Praise for the People & Horses

        of Ricochet Ridge Ranch

To partner such a supremely fit equine athlete ... was a rare privilege and one which I shall treasure. - Arnie Garney, Editor, Horse and Hound, London, England Your horses are outstanding. Your terrain is spectacular. We thoroughly enjoyed the cuisine and accommodations throughout the week. We have ridden in Canada, the U.S., the U.K., Portugal, Mexico, and the Caribbean, and your ride is one of the very best! --- Jerry M. Lougheed, Jr., Ontario, Canada

My wife and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary on May 17th 2010. We picked Fort Bragg for its beauty and relaxing atmosphere. I have wanted to take her horseback riding for many years now but all of the other ranches we visited did not pride themselves on quality care of their animals or knowledgeable staff.

We met with you a few days before deciding if we were going to purchase a trip or not. It was obvious that you take care of your horses and ranch. We wanted you to know how much fun we had. The day of our anniversary we had planned a sunset ride but mother nature had other plans, we contacted you and requested a change of day and time and you were able to accommodate us with no problems.

On Sunday we met our guide , James. From the moment we set foot on the ranch James made we us feel like old friends. He took time to find out what type of experience we had showed us the safety video and introduced us to Cowboy and Poncho the beautiful horses we would spend the next three hours on.

In addition to quality horses we wanted to let know you have quality staff as well. James and his wife love and care for these animals as if they were their own.

Well needless to say our three hour beach ride was incredible. Ten mile beach was beautiful. Neither of us had ridden in over thirty years. It won’t be that long until we come back, possibly next year.

Thanks

A very big thank you , to you and your wonderful group of guides for yet another superior ride. I lay my head down at night hoping to dream of cantering Voltaire on the beach. I love Voltaire, and I loved riding with you all. You deliver a fantastic ride with the most gorgeous and athletic horses. You create "Horse Ride Dreams Really do happen" at Ricochet Ranch , and that is one of your very many gifts.

Thank You so much. I look forward to being able to ride in Africa with you next year. God Bless you , you are a special lady that I respect and admire.

Love

I just wanted to spend a couple minutes to write and say thank you for such a wonderful experience my Girlfriend Carolyn and I had. Everything was very easy and accommodating through the whole process was, not to mention the best horseback ride we have ever experienced. It was like the beach was reserved for just us and our awesome tour guide James,(and his family) who were the best... friendly, fun, displays great love for the horses and the Fort Bragg area as well.

If anyone we know is going up to Fort Bragg area we will definitely recommend the Ricochet Ridge Ranch and all the beautiful horses there. Thank you very much for such a great day, we'll be back up again soon!

Sincerely,

Your ranch is truly what dreams are made of! We planned our visit to your ranch for over 2 years and our expectations grew absurdly high. Well, last Saturday was our day... you gave us Whisper and Indy, and Nick as a guide -- need we say more? Those were truly the finest horses we have ever been on. Nick was just an incredible guide and when we galloped our dream horses in the surf -- and flew -- it was the greatest day of our lives! We are already planning our return, with friends, soon. We are so grateful to all of you for your 1st class horses & staff. You are the best!

Sincerely,

Joy Tiffany & Valerie Cannon

PS: Elicia gave us a ride home, as well! What a doll and an incredible horsewoman. Your ranch is truly blessed with talent. Thank you!!

Mikki Zurow

Linda Hedgepeth, Santa Barbara, California

Emily Brooks

Charlene Zion

As already mentioned our greatest concern about booking a ride with you was, that after hearing of the introduction video and detailed instructions of how one is to mount a horse, that the ride would be so ‘etepetete’ that it would be terribly nit pickingly boring. Nothing could be further from reality.

It was a great four days!!

Such uphill canters up crooked and bushy trails we had never before experienced, not even in Namibia. This was of course only made possible by your and Chris’s leadership and your wonderful horses with their unbelievable condition.

Another contributing factor was the most enjoyable company of Mark and Patty. The only person I, Clark, know with whom I can make as many jokes as with Mark is my old school friend Curtis Ferguson of Benton, Arkansas. All was not jokes, we also had philosophical discussions.

Rose-Marie was very happy with Nitecap and enjoyed every minute on his back.

We are really impressed by the operation you and Harvey have built up and your very friendly and helpful staff.

We look forward to our next ride with you.

With kind regards,

Clark & Rose-Marie Robbins

Thank you soooooooooo much for providing an out of this world trip. I had the best time ever, and am in awe of your skill, hospitality, personality, lust for life and overall wonderfullness! You are magnificent and it has been a pleasure beyond words to have been in your presence! You radiate women power, intelligence, warmth and all the best traits a women can be. You are my Hero.

I am sending in tips for all as I took my envelope back with me mistakenly. Chris was beyond excellent in helping me with lessons along the way. What an absolute gem she is. My horse Shimmer was great and I miss her and am in a little withdrawal as it was such an intense experience for me. I hope sometime in the near future I can ride with you again, this time in the intermediate group. I have sent all my horse friends your web site, so they can see what a great place you have!

Once again, Thank You from my heart to yours.

Please give everyone and all the horses a big kiss and carrot from this Crazy Happy Canadian.

Love

Lora Darby

Since returning home, I have several times sat in front of my PC in an attempt to write you a thank you. I keep drawing a blank. After four trips with you, I seem to have run out of superlatives: the fittest, finest horses; the most spectacular countryside; the most knowledgeable, warm and fun-loving guides; the most thrilling gallops; the most free and easy laughter. What more can I say that I haven’t expressed after past treks? (And this is the reaction of someone you locked in a trailer tack room and forgot about. I can only imagine the superlatives coming from the rest of the group!)

On first meeting my fellow trekkers, I surprised them by saying it was my fourth trip with you. Each of them had taken many horseback riding vacations in places all over the world. They could not understand why I would keep coming back to Ricochet Ridge. By the end of the trek, I overheard most of them plotting their return trip. They were coming back to ride the wine tour with you or wanting to join you on a 50-mile trek or just needing to come back to ride “their” horse alongside you again. I smiled, realizing that the question was not "Why would you come back?" but rather "Why would you NOT come back." It just does not get any better.

I do add a special thank you this year for allowing me to ride Whisper. Such a thrill. A dear horse, a superb athlete and such a beauty! He was perfect!

So thanks again. And I am sure that if you keep trekking, I will see you yet again.

Leslie

I wanted to take a moment to tell you how fabulous my week with you and your Ricochet Ridge Ranch crew was as we rode along Ten Mile Beach and through the towering Redwood forests. The trails and scenery were breathtaking and the horses (especially Cloud) were stupendous. But your collection of guides made the trip a perfect ???. Skyler, Carolyn, and Chris were friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. Special thanks to Chris, however, who always went the extra mile. I always felt safe and well cared for as one of her charges. Thanks also to Harvey and Beanie for their assistance and good company. And, of course, many thanks to you Lari. The sparkle of your personality and the wonderful energy you exude set the tone for the whole group.

Thank you,

Pam Swift
(Cloud's rider, 9/28/09 - 10/04/09)

Just a short note to say thank you and your fantastic team at Ricochet for a brilliant holiday. Mike & I have done several riding vacations (US, Argentina, South Africa, Portugal, France, Italy ...) and we both agree that this was the best ever. The horses, the riding, the scenery, the accommodation (we particularly liked Hill House), food and organisation were all great but it is the people who make it a real pleasure, the guides and helpers and of course yourself and Harvey with your wonderful tales and banter. So a very big thank you to all those we got to know Skyler, Chris, Sid, Beanie and those behind the scenes who we did not meet but without who the week would not be possible.

Andrea & Mike, London, UK

You really know how to plan a 5-star vacation ... from beginning to end ... the horses ... the trails ... the weather (how'd you do that?) ... the inns ... the food ... the entertainment (WOW!) ... all were exceptional!

Count on spending at least five ... hours in the saddle cantering along endless beaches, climbing through redwood forests, and picking your way along razor-backed ridges with views that, depending on which way you look, seem to go all the way to Nevada or Japan. Ricochet Ridge Ranch chooses the Inns on the horse trek by the quality of their hot tubs. The rational: "We ride hard enough to deserve them."

Just wanted to send you a note of appreciation to let you know what a joy it was to ride at your ranch this past weekend. I traveled from Alabama to celebrate my 40th birthday with good friends in Mendocino, and my ride in the redwoods was the highlight of the trip.

Noel and his lovely horse Avalon were my guides, and I rode Virshima. I thoroughly enjoyed Noel's company and was impressed with his outstanding horsemanship. His knowledge of horses and the region (educating me about the amazing variety of plants and trees along the trail) was an added bonus on a great ride. Noel set the pace perfectly for the ride, and it simply could not have been any better.

Noel told me that Virshima is one of the horses that you have bred at your ranch. What a lovely animal he is! I have two horses of my own, and unfortunately have often been disappointed with the quality of horses that are available on guided rides. Not Virshima. He still enjoys his job, and his gaits are so nice that I was not even sore after a long ride on an unfamiliar horse over unfamiliar territory. It is obvious that your horses are carefully selected, well-trained, and well cared for.

Thank you so much for providing me with the perfect birthday celebration. I will recommend your ranch to all my friends who are planning horse vacations.

Best regards,

Thank you for a wonderful time. Our time with you was beyond anything we could have dreamed. This was the first vacation my mother and I have taken alone together since my childhood. At the age of 75, it was a delight to see her relive the happiness of her childhood riding. I felt that she was safe at all times and appreciated the special attention you gave her. She is still talking about her wonderful experience, the horse she rode, the mountains and beaches, and how wonderful and skilled you are as a horse woman. Fro myself, I have developed an appreciation and love of the Arabian/Orlov breed. Their agility, athletic ability, endurance,and willingness are amazing! All are a reflection of an accomplished trainer and horse woman. I have already called several family members and friends and told them this is a " MUST DO". I hope to plan another trip to see you in the near future. I thought I had to go to Italy or Spain to see such beauty, but as it turns out , you have shown me that it is in my own back yard! Thank you Again!!!!

With Respect,

Cantering over the sand on Tzar ... it feels as though I'm astride a smoothly oiled bunch of steel bearings and powerful springs, upholstered in gray horsehide and responsive to my every whim. You know, I originally thought Nature's Ballet a rather prissy, silly name for a big stallion like Tzar's dad. Now I found myself thinking that this is not a bad name ... not bad at all.

Thank you so much for the perfect riding vacation! I've been on others in Europe, but yours was the very best. The best horses, the best trails and beaches, and the best staff.

I can't tell you how much Lisa and I enjoyed your wonderful trek through the Mendocino area on horseback. You made us feel welcome and certainly helped us improve our horsemanship a great deal with your guidance and that of your "cowboys". I haven't had as much fun and laughter in a long time. I won't even go into how beautiful and breathtaking the coast was, as well as the dense forest we experienced throughout the week. WE'LL BE BACK!

What an incredible experience on a truly incredible horse with the intelligence, stamina and heart to go the distance and take good care of his rider all the way!

Thank you for the wonderful horse-holiday! I had a 'work-out and loved it! I especially want to thank you for my birthday gala and the party at the Lodge.

The scenes & sights from horseback were great. I loved it. The food; the tack; the paths; the lunch spots; camping; all was so much fun! I know it took a lot of organization & hard work on your part & I appreciate it. Thanks for matching me to "Shasta" - I loved him.

I wish I could move out to your area and spend the rest of my life on trek!

Winner was a terrific horse and showed me a wonderful time. Lelah was crazy about Redwing - You'll be lucky if she doesn't come out there and steal that horse.

What a wonderful experience I had. The horses were the best and the scenery was to die for. I was in heaven for a week. Thank you both for making my dream come true...

I rode today and had the best ride on my horse in Los Angeles that I have ever had after the wonderful dressage lessons Chris gave me. I have gained much experience and confidence from this trip and I thank you both so very much.

Hope to ride with you again soon.

The last week in September this year is one we will always remember. We learned so much from you and your wranglers; and the riding experience you gave us in that short time was a turning point in the way we will handle and ride horses in the future.

...the trek last August. I still think of it frequently - it was one of the most wonderful experiences I can remember. Apart from the horses being great and the riding wonderful, I have rarely met such an interesting and congenial group of people as those in our group. I would love to come again and join one (or more!) of your treks.

It was a wonderful trip...I'm thinking of the incredible attention to detail: the careful matching of rider to horse, the thought given to schedules and routes, the individual help provided at every step necessary, the champagne before and after, the music offered for our evening enjoyment, the great and plentiful meals, the address lists handed out at the end... That last ride on the beach fulfilled a childhood fantasy for me.

I enjoyed every minute! The food was scrumptious, the riding was marvelous, the views magnificent, and you and your staff, perfect; helpful and patient! Loved your lectures 'neath the tall green trees, and ... our evenings were super. The piano concert and "Franny and Friends" were outstanding!

...thoroughly enjoyed our second trek with you. Riding Blue was a dream come true... he truly is a magnificent creature. Your enthusiasm, planning, & organization make for one incredible week on horseback...

I, who have never forced my vacation pictures on anyone before, have become quite aggressive!

Everyone asked me if I had a nice vacation. I said "NO", I had a PERFECT vacation.

Susan and I had the time of our lives last summer at RRR . For me, my time there was the pivotal point in my experience with horses. I not only realized I could ride, but also came to understand that horses are not just another hobby, but a way of life.

Your story about Meaghan brought tears to our eyes.

Brenda and I wanted to tell you what a fine job Sky did with our niece Sophie this week. Sky gave Sophie riding lessons Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday and Sophie loved them! Sophie's riding skills and comfort around horses improved 1000% in those three days. Sky was extraordinarily patient and kind with Sophie and was an excellent instructor!

Thanks for providing such great staff and horses!

I at last have a moment to get to the computer and say how wonderful my time was. Every minute a perfect memory. Thank you!

I wore the T-shirt the night/day I got home at 4:00am and that flowed into the delivery of a new foal! She is a beauty and we saw the total birth. Needless to say I have been a bit sleep deprived. But horse mom and I are doing very well except for our terrible dry conditions.

Lari - Again I compliment you on the dedication to excellence in horse performance and the possibilities that you have created for so many of us to share because of you dedication. Your staff is wonderful. I will never forget Cynthia -- she won my heart! It has been so hard to tell others about the week because in some ways it was unbelievable. My son the SEAL told me tonight of free falling at 12,000 feet and hooking up with another person - I said that is what it like to partnership in a canter with a great horse on the 10 mile beach! He understood! Lari thanks for the tears of joy!

Keep me updated on your adventures and your progress on Simba. I am truly interested. Congratulations on the win with Indi - and all of those to come - My best to Harvey I enjoyed his sharing so very much

Sincerely

I wanted to send a quick note and thank you for the private ride that my NEW fiance and I went on last Friday, July 8th. Rebecca was great and Emily, my fiance, absolutely loved it!!! It was a dream of hers to ride a horse on the beach and of all places in the world to do it, we ended up at your ranch! Rebecca informed us of the complimentary ride afterwards. I wasn't sure if it was meant for the other Bryan Miller that proposed that day too! How weird was that? Nevertheless, we are very grateful and will definitely be back time and time again.

We had a great experience in Ft. Bragg and Mendocino! I would like to send some photos and write an email together with my fiance to thank you once again.

Also, thank you for the "good luck" horseshoe! We are going to frame it in our new home. We are marrying in September. Thanks for being a part of our "perfect" day!

Gratefully,

Last Saturday, my daughter, my sister and I went on a 2:00 private beach ride. A dream come true for my dauther and for me. A great advanture for my sister. Rebecca from England was our guide. she is a jewel. We saw Lari hustling around - looks like she had been to the tack store for supplies maybe. Anyway . . .

What a wonderful, wonderful place you have! Your beautiful horses in such fine, fine condition. Wonderful temperment, and so, so strong! Nothing you don't know of course, but I had to write and complement your outfit. We are so wary of trail outfits. But how wonderful to see a place so full of folks who love horses, respect people and really seem to care about your experieince.

My sister was a complete rookie, but Rebecca respectfully and very instinctively lead her through the process. She explained everything wonderfully, encouraged her just enough and even got her comfortable trotting. (This thrilled my experienced daughter who would have died had she been held to a walk the entire trip. ) I have a feeling your entire staff is the same.

I am just a "Barn Mom" with no riding experience, but plenty of horse exposure. However, I am short and carry it pretty well, but am very heavy. This was a concern because I did not want to hurt the horses. I was over many outfits' weight limit. When I called and expressed my concerns (twice), everyone I spoke to kindly and encouragingly assured me I would be fine and so would the horse.

It was wonderful. I was given a sturdy looking horse and the video on how to mount without hurting the horse was a great comfort. I made it up there without cracking this sweet horses spine. He didn't seem to mind at all this load he knew he was gonna haul for the next hour and a half. Even dismounting went well. Anyway. . . I am rambling again. I have never written anyone about an experience before. I am sure you've heard it all, but thank you for such a wonderful place, such a dream fullfilling experience and for so many folks who really care about their horses and their clients.

We were so excited at the end of the ride, we forgot to ask some questions and I thought maybe someone could answer them now. My daughter wants "details" for her "Sweet 13" scrap book, and many of our horse friends are asking questions we can't really answer.

So here are the questions about the horse we rode.

What is the breed, height and age of each of the horses we rode? (Maleca (spelling?), First Class, Halloween)

If you have it, A horsey "bio" on them would be cool. Most everything else we have found on your cool website. Where we were sad to see Lari is moving on. We will pray for someone just as dedicated to carry on in her fine tradition.

God bless you all - -

We had an amazing 3 day riding experience with Christina as our guide (June 30 - July 1, 2005). She was TERRIFIC and a lot of fun to hang out with. Can you please pass these photos on to her. We will definitely look you up again in the future. Loved the horses!!!

Thank you,

I want to thank you for an incredible experience I had riding Royal on the beach with Evona as my guide. Cantering Royal on the beach exhilarating. I couldn't have asked for a better ride.

I would like to extend my gratitude to you for having the opportunity to ride with a Dressage saddle. It was very nice to have the option between English and Western. I would like to compliment you on you preparation video at the start. It was very well done. I can appreciate it even more since I teach first level Dressage to small children.

Tell Evona that I enjoyed our lengthy discussions about horses and riding. She's is a gifted horse person.

Here is a picture of my Two Arabian mares. Ask Evona if she can tell which one I use for teaching lessons to six year olds.

They're almost a matching pair except for personality.

Have a good summer,

Sorry it's taken me so long to contact you to thank you so much for such a wonderful time with you on the trail May 16. I so enjoyed riding Fire and can't stop raving about him to all my friends. You and Harvey were such good company and I really appreciate all the effort you put in to make our trip a happy and memorable one. I will certainly never forget you and think of you often, as I said to you, there are very few women I admire quite as much as you Lari.

As a result of our trip, Patti and Don have asked me to visit them on their ranch in Tennessee which I plan to do and one day soon I will come back to ride with you again on one of your trail ride vacations.

I have taken your's and Cynthia's advice and started to ride again here. I went away this weekend to visit an old friend of mine who lives up country in Hereford on the Welsh border. She and her husband have a splendid farm and their daughter has a superb thoroughbred, Welsh cob cross mare (Floss) who has won many horse trial events.

Floss, a 16 hand chestnut, has the most amazing action, her trot was fabulous, she just swept her feet out and glided across the ground.

You would like this horse. I also rode out with my friend's daughter on a borrowed thoroughbred from a neighboring farm. It was such fun.

I hope you realise that you are responsible for giving me back my desire to be around horses again! Thank you Lari and also Cynthia for your kindness and effort to make us all happy on your trail ride, You've give me a new lease of life.

Much love to you and Harvey and please say hi to Cynthia for me.

Bye for now xxx

Don and I can't tell you how much we enjoyed our week-long trek with you and the others! We learned so much and had such an incredible time. Your horses were fit, energetic, and a pleasure to ride. Your staff was ingratiating, eager to please, knowledgeable, and friendly. The accommodations were lovely, secluded, quiet, and serene.

And then there was YOU! We couldn't have found a better teacher or guide from which to learn. I told you once on the trail that I wish I could just take your experience and pour all that into my brain! Please, please, PLEASE write a book for those of us that still have so much more to learn. We can't thank you and Harvey enough for opening up your world to us and letting us see just how beautiful it is.

We do have ONE request. We left without telling Avanti (sp?) what an incredible horse he is. We hope the two of you have many, many more trails to explore. I would love to get a picture of the two of you and a couple of just him, if possible, to add to our trip photos. We thought he was an example of just how beautiful AND smart Arabian horses really are.

If you plan future excursions, I hope you will keep us on your mailing list. We are ready to go! Of course, we would come back to northern California in a heartbeat! Thank you, thank you, thank you for sending us on the next leg of our journey with our horses!

Happy Trails,

several years ago i stayed at the antioch ranch, outside of mendocino....visited a few wineries... but, the highlight of the trip was riding one of your outstanding horses (english) along the beach... it was an exquisite experience...

this evening i stumbled upon your website as i was looking for somewhere to ride in so. cal., and as i was looking at your photos, my mind and body aches to spend time up there.....reminding me of how much i don't belong here in this "go to the mall, breast implant" world down here... i guess i need to take a leap of faith and just go alone...

fondly reminiscing,

Just wanted to let you know that you have given my wife (Cyndi) & I something that we'll never forget, we traveled with you on the 6-day adventure that will never be forgotten. Our best of friends also came along as this trip was for Kay Stecker so that she could spend her last days enjoying what she enjoyed most, she was the one who rode the best of the three of us, she had such a zest for life which made each day joyous. She fought a battle with cancer for several years and before passing on she would always remind us of the fabulous time we had at the Ricochet Ranch.

Since our trip with you we managed to get involved with an endurance riding association here in San Diego and volunteer for events, we met Terry Howe and her husband David who put on these events several times a year. Cyndi and I have ridden in the 15 mile fun event only to get out and see how our horses do on the vet check My 14 year old Morgan is looking tired so I try to be good to him & on the other hand Cyndi's quarter horse is a great horse for her with plenty of manors etc1 I wanted to also say that we do give out your name and information from time to time and will come up to see you again soon.

Happy Holidays

Diane and I had a spectacular rides both Saturday and Sunday- Your guide Kera was very professional and showed us that she cared for the well being of both the clients and the horses. She also spent time with your new employee, Masha showing her the "ropes" of the operation, in a way that did not detract from her guiding duties and in a way that was supportive and sensitive to Masha.

Thanks again,

I just wanted to say thank you for providing me with the opportunity to create memories that will last a lifetime.

As you said we all share a common bond, our love of horses. Allow me to take this thought one step further. I also feel we all had deeper personal motivations for taking on such a vacation. Your ride presented each of us with the means to attain something personally satisfying and indescribable. Thank you for your energy, personality, and most importantly for your horses. They are heroes in my book!

Since I arrived home I realised that horses are a very important part of my life and I decided to specialize my current study in horses rather than in dogs and horses. I believe that seeing the way you are able to handle yourself around horses and having so much fun doing it I was convinced that horses are it for me. So thank you!

Nancy Phillips and I had a fabulous time riding with your guides Noel and Chris. I rode Nightcap and he was an excellent horse, strong, willing and listening.

I would recommend your ranch to any rider but for people with some years in the saddle our ride was tremendous. Richard Parish recommended your ranch to me and I will pass the news on to others. You should know that both of our guides were great and spoke very warmly and with deep appreciation in their voices for you. Clearly you are beloved by your staff. Thank you for creating such an amazing riding experience for the rest of us to enjoy.

Happy Trails to you,

Shaun & I just returned from sunny CA. We had such a great time!! Wine and horses, how can one go wrong. I must say I was a bit on the toasty side after just the first vineyard, but with a limo driver for the day it was all good. The riding was PHENOMENAL! Guys you just have to get out there to Mendocino and take a Ricochet Ridge Ranch vacation. They can customize for you if the package is not fitting your style. We did the wine tour the first day. Then I got to ride for two days and Shaun opted to spend one day on the golf course. That's OK with me as Shaun is a beach nut and I prefer the forest. Man, you just don't know large trees until you have been in the redwoods. The trails they have are just out of this world - & you thought the BRLA trails were nice. You know I will be showing you the pictures. Also I would take one of there trips with kids as they are very big on safety. I think I may have met my match in the safety department & I didn't think it possible. Shaun enjoyed the golf. He shot a really good game, so he was happy. He is looking forward to RRR putting together a golf, wine and equine weekend. Of course I don't know what I'll do while he is out golfing - let's think - ride some more. The afternoons we spent going through the shops in Mendocino, walking along the beach and, of course, drinking wine.

So now its back to work. The B&B that ranch set us up in had a wine hour from 4 - 5. So today Shaun and I are recovering from our jet lag, looking at the clock thinking its time for wine. We are so relaxed now we don't want to go back to work. I guess reality has to catch up some time.

See ya on the trails or at the barn!

Just wanted you to know what a wonderful time we had on our 3 day riding adventure. Noel did an excellent job of meeting our varied needs, making sure that each of us got what we wanted and needed from our rides, even though the three of us had such different riding abilities.

He made sure we saw the best of the landscape and helped us learn so much about the forest and ocean. This was a trip of a lifetime for us--my retirement and the girls' graduation trip. The girls, especially Anne, will always remember "her horse," and riding on the beach--I will always remember the beautiful scenery. Thanks for everything.

Last week a friend of mine and myself went on one of your three full days of trail riding excursions. I am now a member of the Vishima fan club. I've been on several riding treks in Europe and the US, and he was the best schooled horse I've had on a riding vacation. My friend was also impressed with Nikita. The two guides we had; Cynthia and Darla were extremely fun to ride with. The first day Cynthia took us through the Redwoods, and Darla took us on the beach and up into your property on the other days. I can't say enough about what good guides they were. Darla had us laughing with her story of "Mumsey and Poopsie" and Cynthia likewise kept us laughing with tales of dressage riders, well, out of their element! Both of them are like Vishima and Nikita (the bellydancing horse), true assets to your ranch. I hope to be able to ride with your outfit again in the future, and believe me, I'll be asking for Vishima.

Please say hello to Cynthia and Darla from me.

Best regards,

I just wanted to thank you for our wonderful ride out on 10 mile beach on Saturday. We had an amazing ride with Noel as our guide on his horse Avalon. I rode Zvesda and my husband rode Nikita. We were so happy to fly along the low tide edge and breathe the salt air with the winged hooves of our new friends! The horses were in great shape, well cared for and trained and I hope they enjoyed the outing too! I have been dreaming of this ride for 2 years since I tried the private hour and a half tour. I've been taking riding lessons and plan to lease this summer to increase my riding and horse-hangout time. I actually enjoy all the poop scooping and grooming too! Your riding stable is so unique to have the opportunity to ride on the beach. I hope it remains in good hands (pending the for sale advertisement on your website.) Please tell Noel that his witty conversation and comfortable guiding style was a good fit for our desire to get alot of loping on the sand. And thanks again for changing our reservation (I apologize for calling at 9 pm after we saw the Weather Channel...I thought I would only get a recording but disturbed you instead! You were gracious enough to excuse me and got word to Saturday crew so all was ready to go, and it was more comfortable than in the rain on Sunday!) WOW!! I just feel so grateful that your horses were there for us to share and made a wonderful memory of celebration on our 27th wedding anniversary.

With appreciation,

"Beautiful ride on the beach with horses"

The staff was friendly and accomodating. The horses were well cared for and in good spirits. Be sure to bring along your camera as the guide will stop to take pictures of you by the ocean.

My sister and I recently (May 2009) spent 4 days riding at Ricochet Ridge Ranch. I had not been on a riding vacation since I was a child, but I ride my own horse regularly. Suffice to say, I was not disappointed! The riding was fantastic, plenty of time in the saddle and well-conditioned and well-trained horses. I had never before cantered on a beach in the surf, and it was awesome! But probably my favorite experience was our "mock" endurance ride, we covered probably 25 miles mostly at a full gallop through mountain trails. Our guide, Chris, shared tips and feedback about our riding skills, and without a doubt my riding abilities were both challenged and improved. I would definitely recommend Ricochet Ridge Ranch, and would love to return myself!

I have been on trail rides in Wyoming, Utah and Colorado but this one was far and away my best riding experience. The staff was extremely helpful to me and I was very impressed by the expertise they displayed and the knowledge they possessed. Certainly I and the other riders were in highly capable hands.

I have been on other trails rides where the little details were often chaotically mismanaged but I have never observed an organization such as Ricochet Ridge"s where the utmost details in meals , transportation and lodging were so thoroughly planned for and so effortlessly executed. I must say that complex logistical planning such as this is certainly worthy of General Eisenhower at D-Day.

I also must comment about the superb condition of the stock. I have never ridden with such a collection of spirited well trained and highly conditioned horses. I never observed one example of bad horse behavior during the entire week and that is a tribute to the care and training you provide your stock. I believed I have learned more about horses and horsemanship in your week than I have learned in years to date.

Thank you for providing me with the most positive riding experience I have ever had. I highly recommend the Redwood Coast Riding Vacation to all.

I hope to return for another Redwood Coast riding vacation next year.

Just wanted to drop you a note to tell you thanks again! We had an unforgettable time horse backing last month in Mendocino. I can't help but smile when I look at the horseshoe in my kitchen window that Noel gave us as a souvenir. We are beginner riders and had such a great time riding Forage and Guess. The scenery and horses we're equally incredible. Noel was very informative about the horses and the Mendocino area. The highlight of our 15th anniversary trip to Northern California was drinking wine at the top of the mountain. Having the wine was such a nice touch, thanks again Noel. We hope to return someday soon.

I have just gone riding at Ricochet Ranch for the tenth year. I have my own horse, but every year I am up in that area to dive for abalone and I rent a horse at Ricochet Ranch. Whether you are a beginner or an avid horse person, this is the place to go. The prices are extremely resoniable, and the staff is very knowledgeable and fun. They have great horses, which they pick to suit the rider. You can take rides on the beach or in the redwoods, either way it is a beautiful ride. It is something you can't do at home. To ride along the ocean and see the wild life up close, and enjoy the beautiful ocean by horseback. It is truly one of a kind experience. I thoroughly enjoy it every year!

Oh my what wonderful memories!

I just have to say thank you for the time you take making sure we all have such lovely memories. What with making sure we're on the right horse, not doing anything unsafe, can get from one place to another, are well fed, it is impressive that you understand how important the pictures are to your guests. Just wanted to say that we noticed you care and appreciate the constant effort. Challenging enough taking 18 horses out for 6 days with riders who may or may not know what they are doing and then making sure they all look great in pictures that YOU have to take ... thanks.

Till we ride again ...

I had been taking horseback riding lessons for a few years. I wanted to get out in the open on horseback. So, based on a friend's recommendation, my girlfriend and I booked 4 half-day rides with the Ricochet Ranch in September. My girlfriend had riden a lot when she was younger, so she had no concerns. But I was less experienced. The folks at the ranch did an excellent job in finding the right horse for me. He was a lively fellow, but not too much for me to handle. We had 2 days of riding on the beach, one day of riding through beautiful redwood forest, and one day of riding wide-open farm roads through the countryside. It was fantastic. It was the best riding I had ever experienced.

My girlfriend and I felt fortunate to get the guide we did. She was, of course, an excellent rider. And once she recognized our skill levels, she took us on some of those long canters and gallops that we had wanted. The absolute highlight of the trip was when we galloped down the beach on a beautiful sunny day with the sounds of the waves and the birds and the horses. That's the experience I had been training for.

If you book a trip with the ranch, I have a few suggestions:

Be mindfull of the season. We went in mid-Septemeber. The weather was dry and moderate, which was great for riding. Our guide told us that Spring is really pretty.

For beach rides, check the tides and ask how they affect the rides. We were lucky for our trip. Ask about food/water. I suggest bringing a snack, something that can be easily packed in a saddlebag and not get squished - like the banana we packed on day.

Be completely honest about your skill level. I was. It worked out well.

Facilities at the ranch are limited, so take care of that before you go out there. If you want to set the pace yourself, do what we did, book your own trip. I don't know what the group trips would be like.

If you don't ride all the time (l usually ride once a week), don't try to over do it the first time out. Ride a couple of days, then do some other activity in the area like the wine tours, then ride a couple of days more. For us, 4 days in a row was plenty. If I did it again, I'd probably split it up.

Hi All

It's the last day of 2008 and I am reminiscing about the year gone by. How can I ever forget my wonderful holiday with you in Sept '08. I was the luckiest person in the group having being chosen to ride the amazing Indiana Jones (Indy). It was an honour and privilege to ride such a fantastic horse. He made my week so so special. The long gallop down the beach, the canters through the forests. The memories are so special. I had an absolute week of a lifetime. All the staff at Ricochet were fantastic. The trails were great, the food was great, the company amazing and the scenery spectacular. Myself and Deirdre are still talking about it.

Thank you all for a fantastic holiday. Give Indy & Whisper a heap of carrots specially from us. Those boys are truly special.

Thanks again

The best of the best to you all for 2009.

My friend and I spent one week on the Redwood Coast ride and had a spectacular time! We are both experienced riders with over 10 years of weekly riding, and were thoroughly amazed at the careful planning and agile horses brought along on the trip. The horses are true athletes and the riding was great, with lots of long canters and the never-to-be-forgotten, 2 mile gallop!

The scenery is incomparable and the beaches were beautiful. Lari and her guides were thoroughly experienced in their leadership and safety concerns. The horses were well trained and very willing to accommodate all terrains. I would recommend this ride to quite experienced riders only, due to the varied terrain, group riding, and the beach ride. But if you are looking for a lot of riding each day, gorgeous scenery, really nice picnics and some nice wine with dinner, then you should join Lari at the Ricochet Ranch.

I just wanted to thank you for the wonderful ride you took my husband and I on a few weekends ago. Both Blane and I enjoyed every second of the ride. We have discussed and recommended the experience with friends and family. It was a beautiful day and the horses were amazing.

On our drive home to Plumas Lake, we talked about all the things we saw during our ride. The scenery was breathtaking. We also were very appreciative for all the tips and pointers you gave us. I felt like I learned more during our four hour ride than in the weeks of lessons I had had prior to our ride.

Thank you for taking time out on a Sunday to give us a memory of a lifetime. We look forward to riding with you again.

Sincerely,

I rode three days with Noel as my guide and I just want to say thank you. Noel was a terrific guide, always mindful of my comfort, and had a lot of running commentary on the fauna and foliage of the trails we rode on. Well mannered, kind, considerate - a real gentleman. He could not have been better. I rode Rici and she was a relaxed horse and very enjoyable to ride. I hope to bring some friends back in the spring when the flowers will be their most glorious.

My husband and I experienced our first "riding vacation" at Ricochet Ridge Ranch and had the time of our lives. He wasn't too excited about going but I love to ride and never get the chance so it was a birthday present for me! By the third day even though he was sore, he was having the time of his life and we were really enjoying ourselves. The experience was beautiful scenery, tremedously fit horses, great guides and a wonderful group of people from around the world. As a group, we all had a great time and became one big family by the end of the week.

We are looking forward to trying out the Wine Festival Ride in July and we recommend this vacation to anyone or family that enjoys being around horses, learning about them, meeting new people and just having a wonderful time.

"Wonderful Vacation"

My husband, David, and I returned from our trip at Ricochet Ridge Ranch with smiles on our faces. It is an unbelievably beautiful, quiet place. The staff is competent, friendly, and hardworking. The horses are strong and gorgeous The hosts are charming and wonderful story tellers. I think I have just described paradise. Would definitely return.

My initial experience at Ricochet Ridge Ranch came as a pleasant surprise. I moved to Northern California from Pennsylvania where I was a member of the Fox Hunt and in the past had taken riding vacations in various parts of the country as well as abroad. All my past riding experiences could be summarized as boring or dangerous. The rides that were fast often had safety issues and I had seen many accidents when beginning or intermediate riders were placed on spirited horses, or the outfitter did not use breast plates or the terrain or guide was just not conducive to trotting or cantering. On the other hand the safe rides limited us to walking the horse and/or used horses that were tired, old or incapable of trotting or cantering.

None of these issues were present at Ricochet Ridge Ranch. Outfitter Lari Shea has made safety the number one priority but that didn't stop me and my friend, also an experienced fox hunter from cantering up mountain trials and along the beach and having an exhilarating riding experience. Since the first ride at RRR I have been back several times. Whenever my children or grandkids visit we make the trip to Fort Bragg and ride at Ricochet. For the inexperienced or children in the family, RRR provides horses that are perfect for their ability. With my 7 and 9 year old grandchildren we may only walk the horses but when my older niece, an experienced rider visits we trot and canter. The guides always ask us our riding ability and have never failed to provide jut the right measure of pleasure riding and joy with maximum safety possible. I have no reservation in recommending Ricochet Ridge Ranch for the experienced or inexperienced rider.

What a fun place. I took my husband, 10yr old son and 7yr old daughter there for a horse back ride. We went in Nov. and expected bad weather and limited things to do in Mendocino. This was not the case. The sun was out and the beach was gorgeous.

I was a little worried about taking my kids out on strange horses. My daughter has taken a year of riding lessons and I rode a lot when younger but my son and husband have never ridden a horse. Our guide at the ranch reassured me and put us on great horses. I got a horse with a little more spunk and my kids and husband had calm horses. Overall it was a great experience and I would love to go again. Maybe next time a longer ride.

I had never ridden a horse before, and I expected to get run down old horses with broken spirits. Quite the opposite. The horses were feisty without being angry, and varied in size, color and temperament. We were on a beginner trail along the ocean, so the horses couldn't go on a full gallop, but all of the horses appeared healthy, happy, and capable of going for a nice long ride. Next time I go, and I will, I'm going to ask for a longer trail with a smaller group. It's more expensive, but the beauty of Northern California and the joy of being with these horses justifies the expense.

"Perfect Vacation"

If you want gorgeous scenery with fantastic horses this is the place to go. My husband and I went on one of their week long riding vacations and I had the time of my life. We all had safe well trained horses that were nice to look at but also fun to ride. Lari led us cantering along the beach in the surf and then up into the redwood forest. We went through cattle ranches and rivers then past virgin redwood trees. My favorite part was cantering up the mountains on very fit Arabians. Lari has the vacation well organized so that I could go on longer rides each day and my poor husband, more of a beginner, could go with a different group on a shorter ride. Then we would meet up at points during the day and for a picnic lunch. The nice part was that you could switch groups during the day. The guides are very knowledgeable and can help give you instruction along the ride. At night there were different places to stay with great food and entertainment. In the morning you woke up sore but exhilarated to go explore another trail.

My husband and I took a private horseback ride around the beach for our 1-year anniversary and had an amazing time. The weather was perfect and our guide had a great personality. My husband and I hadn't been on a horse in a while and this was just the experience we wanted for getting back into riding. I'd recommend to others the private ride option. It costs a little more but you get a lot more out of it. No worries about trotting and hearing the real beginning riders panicing. Thank you Ricochet Ranch for an excellent time/ride. *quick note*-there are 2 different facilities (beach riding/forest riding), be sure to get the address while you are making reservations.

"Riding tour of California's North Coast"

This horseback riding adventure led by Lari Shea features two days of challenging riding through California’s beautiful redwood forests and along the coast, with lodging at De Haven Valley Farm, Mendocino Hotel and the Cleone Gardens. The North Coast, about 140 miles north of San Francisco, boasts sandy beaches, lush forests and beautiful gardens, as well as shops and art galleries.

Riders who participate are recommended to have at least an intermediate skill level, though special accommodations can be made for beginners. Shea is an accomplished endurance rider and breeds Arabians and Arab-Orlov Trotter crosses. Her knowledge and experience in riding difficult terrain and her genuine concern for her horses' well-being makes this a safe and enjoyable trip for both horse and rider.

At the beginning of the ride, participants are matched with horses according to their skill and comfort level and take a preliminary ride in the arena to ensure that the matches are sound. They are then divided into groups based on skill level, usually twelve to a group, and assigned guides. Riders may choose to use English, Western or endurance tack during the course of the trip.

Time not spent in the saddle may be spent perusing the art galleries in Mendocino, kayaking or hiking in Russian Gulch State Park and Van Damme Park, and exploring the Coast Botanical Gardens.

This was a great disappointment. We had read the very positive NY Times article and expected a lot, but it was boring and expensive. My daughters are good riders and I paid extra so that they could have a good ride on the beach without having to mosey along with the usual group ride with folks who have never been on a horse before. Unfortunately, the guide wouldn't let us canter or gallop on the beach, so we could only plod along - until the group ride caught up with us anyway. A lot of money for nothing. We expected much more than we received.

Our prime concern in providing horseback rides on the beach is to show our guests some magnificent scenery while safely riding our horses on the wide open expanses of Ten Mile Beach. Our trail guide did not think it was safe for these two young girls to canter or gallop their horses, the very first time they had ever ridden with us. They took our shortest trail ride, so did not have enough time to gain the experience necessary to safely gallop that day. Often, with instruction, riders are able to canter or gallop towards the middle or end of a 1/2 day or all day trailride, particularly on our forest trails, which are more contained than the beach. But we certainly cannot promise that every rider will be able to canter or gallop the first time they ride with us on our shortest trailride. Most folks love riding our beautiful horses, and many return for ever increasing adventures.