Greetings
from Ricochet Ridge Ranch

Whale watching by horseback is my favorite way to view the leviathans, and this winter we've had many sighting as they migrate to and from Baja California to birth their calves. We've also spotted black bear and mountain lion from a distance. How fortunate we are to have these incredible wildlife opportunities while riding our favorite horses.

In this email, you'll see a story about my old friend Raymond from Kenya, news about a new Endurance Seminar, our dates for Redwood Coast Riding Vacations in 2012, and an offer you can't refuse...

Photo taken by Lari while riding Rascal

And speaking of riding my favorite horse... Here I am on Rascal, riding through the redwoods leading a Redwood Coast Riding Vacation with nothing at all on his head... no bridle, no hackamore, no halter. We communicate via our connection with one another, with hints given by a simple loop of rope around his neck.

The first time I experienced this freedom with a horse was when riding my first Treve in a pasture in Michigan when I was 17 years old. But of course as often happens, maturity diminished both my courage and belief in my ability to communicate this way. That was revived when riding with Bob and Brook Sample in Australia, where I've taken guests 13 times since my first trip in 1989. In the early '90's, Brook honored me by letting me ride Cavalier in a neck loop, the horse with whom he had won the Tom Quilty 100 Mile Endurance Race. I immediately knew: My Gabriel and I could do that! And so we did for the next decade:

Gabe and me, sans bridle, at the top of the Panorama trail overlooking Ten Mile Beach

I have been very lucky to have more than one "dream horse" in my life, with Zanzibar, Zephyr and the current Treve waiting in the wings. "Wings"... yes~~~ my horses do give me the ability to fly.

INTERNATIONAL

It was back to Africa, as fourteen intrepid travelers joined Harvey and me for my fifth fantastic horse riding safari in Kenya's Masai Maara with Gordie Church's "Safaris Unlimited" last September. It is truly the trip of a lifetime, every time. The full story, with awesome photos, will soon be on our website blog, but email me for details if you can't wait to go yourself. As some of you might remember, Harvey and I met in a bar in Nairobi (actually the veranda of the Norfolk Hotel) the night before my first safari, 22 years ago this March, when he and his son Eric were fellow clients of Safaris Unlimited. There we met Raymond Thoyo Ngumbao, at that time working for Gordie's safari.

Raymond had been in essence an orphan, a tribal member of a family with 13 siblings who at age 6 was on the streets looking for a job. Virtually adopted by a Swiss couple who ran a horse riding school in Kenya, Raymond eventually became a schooled rider, fluent in five languages, attained a black belt in karate and became an international quality runner who went on to coach other native Africans to international top successes in marathons including the Boston, London and Seoul Olympics.

Life brought him to the Mendocino coast, where he lived for 21 years, volunteering for various local events and befriending many children, including my own, in our community churches and schools. He and Harvey partnered with Indiana Jones to complete two Ride & Tie Championships, and attained other buckles with other teams. He became a US citizen, owned a succession of successful restaurant businesses featuring African cuisine, often donated to local charities, but at age 50, he decided to return to Kenya. Twelve years ago, he, Harvey and a few other Mendocino folks had started an orphanage in Malindi, on the coast of Kenya. He is now devoting his time to the children at the Thoya Oya Children's Centre.

Our dear friend and neighbor, Eva Anderson, joined us both on safari and afterwards for a week in Malindi with Raymond and the 12 orphans. (Hey, we stayed in a unique boutique hotel on the Indian Ocean, so it wasn't that tough!)

AIDS has created orphans. But even for non-orphaned children, traditionally girls are often "married" as young as age ten to much older men, to whom multiple "wives" are permitted. Raymond wants to change that, and for both boys and girls, education is the answer. But so is a loving, supportive home environment. The children at the Thoya-Oya Children's Centre are thriving, but are currently undergoing a crisis. For details, many photos and a video I took while there, please see http://thoyaoya.org/ But know that the orphanage has recently been evicted from their home of ten years when it was sold, after funding was not found to buy the house. But the good news is that they have bought 1/2 acre, where they are now living in their own unfinished six room dwelling for the dozen kids and two caregivers. Four children to each 8x10 ft. bedroom with bunk beds, an outdoor drop toilet, no running water, no furniture, a fire pit to cook on, but at least they'll have a roof over their heads. Need I say, please donate?

The original twelve children have been joined recently by two younger ones, Neemah, age two, and Nixon Obama, four years of age. Bright mentally and physically, they both were orphaned by AIDS, although they themselves are not ill. Two of the older children at the orphanage are not so lucky, but remain in good health due to the AIDS cocktail of medications which Raymond assiduously makes sure they take daily, received from regular visits to the medical clinic. These children are truly a family, supportive and loving of each other, and grateful for the assistance they have been receiving.

Neema

I could tell many stories, but perhaps this one best exemplifies why I am using this format to ask for help for these kids. On the last day of our visit, Eva, Harvey and I hired a 14 passenger van to take the 14 children, us three, the driver and his assistant, as well as interpreter and his daughter to an ocean preserve where all could swim and snorkel. Ahemmm... we were a tad bit crowded. When we stopped for fuel, Harvey suggested I sing the children a song, which I did, as they politely, quietly listened. Then I sang another of my camp favorites... which they joyously joined in singing! "Love is something, if you give it away, give it away, give it away.... Love is something, if you give it away, You'll end up having more!" They sang "Love's just like, A magic shilling. Put in your pocket and you won't have anything. Spend it, lend it, Give it away... It comes right back to you!"

Nixon Obama

I was singing about "...A magic penny. Put it in your pocket and you won't have any". Cultural rhyming differences. But the "Spend it, lend it, give it way...." I sang "You'll end up having more..." They sang "It comes right back to you"... we were obviously singing our hearts out, about the very same thing.

There are many needy children all over the world. I happen to have met these 14. In this month's American Endurance Ride Conference newsletter, our vice president, who is a psychologist, spoke of walking down a street with a fellow shrink, who stopped to pick up a chewing gum wrapper and put it into her pocket. Curious as to why her friend had bothered to do that, she asked, and was told "Now, the world is just a little bit of a better place".

For $2.00, you could buy a 5 gallon bucket of water for the orphanage. The women working to haul water, clay and sand on their heads to make bricks are paid $3.00 per day, each. There are five of them. The six men are paid $5.00 per day each to build the house. (Please see the video I took of these workers, on the website). For $30.00, each child could receive a new uniform to enable him/her to attend their new school... such is required, with the children wearing the same shirt and skirt or pants every day, for the entire school year, for as many years as they are able to attend. $500.00 would help dig a well. $1000.00 would buy a solar pump to enable water to be effortlessly brought to the surface. Then, they too could sell water for $2.00 per bucket! $2,000.00 would purchase the 1/2 acre next door, which could be farmed for vegetables and grazed by goats for milk and meat. But it currently costs an average of $30.00 per month per child for food and medications, without even considering a stipend for Raymond and his assistant to care for these 14 children, or to buy goats. Would you like to "adopt" a child for $30.00 per month? Or add an additional $10.00 for their caregivers? Or help in the building of the orphanage or purchasing the additional land?

Eva Anderssen will be returning for six months in May to help organize the effort to make the orphanage self sustaining, hopefully with funds to finish the building project and tutor the children in skills necessary for successful employment.

PRESS

On other exciting news, Ricochet Ridge Ranch is now famous Down Under, having been featured last Fall in an enthusiastic article in the Sydney Morning Herald. Writer Julie Miller states that she was "lured" here by Ricochet Ridge Ranch's international reputation, "widely considered among the equestrian community as one of the premier trek operators in the world".

Be on the lookout for another article featuring Ricochet Ridge Ranch in the upcoming March issue of "Trail Rider Magazine." Writer-photographer Shawn Hamilton spent a few days riding with us last fall, taking some stunning photographs in places we are privileged to ride. Shawn has photographed horses in every discipline. Here's where to go to see Shawn's incredible array of photographs.

And just last week, award winning documentary film maker Jolanda Ellenberger journeyed from Switzerland to California to film Dominique Barbier's dressage training methods and our endurance conditioning protocols for her "training with love and kindness" project. Carolyn, Chris, Vida, Forrest, Deb, Taylor and Lauren rode Victory, Indiana Jones, Zephyr, Terra, Zanzibar and Voltaire to join Rascal and me on the beach and in the redwoods. Can't wait for the San Francisco premier next year!

NEW OFFERINGS

This year, for those experienced riders who have ridden with us before and want an even more in-depth education about endurance riding, we are offering The Mendocino Magic Endurance Seminar, culminating at week's end with participation in the Mendocino Magic Endurance Ride. For information about the Mendocino Magic Ride itself, visit Ride Managers' Forrest Tancer and Cynthia Ariosta's website..

Alexandra Niehaus is 9 years old, and rides her little Shetland pony in Limited Distance Endurance competitions. She is accompanied by her endurance family, her parents Jennifer & John Niehaus, and grandfather Dennis Sousa, who are just outside the frame of this photo.

Connie Berto during the 2011 Mendocino Magic 50 Mile Endurance Ride. Connie is in her 80s, has had two hip replacements, and has ridden over 10,000 miles in competition.

RIDE WITH US

If you haven't ridden with us a Ricochet Ridge Ranch, or have dreamed of returning, 2012 is filled with wonderful opportunities and ways to do so. Our full-tilt boogie, the Redwood Coast Riding Vacations, are all inclusive, catered with truly wonderful meals. They include lodging at unique Bed & Breakfast Inns and Hotels, riding every day, fine dining with a glass of choice California wines accompanying dinner each evening, live entertainment on Wednesday and Saturday evenings, hot tub spas and massage available just down the road, a party on Friday night, snacks, beverages and lots of camaraderie. They begin on a Monday at 2:00PM and end after breakfast on Sunday morning. The complete itinerary, with dates, description of accommodations, and other information is found on our website.

In year 2012, the price for the six night vacation remains $2295.00 per person, double or triple occupancy, all inclusive. Although our regularly scheduled week-long vacations are during the six summer months, we are happy to arrange custom treks of any duration or full Redwood Coast Riding Vacations at any time during the year. Returning RCRV clients are welcome to $100.00 off!

For those of you that want the full experience of the Redwood Coast Riding Vacation's riding itinerary, but would rather explore other options for meals, wine and entertainment, we offer the "Ride & Save Redwood Coast Riding Vacation". The exact same riding as on regular RCRV, but you'll arrange your own morning & evening meals, lunch one day, wine and entertainment.

On all of our riding vacations, those who are interested can and do learn about the sport of endurance. Friday's ride can include a "mock endurance ride", where we teach you more about sport horse conditioning and veterinary skills. You'll learn to check your horse's cardiac and respiratory recovery rates, capillary refill, skin response, muscle tone and gut sounds, just as is done at a "vet check" on a competitive trail ride, 3 day event, or endurance ride. During the week, we also discuss how to navigate different terrains, demonstrate other endurance related skills, and highlight many of the different riding strategies used by successful riders in the sport. This year, for those experienced riders who have ridden with us before and want an even more in-depth education about endurance riding, we are offering The Mendocino Magic Endurance Seminar, culminating at week's end with participation in the Mendocino Magic Endurance Ride.

We can produce custom, magical 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. Of course, if you are going to be in the area already, but don't have time for a full riding vacation, we also offer Daily Trailrides to the Beach and to the Redwood Forests.

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!

And don't forget to follow us on Facebook, where we post fun horse facts, fabulous photos, and share stories of the RRR family - of which you are an important part!

Y'all come!

Happy trails, Lari

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