"Hi, I'm Lari Shea. Welcome to Ricochet Ridge Ranch."

A couple of years ago I was in need of a battery re-charge, and just had to get outside. Something different and unique was definitely required. While half watching some flick with folks galloping across the screen, the light went on. A few minutes on the Internet at www.horse-vacation.com, and I found Ricochet Ridge Ranch. A few minutes on the phone, a helpful cheerful voice answered all my questions and booked me for a week long Horse Trek.

I arrived at the ranch just north of Mendocino, California, an artist's colony perched on a bluff overlooking the most spectacular coastline this side of Scotland.

13 other trekkies and I were directed to a huge barn to mingle and watch the horses watching us. "Hi folks,” said a petite woman decked out in black and red riding gear, with a smile to light an auditorium. "I'm Lari Shea, welcome to Ricochet Ridge Ranch". We were handed a biography sheet, not about each other, but about the horses we would be riding for the week. No retired nags, no backyard pets, dusted off and saddled.  No these were all accomplished endurance race horses, current campaigners each with a string of victories in nationally sanctioned events.

It turned out that Lari, a magical little sprite, could walk the walk having won the Super Bowl of Endurance Races, The Tevis Cup in 1989. Cute as 3 day old filly, a great singing voice, and when she closed the mustard jar, no one else could pry it open. We got comfortable on hay bales while Lari explained the itinerary for our 160 mile trek. "First off, she said, we ain't gonna mosey. We are gonna ride all 10 miles of Ten Mile Beach just to get us to the trail head that takes us into virgin forests. Everyday would be a different ride with different scenery, a picnic lunch and even a mock Endurance Race Loop.

I was worried that limited riding skills would make it tough for me to keep up. Before I could ask that question Lari explained they had plenty of wranglers to split us up into smaller groups so we could all ride at a more comfortable pace. She explained that every night we would be at a cozy Inn, with hot showers, hot tubs, and gourmet food and wine.

We had a chance to introduce ourselves. Our group was a real blend of divergent types. A few "she rides, he golfs", Richard the Wall Street Warrior with cell phones lined up along a bandolero he wore like Pancho Villa’s ammo belt. Gail, a recent cancer survivor, Danielle, a former Soap Opera actress, now a teacher between jobs, Sandra, who'd lost her confidence somewhere along the way. All nice people brought together through a love of adventure and being outside.

Wrangler Ron, our other trail guide, instantly memorized everyone's name and a few facts about their personal histories; a small thing but it made all of us feel special. He explained that safety would not be optional and that the most important part of the ride was to enjoy the experience.  Next, we met our horses. I was assigned an Akhal Teke mare, Asaletta. These are fairly rare horses in the United States, originally bred on the Russian Steppes for use as war horses, built for speed, and hardy constitution. As Wrangler Ron adjusted my stirrups he smiled and asked me, "Son, who'd you know to get my favorite horse? She's the smoothest ride in the barn. She'll get strong with you, but check her speed once and she will melt back into your hands."

After the orientation we cruised down to the beach to get acquainted with our horses and each other. We finished with a carrot tasting for the horses and a wine tasting for us before dinner in a lush seaside garden.

The group blended into a well-oiled horse trekking machine. We shared equipment, muscle relaxants, and built some great memories. Richard packed away his cell phones, Sandra grew bolder with each day's great ride, Danielle and I spent seemingly endless days on horses with seemingly endless energy. Lari was a tireless fountain of information about the area and the horses, she told great tales of the trek from almost 30 years of leading rides, and could sing everything from country to show tunes when the mood struck. Wrangler Ron always had a smile, a great anecdote about the history of the Mendocino Coast or the perfect recipe for Coquille St. Jacques.

I can still recall the unequalled beauty of the ocean in Northern California, seals sunning on the rocks, or our wild bunch sunning on top of Rolex Ridge at Simcha Ranch, with a view to the horizon in all directions and all of nature spread like a visual buffet before us.

To this day I can still feel the excitement and thrill of Asaletta pounding down the beach, next to Danielle, as Lari, hands free, turned in the saddled and snapped pictures of us. When we finally got back to the Ranch, there were broad smiles, high fives, and hugs for everyone. I could feel Danielle's heart beating as I held her, and even now I still dream of her, my face against her neck, with her name on my lips...Asaletta, Asaletta.
 

Dave Elder
Orange, Calif.

 For Further Information about Ricochet Ridge Ranch, visit the website
 at www.horse-vacation.com or call us at 1-888-TREK-RRR.