escape to a simpler time

Answer the call of the west at the ranch Hollywood chooses for western backdrops.

 

If you’re a professional woman who sometimes struggles with the demands of leadership, and you’re eager to retreat from the daily grind and immerse yourself in a simpler time where values were clearer, this leadership retreat is for you.

Away from the hustle and bustle of your busy life, you’ll discover a safe and supportive space to contemplate a deeper level of self-awareness and self-acceptance, increasing your confidence and leadership skills. Let horses assist you in nurturing your connection to personal power – based on competence, confidence and self-mastery – rather than the overt and covert forms of dominance that commonly define the term.

Experience the stunning backdrops of Kananaskis Country, surrounded by  accomplished women who share your vision of contributing to teams though a more compassionate form of leadership, where safety for self and others is paramount.

Cowgirl Confident:

Transformational Leadership Lessons from the Corral to a Kinder Corner Office

The corner office doesn’t need to be what it once was.

Learn from masters of herd dynamics and discover the curiosity and creativity that conflict can unlock.

This program empowers professional women embrace their whole selves while fostering authentic relationships and meaningful connections . Participants will develop relational intelligence and leadership skills that amplify their impact, enhance their credibility and confidence, and create lasing change in their personal and professional lives.

Here are the results you can expect:

Master Relational Intelligence

  • Challenge and reframe limiting beliefs about success and connection. 
  • Cultivate deeper listening, authentic communication, and trust-building skills.
  • Increase awareness of the energy you bring into a room.
  • Learn centering and grounding techniques to inspire harmony, cooperation and productivity.

Cultivate Compassionate and Authentic Leadership

  • Strengthen interpersonal and leadership skills through self-awareness and acceptance.
  •  Foster harmonious and fulfilling relationships that bridge personal and professional worlds.
  • Understand the essence of leadership through influence, not dominance.

Empower Personal Growth and Professional Impact

  • Rediscover joy and meaning in relationships, community, and leadership roles.
  • Recognize your existing skills and credibility so that you can call on them when required.
  •  Develop confidence to set boundaries, connect authentically, and lead with integrity.

Your Facilitators

Jocelyn Hastie, CPA

Through finding her heart in horses and country living as an adult, Jocelyn discovered to her horror that her leadership style alternated between bullying and bribery.

As prey animals, horses rely on their finely tuned senses for safety. They read the energy in each interaction, revealing lies and incongruence. Horses test boundaries, walk on doormats and avoid bullies.

Once she could guide a horse at liberty (without a lead rope) in a 60-foot round pen with the wave of her arm, Jocelyn grasped the essence of leadership—becoming a leader that others CHOOSE to follow out of trust and mutual respect.

A leader worthy of being followed.

A life-long learner, Jocelyn has a unique combination of three decades of both finance supervisory/management in the energy industry (CPA 1991) and in breeding, training, and showing Peruvian Horses. She is a  Certified Equine Gestaltist (2012), a Distinguished Toastmaster (2019) and communications coach,  and holds a certificate of completion in the Foundations of Woman-Centered Coaching (2023).

Nicole St. Michel, MA

Nicole will be leading our morning group mediations and evening healing circles. With a master’s in counselling psychology, she is registered as a Canadian Certified Counsellor.

Classically trained in India, Nicole has been teaching Yoga and Meditation for more than a decade and has had the privilege of learning alongside several great masters. A very creative person by nature, Nicole loves to channel her energy through music, art, and movement.

What’s included:

  • Accommodation at Serene Cowhorse Ranch
  • All meals from breakfast on Friday until lunch on Sunday  (breakfast, lunch, afternoon snacks, supper).
  • Equine activities including experiencing herd dynamics, mindful grooming, and leadership (no riding)
  • Meditation 
  • Private access to the Serene Cowhorse Ranch facilities
  • Cost is $3,497 single plus 5% GST in Canadian funds. ($0.71 USD to $1.00 CAD at time of writing. Link to currency converter here).

What’s not included:

  • Airfare and transportation to the ranch (closest airport is Calgary, Alberta – YYC)
  • Personal, medical, or trip cancellation insurance

We can assist you in arranging transfers from YYC to the ranch.

Optional add-on menu

Contact us for details and pricing on these optional activities:

  • Photo shoot with horses
  • Massage
  • Reiki
  • Private equine sessions with Jocelyn
  • Additional days’ accommodation
  • Horseback riding at Homeplace Ranch (additional day required)

Our proposed agenda

Thursday

  • Tea/coffee/cookies on arrival
  • Campfire with snacks – and Smores

Friday

  • Meals including breakfast, lunch, snack, supper
  • Group meditation
  • Study of herd dynamics
  • Mindful grooming and connection experience with the horses
  • Group debrief and discussion
  • Campfire with entertainment

Saturday

  • Meals including breakfast, lunch, snack, supper
  • Group meditation
  • Leadership experience with the horses
  • Group debrief and discussion
  • Healing circle 

Sunday

  • Meals including breakfast and group or box lunch
  • Group meditation
  • Group debrief and closing ceremony 
  • Departure by 3:00

Payment details & refund policy

Click here to make your down payment of $500 to secure your spot and make your accommodation choices. This payment is fully refundable until March 15, 2025.

We offer discounts for early payments and cash payments.

Serene Cowhorse Ranch

Accomodations. 

  • A variety of guest rooms available with king or queen beds.
  • Relax in the private hot tub or sauna, and enjoy the serene ambiance of our ranch with tranquil ponds and wildlife. 

Testimonials

“Just wrapping up a day at the retreat, The Cowgirl’s Code and just still purposing the day and how incredible the experience has been. Just the whole piece, the connection with other participants, the connection with the horses and the insights that we were able to get from discussing that amongst ourselves and our friends. I’m taking a piece away from that that was so much deeper than I had expected coming here.

I can’t recommend Jocelyn’s course enough, her retreat. If you get the opportunity, sign up and do it. ‘Cause it’s amazing and I think everyone has taken away something different, a little piece of their own and sharing that has been really been quite a magical day. “

“I think everybody came with a different life experience, a different journey, different things that they maybe are challenging currently and things they have overcome. So there was a lot of sharing of personal experiences but also a lot of learning through the horses of different skills that we can translate to work, to home, to all our relationships outside of the horse world, too, which is really fascinating. So, also strongly recommend it.”

“I have been amazed by all of it. It was integrated with experience with the horses, other women, being able to be vulnerable, understand my leadership style, being able to learn how to lean in and to lean on myself and the confidence of showing up for myself through this.

Jocelyn was able to create and guide me through a day that allowed reflection, insight, being courageous, and allowing myself to be vulnerable. I enjoyed the time with the horses, and Jocelyn’s guidance in seeing a bigger point of view in how I can show up in the world. It’s been a remarkable experience.”

What can women learn from horses?

Most of us believe that dogs teach us lessons about loyalty and unconditional love. My experience has been that horses put us in touch with our personal power – power based on competence, confidence and self-mastery rather than the overt and covert forms of dominance that commonly define the term.

Horses are clearly bigger and stronger than humans, but are willing to follow our lead if we prove ourselves to be someone who is calm, congruent and grounded. Experience the magic of earning your leadership stripes with these majestic creatures and your relationships will be changed forever.   

Acknowledge your emotions.

When a horse is spooked by a plastic bag, instinct tells them they are in grave danger whether or not it’s true. Once the “danger” has passed, horses don’t pretend that they weren’t scared. “Wow, that was really scary. I’m glad it’s over,” is much healthier than denying the emotions. We humans, on the other hand, look around to see if anyone else saw us trip on the sidewalk crack.

Get back to grazing.

Once the upset has passed, let it go and get back to what nourishes you. For horses, it’s grazing.

Hang with your friends.

Make time to be with those who nourish your soul. Talk things over with them to gain perspective. If you watch out for them while they nap, they’ll do the same for you. Share a laugh.

Be polite to your herdmates or you may get kicked or bitten.

Your behaviour has a big impact on your relationships. Being honest in your interactions diminishes resentment and lashing out.

Don't kick and bite if a dirty look will get your point across.

When a dominant horse is displeased with a lower-ranking member, “side-eye” is often just as effective in changing behaviour as a kick or bite. 

Kick up your heels when you're happy.

 Run around, toss your mane, buck, snort and fart. Well, maybe not the last one.

Receive your copy of The Cowgirl’s Code e-book! Learn about our free webinars!