Greetings from Ricochet Ridge Ranch!

10-23-2007

Riding in Australia's Queensland mountain rainforests and relaxing on Malolo Lailai island in Fiji on the way home this February, trekking on Mawari horses to the incredible Pushkar Horse and Camel Fair in Rajasthan, India next October, and yet another horseback riding safari photographing wildlife in Africa the winter of 2009... Harvey and I want to do it all!  ~~~  Will you join us, here or there? 

February 18th-March 2nd 2008, we're returning to Australia and Fiji for the eleventh spectacular Turf and Surf Vacation Down Under.  With two days cuddling koala bears and kangaroos in Brisbane before heading for the outback in Queensland's rain forest mountains, and four days of snorkeling, sailing, swimming and lounging around on Malolo Lailai island in Fiji to soften the blow of returning to reality, our journey will last a scant two weeks.   Here's the plan:

Those who wish may ride in New Zealand or the Snowy Mountains before joining the ten of us in Brisbane on the 19th of February... I'm happy to make arrangements for you at other venues.   Harvey and I will leave San Francisco on February 16th, arriving in Brisbane on February 18th (after "losing" a day crossing the International Date Line), meeting the gang in lovely sub-tropical Brisbane for a couple days of recovering from jet lag, touring local attractions, and bonding with our group.   Then Brook and Leigh Ann Sample will whisk us off on February 20th to ride at one of the sites of the world famous Tom Quilty 100 Mile Endurance Race Championships, which Brook has won three times, among his many other endurance racing honors.

A little history:  Since 1989, ten times I've brought folks to ride first with Brook's father, Bob Sample, one of the premier endurance horse riders, trainers and breeders in Australia.  Bob himself has won the Quilty twice, and placed in every other top ten position.  Over the years I watched Brook grow up, and was delighted when he came to the States in the mid '90's to lease a horse from me for a World Cup Endurance Race.  Brook had represented Australia with his horse Cavalier, placing seventh in the world when the World Cup was competed in The Hague, Netherlands, so he had excellent experience in international competitions.  However, as sometimes happens, my horse Caradino developed a hitch to his git-along, and they did not finish the US race.

But the trip was certainly worth it... while here, Brook fell in love with Leigh Ann, who worked at RRR for three years helping produce our Redwood Coast Riding Vacations.  This February you'll meet them and their two young children as they host us in Australia.  They'll have stories to tell about the decade during which they've been training and riding horses for the Sheik who owns one of the biggest stables in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.  Currently, they manage Gheerula, his Australia endurance horse ranch and stables, but also own their own farm with over 80 horses in their breeding/racing  program, appropriately named "Brookleigh".   Last year, Brook placed fourth out of 305 starters on the Quilty on their own Brookleigh Mozart.  This year, they've had more successes, with the King of Malaysia riding Leigh Ann's Appy horse Pharaoh in an FEI 160 km ride, finishing 10th!  He was on line to be 4th when he became ill, and could not break out of a walk for the last 21km loop.  He also leased two other horses for the ride, which came across the line with him in 11th and 12th place.  Brook's brother Matthew won the ride on Brookleigh Ricardo, a horse Brook keeps in training for him.  Brook recently won the FEI*** Imbro 160 K on Brookleigh Caspar.  Pharaoh and Caspar's wonderful brother Maestro, who I had the great pleasure of riding last year, are joining two other Brookleigh steeds who have been sold to the King.  So, we'll have the fun of riding Brookleigh Stud's future champions!

Leigh Ann and Brook both have years of experience not just with top quality horses, but also in  producing horse riding vacations of the quality we expect at Ricochet Ridge Ranch.  I'm proud to be a part of their endeavors in this exciting field. 

Malolo Lailai Island, Fiji, will ease our way back to reality.  The perfect combination of modern amenities and exotic location, Muscat Cove Resort greets us with tropical breezes, free snorkeling and other water sports galore included, optional diving, cruises or excursions available, and live island music for dancing or listening pleasure nightly.  You won't want to leave~~~   Email or call if you'd like further details.  We have six spots left.

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INDIA!  Giving us all time to plan well in advance, our next exotic foreign extravaganza will be October 25th through November 12th, 2008: A return to ride Mawari horses to and from the Pushkar Horse and Camel Fair in Rajasthan, India.  This nineteen day Maharajah-led escape from the 21st century will be fully described in another email for those who are interested, and on our website.  You've heard Harvey and me rave about our last horse trek in Rajasthan.... find out why, for yourselves!  We'll lodge at castles and forts, hosted by the Maharaja on his personal horses.  We ride through phenomenally beautiful country, photograph wild animals and domestic beasts, including cobra and the ubiquitous holy cow, meet friendly and welcoming rural folks who use donkeys, horses, oxen, camel.... and if they are lucky... elephant for local transportation.  I cherish a photo I took through the back window of our bus one day in which I saw all of the aforementioned in the same frame with a cyclist, a motorcycle rider, a motor scooter, and a Mercedes-Benz!  We rode camel and elephant.  We visited sites of amazing art, architecture, science, history and jewels.  But when I asked my guests what was the memory which struck their hearts most strongly, they all said some version of "The people are so friendly!"   Please contact me for further details and pricing, as variations and additions are possible.  This date is being held exclusively for my group for the next three weeks, so deposits will need to be made immediately if we are to secure this excursion.  Email or call me!

And then back to Africa in the early months of 2009.  This time we're looking at riding in South Africa and Botswana after Kenya.  Since these treks must be booked so far in advance, we ask for those who are interested to contact us immediately to let me know which trips you'd like to join. The price of most international vacations can fluctuate greatly with variations in exchange rates, so prices quoted will be in American dollars as of today.  The price might change according to when you actually pay for any of your trips.
Back in Mendocino, California, Rascal and I have enjoyed a fabulous season, guiding new friends through the redwoods, cattle ranches and beaches on our Redwood Coast Riding Vacations, and winning the two 50 Mile Endurance Races we entered this fall.  More importantly, Rascal also won the coveted Best Conditioned Horse Award at both races.  I hope he's looking forward to next year as much as am I!  And I hope you will join us either on a custom riding vacation, or with other enthusiasts on one of our week-long full tilt boogies. 

Equine,Wine and Song Redwood Coast Riding Vacation: July 14-20, 2008

Imagine combining the one of a kind Redwood Coast Riding Vacation with the Mendocino Music Festival and a Mendo Wine Tour, with lodging at the lovely Hill House Inn!  Last year's inaugural trek was such a success, we've decided to repeat the experience.

Lodging all week is provided by the lovely The Hill House Inn of Mendocino, a luxurious hotel and restaurant with the warmth and charm of a small bed and breakfast. The convenient hilltop setting overlooks historic Mendocino Village and Northern California's stunningly beautiful Pacific coastline. Mendocino Headlands State Park and Big River Beach surrounds the tiny town located on a peninsula jutting out into the ocean. Garden Rooms at the The Hill House Inn offer polished brass beds with cozy comforters and elegant furnishings with modern bathrooms. The Hill House Inn is located just outside town, within walking distance to the many restaurants, galleries and shops that the village has to offer. Upgrades to ocean view rooms are available.

The Mendocino Music Festival is a cultural event which brings world class musicians, both classical and contemporary, and music lovers from around the world to a summertime tradition in our most picturesque town of Mendocino. Evenings under the heated big tent by the ocean on four nights include breathtaking concerts featuring the Festival Orchestra, chamber music ensembles, dance, blues, world or folk music, culminating in the magnificent full Opera.

The Equine, Wine and Song Riding Vacation includes the luxurious accommodations, full hearty breakfasts, daily lunches, elegant restaurant dinners, four nights at the Mendocino Music Festival, an all day Mendocino Wine Tour, and five days of riding.  Full details can be found at www.horse-vacation.com of course.