Greetings from Ricochet Ridge Ranch

Wonderful news since our last newsletter! On your trips with us you may have met Linny Kenney, a woman of many talents including music, art, leather work, and true horsemanship. On last March 1st, Linny, her friend (breaking news... now fiancé!) Walter, and her horse, the grey Arabian named Sojourner who was known as Rebbe when he was a member of the RRR work force,

Linny riding Indiana Jones, when she graced us with her presence at Ricochet Ridge Ranch

set off on an epic adventure to ride the 3,700 miles from Los Angeles to Bath, New Hampshire. We have all been following her blog to hear her incredible story as it unfolded (turns out Linny is also a talented writer). Linny's vignettes recounting the people they met, the challenges they faced, and the little things that made each day are so very inspiring. Treat yourself to reading her blog. Word of advice: Bring a hankie~~~

A little closer to home, the four-legged athletes of Ricochet Ridge Ranch also enjoyed a successful endurance season, with my home-bred Mendocino Zanzibar really coming into his own. He had a good finish in his first 50 at the Cooley Ranch back in June, as we knew he would with Samantha Yates riding him, after Alexandra Dreyer took him successfully through the 30 mile LD last year. But he demonstrated his true potential at the Mendocino Magic 50, where he and Sam took third place. Not only is this a great finish, but he went on to take Best Conditioned Horse award, and received the best vet score of the ride.

Alex and Zanzi on a conditioning ride at Willard Jackson's Newport Ranch

(Congratulations also to Indiana Jones, who took me to second place!) But this Zanzi guy wasn't done yet - he followed up in September by taking third place with Sam at the Cuneo Creek 50 as well, closely followed by Whisper and Cyd Ross in fourth, with Mendocino Gamay and Carina Andersson on their tails in fifth place.

Mendocino Gamay also had a great season, coming in fourth just behind Zanzi at Mendocino Magic with Linda Perry, DVM, who had come back to lease her for a taste of endurance after joining us on a Redwood Coast Riding Vacation the year before. Gamay then took third place with Sam at the Chamberlain Creek 50 in September, where Natasha and Lydia Shellenbarger had a great completion in the 30 miler.

Faraj and Chardonney, still strong after all these years, carry a happy couple to their nuptials

Voltaire and Jan Hartley also did us proud at Mendocino Magic in the 30 mile Limited Distance ride, and top tenned it.

I know all you who know them want to know... Victory, Chardonney and Faraj are still going strong!

Here at Ricochet Ridge Ranch we can proudly boast a 100% success rate on proposal rides, and 2010 has been no different. We also had two couples come to renew their vows on horseback, and a full wedding party ride to the beach (dresses and tuxes galore) for the service. Making others so happy is the business we're in, and we're always delighted to be a part of something so special. Congratulations to all!

Kalibar, the latest addition to the RRR family

We have new additions to the Ricochet Ridge Ranch family - please welcome Kalibar, an eight year old Thoroughbred gelding who came off the track at four years old, and has since been enjoying some dressage and popping a few jumps. He is settling in really well, already enjoying life on the trail. We also never really gave a proper welcome to dappled grey Zephyr or pinto Picasso who joined us this summer, and spent the last half of the season making dreams come true. All three will be joining us on the Redwood Coast Riding Vacations and custom rides in 2011. Cowboy and Poncho, our two big beautiful smooth gaited pintos, have really come into their own in the past year, and we expect them joining us on many wonderful rides again this summer. If you visited us in 2010 you may have met Treve, a cheeky three year old Arabian who was started under saddle this year and doing well. He's taking the winter off at Simcha before really beginning his training in the Spring. We're expecting great things from this guy, so watch this space. With regards to our two-legged crew, you can expect to see many familiar faces leading rides on the beaches and through the forests where we have many miles of spectacular new trails both on private lands overlooking the ocean and cattle ranches as well as in Jackson State Forest.

When not conquering endurance trails, Rascal loves enjoying views over the Newport Ranch

Those of you who have ridden with us will remember riding through the cattle ranch up to a breath-taking vista point where we take photos overlooking the Pacific and the remnants of the old Newport Ranch. We are pleased to congratulate Willard and Carol Jackson on being granted permission to restore the property as The Inn at Newport Ranch, which we hope to offer in the future as a lodging option for those who desire an exclusive location. It certainly is a uniquely spectacular setting. And we cannot thank Will and Carol enough for allowing us to ride through their thousands of acres of fantastic riding trails overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Speaking of 2011, we have announced our dates for the Redwood Coast Riding Vacations, the week-long, full-tilt boogie including great riding, fine wining and dining, comfortable lodging, and lots of camaraderie. (See below.) Ricochet Ridge Ranch is open all season, so if you just can't wait that long to come join us on the spectacular Mendocino coast, get in touch to find out more about our fully customizable private packages, or a private Redwood Coast Riding Vacation that can be scheduled for any week of the year.

The Mendocino Magic Endurance Rides, produced by Cynthia Ariosta and Forrest Tancer were such a success last year that they've been extended to two days of 30, 50 and 75 miles, the 20th and 21st of August. Based at Harvey's and my Simcha Ranch, the trails range through our generous neighbor's properties from deep redwoods with multiple stream crossings to high ridges with views over the ocean to forever.

To see these and other trails on our week-long, full-tilt boogie, join a Redwood Coast Riding Vacation, which includes great riding, fine wining and dining, comfortable lodging, and lots of camaraderie.

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.

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!

Happy trails, Lari

other newsletters