Greetings from Ricochet Ridge Ranch

The Ricochet Ridge Ranch Marriage Proposal Success Rate remains at 100% after Cindy accepted Bruce's proposal while riding on this year's Equine, Wine, and Song Redwood Coast Riding Vacation. Inspired by Harvey's and my romantic story of meeting in a bar in Nairobi the night before a riding safari and being married at Simcha Summit, after our picnic lunch at that very spot Bruce led Cindy on a private walk under the redwoods and went down on one knee. She said "Yes"

And those of you who may have heard that I am selling Ricochet Ridge Ranch will understand that since Harvey and I recently received permission from the California Coastal Commission to build our dream house at the top of Simcha, that's exactly what we want to do! So after 30 successful years, it's perfect timing for someone else to take over the reins at Ricochet Ridge Ranch, with my avid and enthusiastic assistance. For details of what is offered, please see our online prospectus Perhaps you know the exact right person to be the next owner: someone who loves to ride, and for whom it would be their dream to make other folks' dreams of horse riding come true. It's a great life. Let's talk~~~

Last winter's trek "down under" with Brook and Leigh Ann Sample continued the tradition of riding fabulous horses in fantastic Australian rain forests. We lodge at the aptly named Bellbird Retreat, and lounge around after riding with multi-colored parrots flying overhead. Of course, we also stop in Fiji on the way home. This will be a yearly excursion I'll delight in taking with riding friends, even after Ricochet is sold. And this November, I'm honored to crew for Brook as he represents Australia in the World Cup 100 Mile Endurance Race in Malaysia.

The "Best of America by Horseback" featured Ricochet Ridge Ranch in a half hour RFD-TV program this year, which was quite a thrill. To see a 5 minute version of the program, click on

If you have slow internet connectivity, click on your "pause" button while the video is loading, then when you push "play", you can watch it without hesitations. We're also happy to mail you the full program on a DVD.

RRR wranglers continue to visit us from all around the world. Joining Masha from Russia this year is endurance rider Nick Fry from Australia. With former wrangler Elicia, who most recently has been living in Turkey, these three young folks took three young RRR horses to their first 50 mile endurance race completions. Have you ever seen six such happy campers at the finish line?

Mendocino Gamay, Mendocino Rioja, and Zydeco... what 50 miles?

RICOCHET RIDGE RANCH
REDWOOD COAST BEACH AND FOREST RIDING VACATION 2009 DATES May 11-17     June 15-21     July 6-12
July 20-36 Equine, Wine & Song (includes Mendocino Music Festival)
August 24-30     September 14-20     September 28-October 4

We welcome old and new friends to join us on Ten Mile Beach, on spectacular new trails we've discovered through the redwood forests, and across vast cattle ranches overlooking the Pacific ocean. Daily through week-long custom or scheduled riding vacations for all experience levels are available every month of the year. Y'all come!

Happy trails,