighbour’s field, but the school has been absolutely fine. This despite the heavy clay that it is sitting on. Nor did it freeze during the cold weather over the past few days. A happy customer!”
