escape to a simpler time
Answer the call of the west at the ranch that Hollywood chooses for western backdrops.
If you’re an accomplished 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.
Let horses put you in touch with your personal power – 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 on the Scott Ranch, 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.
Transforming Leadership
Learn from masters of herd dynamics and experts in uncovering the curiosity and creativity inherent in conflict.
This program is designed to help professional women embrace their whole selves while fostering genuine connection and authenticity in their relationships. Participants will develop relational intelligence and leadership skills that deepen their impact, strengthen their confidence, and transform their personal and professional lives.
Here are the results you can expect:
Master Relational Intelligence
- Challenge and reframe limiting beliefs about success and connection.
- Develop skills for deeper listening, authentic communication, and trust-building.
- Create awareness of the energy you bring into a room.
- Learn to center and ground yourself to create harmony, cooperation and productivity.
Cultivate Compassionate and Authentic Leadership
- Strengthen interpersonal and leadership skills through self-awareness.
- 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.
- Develop confidence to set boundaries, connect authentically, and lead with integrity.
Gather up at the Scott Ranch June 16-19, 2025
Follow the trail of cowboys, movie moguls and world leaders to Kananaskis Country in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies, where many a Western has been filmed and where Canada hosts the G7/G8 leaders (2002, 2025).
At Cannes last year, the Scott Ranch shared the 2023 Global Production Award Location of the Year with two other southern Alberta ranches. Movies filmed here include Academy Award winners Legends of the Fall and Unforgiven, as well as eighteen seasons of the Heartland TV series.
Come ready to experience the peace and quiet of nature, forge long-lasting friendships and embrace leadership roles with creatures much bigger, faster and stronger than you that seek nothing more than creating peace and cooperation. Watch the first two minutes of this video, shot primarily at the Scott Ranch and featuring our host, John Scott.
Click here to see more about this incredible location here.
Your Facilitators
Transforming Leadership
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.
Horses are prey animals, relying 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 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.
Jocelyn has a unique combination of three decades of both supervisory/management in the energy industry and in breeding, training, and showing Peruvian Horses. She is a Certified Equine Gestaltist and holds a certificate of completion in the Foundations of Woman-Centered Coaching (2023).
Susan’s Entrepreneurial Story
Susan Clarke, MA
Susan B. Clarke has been coaching leaders and facilitating teams and groups for over 20 years. Her journey into coaching began after recovering from a terminal cancer diagnosis by uniting diverse doctors and healers, whose collaborative approach profoundly shaped her life and work.
Today, Susan is passionate about helping leaders communicate effectively, bridge differences, and navigate crisis, conflict, and change. As co-founder of Thrive Inc., a boutique coaching and consulting firm she created with her partner, CrisMarie Campbell, Susan focuses on empowering leaders, teams, and partnerships. Thrive’s services include team building, facilitation, and coaching, guided by their Path to Great Results methodology and tools like The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, The Advantage, and Crucial Conversations.
Susan consults with a broad spectrum of clients in industries including Microsoft, the Gates Foundation, AT&T Wireless, and Johnson & Johnson. In addition to their work at Thrive Inc, Susan and CrisMarie are also authors of the business book: The Beauty of Conflict: Harnessing Your Team’s Competitive Advantage.
What’s included:
- Accomodation at either River Retreat Kanaskis or Serene Cowhorse Ranch
- All meals from arrival for afternoon snacks on Monday until lunch on Thursday served at River Ranch Kanaskis or Scott Ranch.
- Tea and cookies on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
- Supper on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
- Breakfast on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
- Lunch on Tuesday Wednesday and Thursday.
- Transportation between River Ranch Kananaskis and Scott Ranch
- Tour of the movie sites on Scott Ranch
- Equine activities including experiencing herd dynamics, mindful grooming, and leadership (no riding)
- Meditation and forest bathing
- Private access to the River Ranch Kananaskis facilities
- Cost is $4,497 double or $4,997 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 Kananaskis (closest airport is Calgary, Alberta – YYC)
- Transfers from Serene Cowhorse Ranch to River Retreat Kananaskis
- Personal, medical, or trip cancellation insurance
We can assist you in arranging transfers from YYC to Kananaskis
Optional add-ons
Contact us for details and pricing on these optional activities:
- Photo shoot at movie set with horses
- Massage
- Reiki
- Reflexology
- Private equine sessions with Susan or Jocelyn
- Additional days’ accommodation
- Horseback riding at Homeplace Ranch
Our proposed agenda
Monday
- Tea/coffee/cookies on arrival at River Retreat Kananaskis Monday afternoon
- Opening ceremony
- Supper
- Movie night
Tuesday
- Meals including breakfast, lunch, snack, supper
- Group meditation
- Tour of Scott Ranch movie sets and study of herd dynamics
- Mindful grooming and connection experience with the horses
- Group debrief
- Campfire with entertainment
Wednesday
- Meals including breakfast, lunch, snack, supper
- Group meditation
- Forest bathing
- Leadership experience with the horses
- Group debrief
- Drumming circle
Thursday
- Meals including breakfast and group or box lunch
- Group meditation
- Group debrief and closing ceremony
- Departure by 3:00
Experience Kananaskis Country, where world leaders gather
One of the most beautiful places on earth, Kananaskis is the host site chosen for the 2002 G8 Summit, and the upcoming 2025 G7 summit.
River Ranch Kananaskis
Home of all group events and most meals.
- Elegant, Private Ensuites with bidet toilets and heated bathroom floors provide a touch of luxury, ensuring every moment feels indulgent
- Luxurious Amenities including plush robes, cozy slippers, and spa-quality lotions, hand soaps, and shower gels invite you to unwind
- Restful Nights on a king-sized bed with a pillow-top mattress, wrapped in the finest linens, accompanied by a serene sitting area – perfect for unwinding after a day of adventure
- Modern Conveniences like USB outlets keep you connected during your stay
- Enjoy shared spaces including the welcoming Broadbent Lounge and three expansive decks, offering spectacular views of the Highwood River and the majestic Canadian Rockies
- Dine surrounded by nature in the Conservatory, featuring a charming wood-burning stove
- Direct access to the Highwood River, renowned for its crystal-clear waters and some of Canada’s best fly fishing spots
- Explore picturesque walking paths that lead to hidden seating areas, or lose yourself in a good read at the covered gazebo with a community library
- Gather around the covered bar, communal seating area, and firepit for evenings beneath a star-filled sky, sharing stories with fellow travelers from around the globe
Serene Cowhorse Ranch
Additional 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.
- You must have transportation as Serene Cowhorse Ranch is a thirty minute drive from River Retreat Kananaskis through some of the most scenic drives you’ll ever experience
- You will have access to all shared spaces at River Retreat Kananaskis during free time.
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.