Dorset for 2-3wks in Feb. Places to go with the pony?

[SpruceRI]

I'm possibly going down to stay with a friend in Dorset for 2-3 weeks in Feb and taking my ponies.

To a small village near Dorchester.

Can anyone recommend any nice beaches I can ride on? (Box to from there)
Local friendly hunts that would accept a visitor?
Where I can go competing BD midweek?

Anyone that might meet me for a ride?

Friend lives near a lane that peters out into a bridlepath, and miles and miles of breath-taking hacking. I can't wait !!

 

[rhino]

BD local venues are Kingston Maurward and Moreton but not run terribly often. Both should have a website.

Weymouth beach is fun over the winter, can park at Lodmoor.

Hunts are South Dorset or Cattistock.

Sadly I moved back to Scotland 18 months ago or I could have met up, I kept my horse just outside Dorch.

 

[Hot_Toddy7]

I am in Wimborne, but you have Bovington RAC - they have dressage events.
Studland is great to ride along, lovely wide beach and plenty of parking!!
Would meet up, but I think I'm a bit far, and no transport atm!
Enjoy your stay!

 

[SpruceRI]

BD local venues are Kingston Maurward and Moreton but not run terribly often. Both should have a website.

Weymouth beach is fun over the winter, can park at Lodmoor.

Hunts are South Dorset or Cattistock.

Sadly I moved back to Scotland 18 months ago or I could have met up, I kept my horse just outside Dorch.

Ooh, so I'm allowed on Weymouth beach front am I? The beach there is gorgeous, I've sat on it!!

Cattistock, yes that's the one. I'm going to be in Maiden Newton which is just off the A366, looking at the map. Thanks for the details, wish you hadn't moved to Scotland though!!

 

[SpruceRI]

I am in Wimborne, but you have Bovington RAC - they have dressage events.
Studland is great to ride along, lovely wide beach and plenty of parking!!
Would meet up, but I think I'm a bit far, and no transport atm!
Enjoy your stay!

Thanks Hot_Toddy, will certainly look up Bovington too, and Studland. Shame you're not a bit closer!

 

[rhino]

Ooh, so I'm allowed on Weymouth beach front am I? The beach there is gorgeous, I've sat on it!!

Yes, you can ride on Weymouth beach between October and Easter, just make sure you park at Lodmoor car park as it's the only one which allows trailers and horseboxes.

Studland is lovely too but think there are restrictions as to where you can go/what you can do there (and look out for the naturists as they sometimes stray!)

There are some absolutely lovely hacks around Maiden Newton though, one of my friends keeps her ponies there too.