Following the 2009 Hickstead CSIO 5* , it was realised that further improvements were needed to the International Arena. Some feedback from the event in July 2009 was not favourable, with the conditions deteriorating for horses and riders under the extreme weather conditions.
Having researched other comparable grass arenas it was decided that the only and the best option was to approach the company that reconstructed the ring at the RDS, Dublin. In September 2009, Hickstead approached the Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI), who were responsible for the concept, design and implementation of the project.
The STRI were asked to carry out a feasibility study with regards to the drainage and overall performance of the International Arena. The aim of this study was to recommend short term remedial works in 2010 to see the arena through next season but also to include options to totally reconstruct the arena before the 2011 season.