● FOOTING ACADEMIES
Programs & Events / Footing AcademiesHands-on training for better footing and safer events.
The League’s Footing Academies help facility managers, operators, and event professionals better understand arena footing, maintenance, equipment, and the conditions that shape safe, successful events.
● WHY ATTEND
Better footing starts with better understanding.
Arena footing affects safety, performance, maintenance, and the overall event experience. The League’s Footing Academies give attendees a comprehensive overview of footing through classroom education, arena time, equipment discussion, and practical instruction from experienced industry professionals.
Attendees learn how to think through soil essentials, arena conditions, moisture and dust control, indoor and outdoor environments, synthetic footing, and the maintenance decisions that keep arenas performing at a higher level.
● ACADEMY OPTIONS
Choose the training level that fits your experience.
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FA101: Introduction to Footing
FA101 provides a practical foundation in proper arena footing and required maintenance. The course is suitable for a wide range of attendees, whether you are new to footing or already experienced in arena care.
Participants can expect classroom learning, arena time, and up-close discussion of maintenance equipment such as tractors, drags, watering systems, and related tools.
Best for: Facility managers, arena staff, operations teams, event professionals, and anyone responsible for understanding or maintaining arena surfaces.
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FA301: Advanced Footing
FA301 is a high-level, hands-on training course for qualified applicants who are ready to deepen their footing knowledge and work toward advanced standards in equine arena maintenance.
To support more focused instruction, enrollment is limited and participants must meet prerequisites before being accepted into the course.
Best for: Experienced facility professionals, arena maintenance teams, and approved applicants with prior Footing Academy experience.
● WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
Practical knowledge you can bring back to your facility.
Participants learn through a mix of instruction, discussion, arena observation, equipment review, and real-world problem-solving.
Topics may include:
Soil essentials and arena conditions
Moisture, dust control, and maintenance planning
Indoor and outdoor footing considerations
Synthetic footing and arena additives
Equipment, drags, tractors, and watering systems
Safety, performance, and event-readiness
Peer discussion with facility professionals from across the industry
● WHO SHOULD ATTEND
Built for the people responsible for the surface.
Footing Academies are designed for facility managers, arena staff, operators, event professionals, and team members responsible for maintaining safer, stronger, and more consistent arena surfaces.
PARTICIPANT EXPERIENCE
I wanted to personally thank you for the time, depth, and practical insight you shared during the Winter Footing Academy. The way you connected footing theory, equipment selection, and real-world operations, especially for multi-use facilities, was incredibly valuable and immediately applicable.
Armando Tamayo, Jr. Parks Recreational Supervisor, Dianne Jacob Lakeside Equestrian Park
2026 Winter FA101 Attendee
Find the next Footing Academy.
View upcoming academy dates, locations, registration details, and application information through The League’s event portal.