Greetings from Ricochet Ridge RanchRicochet Ridge Ranch was thrilled to be featured in Condé Nast Traveler Magazine's January 2010 issue with a six page color photo article about our Redwood Coast Riding Vacations! Susan Hack, a reporter based in Cairo, came incognito last season to ride the Akhal-Teke cross mare, Citron, with 14 other guests from all over the world. We had no idea she was researching an article. Although originally quite timid because of a previous bad experience on a different riding vacation, Susan gained back her confidence on the beautiful palomino mare. Her description of cantering down the beach brought tears to my eyes. If you can't find a copy of the magazine, you can read the story here. Many folks have requested a DVD of the Best of America by Horseback TV program about our horse treks here on the Mendocino Coast. Although our website shows a five minute abbreviated version, we now have the full half hour show available at no cost, along with a few dozen assorted photos of some of our horses and guests on various vacations over the years. If you would like us to mail you a DVD please send your current postal address, and we'll be happy to do so. 
Indiana Jones and Faraj, two of our wonderful grey Arabian geldings, are the current heros at Ricochet. Faraj, a retired endurance and Ride & Tie horse who has carried many happy clients on riding holidays for the past two decades, stars in a Honda commercial called "The Impossible Dream" which will air in Europe and on the internet. Faraj spent two days posing on a bluff overlooking the ocean while motorcycles, 4-wheelers, cars, trucks and a helicopter buzzed around him. The movie folks were afraid the 'copter might freak him out as it circled about 40 feet above the ground for hours as they shot take after take. But not Faraj. He looked so regal, with arched neck, perked ears, and his huge intelligent eyes watching every action! He was even interested in the half naked singing man in the hot tub on the deck of the Dolphin House, a few feet away. The Humane Society sent a monitor to make sure the dogs, donkey and horse in the commercial were treated well, and she of course is now a member of the Faraj Fan Club. 
And a big ”thank you“ to all of you who have helped condition Indiana Jones by riding him on treks and holidays. After warming up by coming in second place on the Redwoods 50 Mile Endurance Race in August, Indie took me to my first American Endurance Ride Conference 50 Mile National Championship in the Sierras, where we placed 14th out of nearly 90 contestants. Then he capped the season by our winning the Chamberlain Creek 50 Mile Endurance Race and his earning the prestigious Best Conditioned Horse Award. Nine intrepid adventurers joined Harvey and me journeying back to Africa for our fifth horseback riding safari last spring. A week at Dinaka in South Africa, lodging in luxury, dining on game (which for me, a ”near“ vegetarian, was a stretch), 
Although I've loved all my trips to Africa, I've always dreamed of returning during the Great Migration season to watch hundreds of thousands of animals cross the Serengeti Plains in Kenya. So, next year, September of 2011, I am inviting a dozen experienced riders to join Harvey and me to experience the ultimate horse riding safari. Four folks have already committed... if you have a similar dream, please contact me for further details of this grand adventure. We will explore the animal orphanages in Nairobi before we taking off across the Great Rift Valley to begin the Safari. Camping in luxurious tents big enough for a square dance, pampered by a staff which will outnumber the riders, we'll enjoyed fine wine and dining while listening to night sounds of lion roaring and elephant crashing through the forest. Our Somali-Arabian horses will be calm and comfortable amongst the big game, allowing us incredible photo opportunities to "capture" lion, giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, hippopotamus and elephant in spectacular settings! Land rover excursions will take us even closer.  Hey Horselovers~~~
Ricochet Ridge Ranch has five new ways to take an economical equine trek in ecologically spectacular terrain! 1 : Giddy-Up Getaway Adventures
Join other fun-loving folks or come by yourself on an indulgent yet economical escape to awe inspiring Northern California. Lodge at the lovely Hill House Inn of Mendocino, a boutique hotel just twelve miles from Ricochet Ridge Ranch, overlooking historic Mendocino Village and Northern California's stunningly beautiful Pacific coastline. At Ricochet Ridge Ranch you'll be introduced to your new best friend, the horse who will carry you for miles along breathtaking, yet safe trails on ocean beaches, through redwood forests, and across vast cattle ranches overlooking the ocean. Your first ride includes an orientation, moves on to riding demonstrations, and culminates in a glorious ride along the surf. Next ride, we head out to the largest State Forest in California, spending all day in 54,000 acres of Redwoods and Douglas fir. We traverse old stagecoach roads, riding along the headwaters of the Noyo River, revisiting the trails used in the Mendocino 50 and 100 mile endurance races, up to ridge tops with views for many miles. Your third half day riding adventure through the Orca Cattle Ranch includes vast vistas from tall mountain tops overlooking the entire Mendocino Coast. You'll watch birds soar below~~~ And you still have time free to explore the many shops, art galleries and beaches in Mendocino! You may indulge in a massage or hot tub at one of the many establishments set up to pamper you. Perhaps the best memories of your get-away will be of the camaraderie that develops between you and your horse along the trail! $955 per person
(discounted from $1,245)
Single Occupancy: $222 additional
2 : Do It Yourself Redwood Coast Riding Vacation
The exact same riding as on the full-tilt boogie Redwood Coast Beach and Forest Riding Vacation (click to see website description), but you'll arrange your own evening meals, lunch one day, hot tubs spas and entertainment. Save $700 Special!
$1,595 per person
(instead of $2,295)
 3 : Mendocino Romantic Riding Escape
Lodging will be in small, romantic B&Bs in the heart of Mendocino (or similar accommodations) for four nights, you'll enjoy full country breakfasts every morning and join others for a Wine & Cheese happy hour every afternoon. Mid-mornings, you'll begin a 4 hour guided trailride, leaving afternoons free for sightseeing, kayaking, canoeing or beachcombing. Every day's ride is different, exploring deserted beaches, riding through vast cattle ranches overlooking the ocean, and roaming through forests of giant trees to mountaintop vistas. Only $1195.00
4 : Thanks for the Memories!
Returning Redwood Coast Riding Vacation guests are welcome to 10% off on any of our scheduled RCRVs this season (that's $229.50 per person!), and special consideration on a custom riding vacation. We can produce custom ”Mendocino Magic Riding Vacations“ of any duration, from one or two days up to two weeks, with accommodations ranging upwards from $99.00- $499.00 per night, with or without breakfast, including if you like the Mendo Wine Tour, and suggestions for ocean or river kayaking, golf, hiking trails, free wine tastings and many other local secrets. 5 : Ride for Free!
And if none of the above entice you... RIDE FOR FREE! Bring 10 friends, and the 11th rides for free on ANY of our private or group trailrides. RIDE FOR 1/2 PRICE! Bring 5 friends and the 6th person rides for 1/2 price on any private trail ride. Ask around at your stables... surely lots of your riding buddies have always wanted to ride in Mendocino and are just waiting for you to get the ball rolling! Y'all come!
"What unites us all is a love of the out-of-doors, a spirit of adventure, and a passion for horses!" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
riding up close and personal with rhino, pythons and giraffe... the photo ops were spectacular! The next week in Botswana's Mashatu Game Reserve with Limpopo Valley Horse Safaris, elephant, leopard and a multitude of plains game animals were sighted while riding through stunning terrain.
Lunch under giant redwoods is a unique experience. Most riders will learn to trot and canter your horses on safe dirt trails through the forest during the all day ride. Experienced riders can really move out!
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