Equine Building Project:
The Settlement Equestrian Center | Riding Arena & Horse Stall Barn
Paducah, Kentucky
Winner: 1st Place in Horse Barns – 2025 National Frame Building Association Awards
Project Overview:
This custom equine facility brings together a full-size indoor riding arena, a professionally organized stall barn, and a welcoming lobby and office area—all connected into a single, cohesive layout designed to support daily horse training, lessons, and long-term equestrian growth.
Built by Walters Buildings, this project reflects a combination of scale, practicality, and craftsmanship. Every section of the structure is purposeful, from the 280-foot indoor arena to the 24-stall barn and the fully finished front lobby. The result is a complete equestrian environment designed to meet the needs of horses, riders, instructors, and guests.
The Lobby & Office:
At the front of the building is a fully enclosed lobby and office section, providing a finished entrance for riders and guests. The layout shown on the plans includes:
- A main lobby suitable for seating and gatherings
- A private office
- Restrooms
- A staircase leading to an upper-level space
This front section gives the building a professional, welcoming appearance. The photographs show the covered porch supported by stone-wrapped columns, creating a lodge-like entrance that sets the tone for the entire equestrian complex.
Together, the riding arena, stall barn, and lobby form a complete equine training center designed for efficiency, comfort, and long-term durability. The horses move naturally between spaces, the aisles remain clear and functional, and the front lobby provides a welcoming entry point for riders, families, and visitors.
This project demonstrates what is possible when a riding arena, horse barn, and support facilities are designed as one integrated environment—each part supporting the daily rhythm of equine training and care.
The Riding Arena:
The indoor riding arena measures 81 feet wide x 280 feet long, creating a true full-length training space suitable for a wide range of equine activities. The lower wall is tapered to provide added leg room and improve rider safety along the perimeter.
The arena’s interior is bright and evenly lit, with lighting arranged in rows along the full length of the ceiling. The walls incorporate a repeating pattern of tempered glass windows, bringing natural light into the space and maintaining visibility throughout the day.
The roofline is supported by a clear-span truss system, eliminating interior posts and maximizing usable riding area—an essential feature for any indoor riding arena. The footing area covers the entire length and width of the arena, and the photographs show a meticulously groomed surface suitable for lessons, training sessions, and everyday riding work.
The arena connects directly to the stall barn through the central breezeway, allowing riders and horses to move between the two spaces without exposure to the weather.
The Stall Barn:
Attached to the arena is a U-shaped horse barn containing 24 stalls, arranged in three rows. The main center aisle runs the full depth of the barn, with additional stall rows forming the left and right wings. The plans called for 24 horse stalls, each measuring 12’x12′ for daily use and designed for efficient flow during feeding, grooming, and turnout.
Every stall is equipped with J&E Grill Manufacturing’s Touch of Class welded steel fronts and Dutch doors—premium components documented on the invoices. These stall fronts include heavy-duty steel grillwork, framed mesh panels, and smooth-sliding door mechanisms, all built with equine safety and durability in mind.
Beyond the stall rows, the barn includes a full support system for daily equine operations:
- Two Feed Rooms — one located in each wing of the barn.
- Two Tack Rooms — separate spaces for saddles, bridles, and training equipment.
- Laundry Room — positioned near the stalls for washing blankets, pads, and wraps.
- 12′ × 16′ Wash Stall — a large wash bay near the riding arena.
Custom Features:
- Indoor Riding Arena: 81′ x 280′ full-length indoor arena designed for year-round riding, lessons, and equine training
- Clear-Span Truss Design: Open riding area without interior posts allows for safer movement and maximum training flexibility
- 24-Horse Stall Barn: U-shaped barn layout with twenty-four 12′ x 12′ stalls designed for comfort, organization, and efficient daily care
- Premium Equine Stall Fronts: J&E Grill Manufacturing steel fronts and Dutch doors provide durability, ventilation, and a polished finished appearance
- Functional Support Areas: Two tack rooms, two feed rooms, laundry space, and a large wash stall support the day-to-day needs of horses and riders
- Welcoming Front Entry: Finished lobby, private office, restrooms, and upper-level access give the facility a professional and inviting front-of-house presence
- Custom Exterior Details: Stone-wrapped porch columns and a covered entry create a refined equestrian look with strong curb appeal.
Make it Your Own
This custom equestrian project shows how Walters Buildings can bring a full-service horse facility together under one roof. Whether you are planning an indoor riding arena, a custom horse barn, a stall barn with tack and feed rooms, or a complete equestrian center with office and lobby space, Walters can design a building around the way you train, ride, board, and care for your horses.
Ideal Applications:
- Indoor riding arenas for year-round horse training and riding lessons
- Custom horse barns and horse stable layouts with stalls, tack rooms, and wash bays
- Equestrian facilities designed for boarding, training, and daily horse care
- Horse boarding barns with integrated office, lobby, and support space
- Riding arenas and stall barns built as complete equine training centers
Why Walters Buildings:
- Designed for Horse & Rider: Thoughtful layouts that support safe movement, daily care, training routines, and year-round riding
- Clear-Span Arena Expertise: Engineered post-frame systems create wide-open indoor riding arenas without interior posts getting in the way
- Barn Functionality That Matters: Stall barns, tack rooms, feed rooms, wash bays, and support spaces are designed around the real needs of equine operations
- Customized for Your Program: From private horse barns to boarding and training facilities, every equestrian building is tailored to your goals
- Trusted Craftsmanship: Over 65 years of experience building durable, high-quality post-frame structures designed for long-term performance
Ready to Build Your Own Stall Barn or Riding Arena?
Contact our project management team today for a personalized quote and start designing a space that’s truly your own.
