HIT Active Aqua at Bow House Equestrian

Introduction to Bow House Equestrian

Bow House Equestrian in Shropshire is a competition, livery and hire venue where surface quality is not a nice-to-have - it directly affects the horses that train there, the riders that hire the arena, and the reputation of the yard. Before HIT Active-Aqua was installed in 2022, JP Daker was running an overhead sprinkler system that demanded up to eight hours of irrigation daily and still could not deliver a consistent surface. Dry patches formed in some areas while others were overwatered, and with horses jumping and working at speed, that inconsistency was a real safety concern.

This is the story of what changed when Jelka installed HIT Active-Aqua at Bow House - and what it has meant for the horses, the riders and the running of the yard.

An Overview of HIT Active Aqua

HIT Active-Aqua is a sub-surface arena irrigation system that delivers water directly beneath the riding surface via patented dripline technology. Water travels upward through the sand by capillary action, maintaining consistent moisture at depth across the entire arena without horses needing to leave during watering cycles. The system is controlled by a single computer and can be scheduled to run automatically throughout the day.

For a full comparison of the ArenaMate® irrigation range including AquaOver and AquaUnder, see our Arena Irrigation Systems guide.

Horse Performance and Safety at Bow House

Before HIT Active-Aqua, the overhead sprinkler system at Bow House created exactly the kind of inconsistency that poses a risk in a working competition yard. As JP Daker explains: "An overhead sprinkling system where you've got areas which are much more watered than other areas... you'll have dry patches, and it's the patches which can cause the injuries to horses, particularly if you're jumping and doing things at a higher speed."

With HIT Active-Aqua installed, that inconsistency was eliminated. The system maintains the same moisture level across the entire arena surface, removing the dry patches that previously created unpredictable footing. "The most key thing with this system is the consistency you get throughout the entire surface. Everywhere in this arena will be watered exactly the same because of how the system works," says Daker.

The effect on the horses themselves has been equally clear. Horses working on a consistent, well-moistened surface show greater confidence and performance than on a surface that varies underfoot. Riders and competitors at Bow House have noticed the difference directly: "My horse goes well on that surface. It's never gone so well" is a comment Daker hears regularly from clients.

Environmentally Friendly and Cost-Effective

At Bow House Equestrian, HIT Active-Aqua reduced daily irrigation time from eight hours to one hour and twenty minutes in the summer. That is not a marginal improvement - it is a fundamental change in how the yard operates day to day, with significant water and labour savings that compound over time.

The water efficiency comes from how the system works. Because water is delivered directly to the sub-base and travels upward by capillary action, there is no surface evaporation and no overlap between zones. Every litre goes where it is needed. "It's a very, very good economical watering system, which is also environmentally friendly because of how much less water we use," says Daker.

Once programmed, the system requires no daily input. Rain sensors shut off automatically during wet weather and the computer manages scheduling without manual intervention. "It's extremely easy to use. I don't have to think about it. We set it up once, and it just does its thing. It's always the same," Daker explains. For a yard running livery, hire sessions and competition simultaneously, that reliability has a direct operational value beyond the water saving alone.

Is HIT Active-Aqua Right for Your Arena?

Bow House Equestrian is a high-use commercial yard where surface consistency affects every horse and rider that comes through the gate. The results JP Daker has seen since 2022 - a surface that rides the same in every corner, horses that perform with greater confidence, and a daily irrigation routine that runs itself - reflect what HIT Active-Aqua is designed to deliver in exactly that kind of environment.

For private yards, competition venues and livery operations where surface quality matters and manual irrigation is eating time and water, the system makes a strong case for itself on both performance and operational grounds.

If you are considering HIT Active-Aqua for your arena, speak to the Jelka team about your yard and we will advise on whether it is the right fit. You can also view the full HIT Active-Aqua product page for technical specification and installation details.

Not sure which irrigation system is right for your setup? Read our Arena Irrigation Systems guide comparing the full ArenaMate® range.