Personally, I had another great year in endurance riding with the spunky grey Arabian gelding, Indiana Jones to complete my 5,500th mile of competition in 50 and 100 mile races. On my July birthday weekend in the foggy redwood forests, son Rafferty, daughter Kyala and her fiance Jacquot crewed for Indy and me at the Redwood Empire 50 mile endurance race. Hey.... we WON the race, Indy had the High Veterinary Score and won Best Conditioned Horse award... A clean sweep, keeping my record at 99% of my races in top ten, winning BC over 40% of the time! We were visited in camp by a herd of about 50 wild elk, reminding us all of how lucky we are to ride in country like this, still remote enough for these herds.

In 2006, riding vacations will be lead by me and my able assistant, Cynthia Ariosta-Duerr, a favorite guide since she joined my staff in 2001. Six seasons later, Cynthia rides her beautiful Arabian, Spirit, singing her favorite show tunes, and telling stories of her own adventures. Cynthia and Spirit finished two more endurance races this year, including Chamberlain Creek 50 and Lake Sonoma 50, adding to their 100% completion rate - a great accomplishment.

Also returning this year are long-time favorite guides Carolyn Morgan and Noel Daniels, as well as Christina Grosskopf, Rebecca Bailey from England,and the newly married, Masha Bychkova, originally from Russia. Rebecca took her favorite RRR horse, Syrah - one of the 2001 foals now all grown up - to a great finish in the 30 mile novice event at Chamberlain Creek. Kyra Londos, returning for her second season at Ricochet Ridge, completed 50 miles at the Lake Sonoma race on Zvesda, RRR's beautiful chestnut 1/2 Akhal Teke mare who has been enjoyed by many an RRR guest. Ivana Gaborova, from the Slavic Republic, continued their education in dressage after riding Whisper to 3rd place on the Sonoma 50 last year. Sky Carrithers, who guided us on the riding vacation at her Ranquilco ranch in Patagonia, Argentina last year, (www.ranquilco.com ) added her talents to the RRR staff, along with botanist Brett Lovelace. When they return next season, they'll join guides Chris Wilholdt and her daughter Laurel Gates as well as new to RRR, Colleen McKnight and Steve Collins. We also look forward to the return of college students Keeley Walsh and Aurora Clark-Grohman, and of course, David Danner will keep the office (and horse trailers!) running. Meet our wranglers and horses, compleat with photos at... you guessed it... our website!

In August, RRR wrangler Sky Carrithers and I headed to Idaho for the Arabian Nights Endurance Events where I volunteered as a "selector" for the Pacific North Endurance Team. Sky rode Indiana Jones in her first 50 mile race, completing in 2nd place, and winning the Best Conditioned horse award. Indie and I also completed the Chamberlain Creek 50 and Lake Sonoma 50 this year, completing in 2nd and 4th places . Thanks to those of you who have helped condition Indie by riding him at Ricochet Ridge, this boy is hot to trot and trotted himself to two BC's in two months, at the Arabian Nights and the Redwood 50, an outstanding achievement for all of us!

In other exciting family news, Rafferty completed Mission Farrier School in Washington, and has started his own farrier practice here on the Mendocino Coast. Rafe has taken over shoeing at Ricochet Ridge Ranch; the horses simply float down the trail in "natural balance". I sure enjoy watching him put all of his horse and sculpting experience to work - he's got a great eye for angles and the horses seem to be loving their new shoes. Kyala now owns her dream 236 acres overlooking the Eel river between Covelo and the Trinity Alps, and she recently became engaged to Jacquot LaRiviere, planning a May wedding with wildflowers and a full moon... Their favorite horses, Nature's L'Chaim and Nature's Shimmer, will be joining them soon.

"Down Under" draws me back for the 10th time in February of 2007, riding fit Arabians in Queensland, Australia, rain forests with the Sample family, top trainers and endurance racers who are close family friends. Ever since riding in Rajasthan, India five years ago, we've known we'd return. This first class trek in November 2007 will find us riding unique Mawari horses across Rajasthan in a trek to the Pushkar Camel and Horse Fair. A trek to Guatemala will be squeezed in between. Email me if you’re interested in these exotic excursions, and check the website often for updates.

Harvey and I "met in a bar in Nairobi..." the night before our first safari in 1990, a story we often retell during trailrides through the redwoods. To hear of other adventures, please join me in 2006 on our premiere event, the Redwood Coast Riding Vacation: a week-long full tilt boogie on the Mendocino Coast. Redwood Coast Beach and Forest Riding Vacations are fully catered with truly wonderful meals, include lodging at unique Bed & Breakfast Inns and Hotels, phenomenal riding every day, instruction in sport horse conditioning, fine dining with choice California wines accompanying dinner each evening, entertainment on three evenings, hot tub spas five nights, snacks, beverages and tons of camaraderie with like minded folks. The complete itinerary, with dates and descriptions of accommodations is found here, where we now showcase a slide show of color photos.

Since I've horse trekked nearly all over the world, people often ask me.... "Where's the most amazing place you've ever ridden?" I have to admit, it's right here in Mendocino. Hey, it doesn't get any better than this. Virgin redwoods, cattle ranch pastures overlooking the Pacific ocean, galloping along Ten Mile Beach (now available in the large, broadband size!) with waves crashing against off shore rocks, seals and whales playing in the surf, and my absolutely incredible horses! It really doesn't get any better than this. So, y'all come!

Happy trails, Lari

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