Tired of booking arena slots weeks in advance? Frustrated by cancellations when the weather turns? At Royal Arenas, we regularly chat with horse owners across Meath, Kildare, and Dublin who are weighing up the costs of building versus renting. The numbers might surprise you.
The Reality of Renting
Arena hire typically costs €15-30 per hour in our area. Sounds reasonable? Let’s do the maths. If you ride three times weekly, that’s €2,340-4,680 annually. Add travel costs, fuel, and your time, and suddenly those rental fees look expensive.
Factor in the frustrations too. Booked sessions get cancelled. Weather affects availability. Peak times are impossible to secure. You’re paying premium rates but getting limited flexibility.
Breaking Even Point
A quality arena construction project typically pays for itself within 5-8 years compared to ongoing rental costs. That’s assuming moderate usage. Heavy users see payback much faster.
But here’s what rental costs don’t account for: the convenience factor. Training whenever you want, multiple horses worked efficiently, no travel time. These benefits have real value that’s hard to quantify.
Property Value Boost
A well-constructed arena adds significant value to your property. Estate agents regularly tell us that good equestrian facilities can increase property values by €30,000-80,000, depending on the property and location. Your arena isn’t just a training facility; it’s an investment in your property’s future.
Hidden Savings
Own your arena and you control maintenance timing and costs. No more paying premium rates during busy periods. You can optimise your horse’s training schedule around their needs, not facility availability.
Consider multiple horses too. Rental costs multiply with each additional horse, but arena construction costs stay the same.
Commercial Opportunities
Many private arena owners offset costs through occasional hire to other riders. Even modest rental income can significantly improve your return on investment.
Long-term Perspective
Rental fees increase yearly, but your arena construction cost is fixed. Over 15-20 years, the financial benefits become overwhelming. Plus, you get decades of convenient, flexible training.
At Royal Arenas, we’ve helped numerous clients make this transition. Most tell us they wish they’d built sooner. The financial benefits are compelling, but the lifestyle improvements are priceless.
Ready to explore the numbers for your situation? Contact Royal Arenas today to discuss how arena ownership could transform both your finances and your riding experience.
