Studland is one of my most favourite parts of Dorset. The village is next to one of the finest beaches in the county and is backed by the beautiful Purbeck Hills and the wonderful unspoilt Dorset heathland. We arrived at the stables after lunch (Laura's lovely mushroom risotto!) and took a look at our prospective mounts. I was to ride Megan a 16hh bay with a pleasant disposition and large hairy feet. Laura was offered Flash - who has a white flash but was not feeling Flash 'by nature'. He had had a good time on the beach in the morning and was in 'after lunch' mode. Luckily they provided a mounting block to get me on board - after a gap of 20 years I might not have managed to get on a 16hh horse any other way!
We rode out of the stable yard and through a series of paths and tracks out onto the heath. This is beautiful country of sandy soils, clothed with heather and gorse. A cold north wind was blowing but the sky was brilliant blue and the visibility crystal clear. As we climbed the hill, the whole sweep of coast from Old Harry Rocks to Sandbanks and Poole Harbour was revealed. The white chalk cliffs of the Isle of Wight gleamed white amongst all the blue. We saw deer nestled in a warm sunny spot amongst the heather - they assessed us carefully and decided that there was no need to interrupt their rest! We saw the Agglestone, a huge 400 tonne geological anomaly that looks like a piece of placement art, rested on a plinth.
Our hour-long ride was soon over - but we will return to Studland stables and explore the other rides on offer - the beach to canter in the sea, the cliffs and perhaps the day-long pub ride to Corfe Castle. I would like to return to the heath in the Autumn when the heather flowers and see it carpeted in purple - by which time I hope that the 'saddle-soreness of 20 years' will have abated!!
We finished the day with a mug of tea and a chocolate chip cookie at the National Trust tearoom as we watched the waves and the sand on the beach - just about perfect!
You can find out about Studland Stables at
http://www.studlandstables.com/
'till next time
Susy
