Follow Ms. Leigh as she talks about what is happening at The Sugar & Spice Ranch
Our Texas Hill Country guest ranch is a great way to learn about horseback riding and how to care for your horse; whether you are here for our Mother & Daughter camps, a get-away weekend, or a team building retreat
Labor Day Weekend, The Right Time For Saddles & Mats
Maria Norcia Santillanes - July 23, 2016
Saddles & Mats is one of our favorite events that we hold only a few times each year. The next will be Labor Day weekend, September 1 ~ 5 and we hope you’ll join us.
So what is it about yoga and horseback riding? Well, yoga, of course, is good exercise, helps you stretch out tight hamstrings that will assist with comfortable riding. It will create suppleness in your body and with practice will give you great flexibility. Yoga builds core strength and core strength helps with riding posture.
But what’s more is yoga and riding both are about being present. When you are on the mat breathing through the poses, focusing on your body, you are present in the moment. Breath and focus are important when you are riding as well, allowing you to keep your posture, flow with the movement of the horse and stay-in-the-moment.
Both yoga and horses make you innately seek the connection, and when it happens, it’s joyful. It’s why the two activities go together so well and why we are happy to include Saddles & Mats in our Women’s Only packages.
This Labor Day weekend, Allison Kara is returning to The Sugar & Spice Ranch to lead our Yoga sessions. Allison studied at the Kripalu School of Yoga, the premier educational organization dedicated to the inquiry into what creates a fulfilled human life. They teach the art and science of yoga to tens of thousands of people each year. We are delighted to have Allison lead our yoga sessions and helping each of our guests to relax and focus while enjoying horseback riding in the beautiful Texas Hill Country.
If you are interested in joining us for Saddles & Mats, it's highly recommended you book your all-inclusive stay as early as possible as we are accepting only eight women for this highly sought-after getaway retreat.
In our next few posts, we’ll give you the scoop on our mother & daughter weekends that will be available throughout the fall. Moms and their daughters or favorite girl get to care for and ride horses together, learn a thing or two about each other and strengthen their bond. It’s a priceless experience! We will also have information about our 2017 summer camps for which we are once again offering early enrollment.
MEET ELEANORA!
Maria Norcia Santillanes - July 1, 2016
There is excitement around the ranch this summer! A great friend and summer staffer, Eleanora Passarelli is at the ranch. She'll be at the ranch all summer; maybe you'll get to meet her when you're here?
Originally from San Diego, Eleanora met Miss Leigh when she was a guest of the ranch for a Mother and Daughter Camp Week back in 2008. She loved it, she stayed in touch and became good friends with Miss Leigh.
Eleanora was kind enough to tell me a bit of her story and how her experience at The Sugar & Spice Ranch helped her through some tough times. You see, in July 2008, Eleanora’s son Mark was 18 yr old and had just completed six months of chemotherapy and two months of radiation therapies. Her horse-crazy daughter, Vanessa was nine years old at the time and a trooper through a very trying time. Eleanora told us that Vanessa handled herself like a girl twice her age displaying incredible maturity and responsibility. Eleanora felt Vanessa deserved some Mother and Daughter time, a reward for Vanessa understanding that the focus had to be on her brother during that period. Eleanora had been following The Sugar and Spice Ranch for some time and decided that a camp week would be just the right antidote for the girl. Eleanora told me, "I thought this was the time to treat ourselves to doing what we were BOTH passionate about; HORSES!!" And so they did, and that was just the start of a great relationship.
Eleanora had begun riding horses when she was a kid. Her uncle would drop her and her sister off at his ranch with an old saddle and a catch rope and come back for them when he was finished work. She told us the story of the first time at her Uncle’s ranch, "We were city kids all wide-eyed and excited so the first time he left us, not knowing any better we caught the horse we were warned against, her name was Maude. Maude and her horse sister Maggie looked almost exactly alike. However, their temperament couldn't have been any more different! Long story short, after saddling up Maude (thinking she was Maggie) we took turns on her sometimes double or just alone. The saddle kept sliding, so we rode bareback with a halter. Finally, Maude decided the charade was up and took off with my sister through the avocado orchard. They were gone for quite awhile but both came back safe and sound, and thankfully my sister was still upright.”
Eleanora told me she had tried to get her son to love horses so that she could share her passion with him and to have an excuse to ride but it didn't work. Mark had other ideas. However, her daughter Vanessa contracted horse fever when she was five years old. And it has been horses 24/7 for her ever since!
When her daughter was about twelve years old, she started as a working student at a local barn. Eleanora paid for one lesson a week for Vanessa, but they would go to the barn six or seven days a week so Vanessa could "work." Mucking stalls, feeding, cleaning tack, organizing the tack room, bathing the horses and sometimes riding up to eight horses a day! Vanessa didn't care as long as she was at the barn she was happy.
That's where they met Lilah, a big three-year-old thoroughbred/warmblood, free-spirited girl. Everyone recognized that Lilah and Vanessa had a soft spot for each other, so Lilah became Vanessa's project horse. Lilah’s owner was going to move her out of town, so Vanessa’s trainer offered to pay half the lease if Eleanora would pay the other half so Vanessa could continue to train and eventually show Lilah. Lilah became their horse and life was good, but Lilah still needed a lot of work and Vanessa was happy to work her. They started showing in the hunter-jumper division then moved to the jumper division tapping into Lilah's "Let's go!!!!" attitude. Lilah and Vanessa placed third in the county circuit in the four-foot category.
The first time Eleanora and Vanessa visited Miss Leigh, it was easy for Eleanora to see that the mission of The Sugar & Spice Ranch was unique. She also knew there was something special about the land where the ranch sat, something very magical.
Eleanora and Leigh forged an instant sister-like bond. Vanessa, Miss Leigh's daughter, and the other campers forged an instant bond as well, one that has continued to this day. But what I was most impressed with is how the ranch affected Eleanora. Her stay at the ranch had a great effect in turning her into the strong and independent woman that withstood several rough years.
Eleanora told me a little about those years, and she's right, it was a bad time. A year before she first visited the ranch, her son was diagnosed with cancer, and two weeks later her husband was fired from his job. After her son successfully finished chemo and radiation treatments, her marriage dissolved and her husband left after confessing to an on-going affair with a family friend and co-worker. Then began the clean up, the sale of their family home and all the hardship that follows a breakup. During this time, Vanessa was thrown off her horse and broke her back; her physical healing went better than expected but Vanessa’s time away from her horse Lilah and the barn family was utterly devastating to Vanessa’s emotional health. Multiple debilitating anxiety attacks became the daily norm. Vanessa had to complete her sophomore and junior years through a district-run independent study program. She went back to traditional school for her senior year, and the focus was for her to pass her classes and graduate. Well, she did and was accepted to all three colleges to which she applied!
Leigh and Eleanora kept in touch during those turbulent years. Their conversations would always include joking around about coming back to the ranch and interning for a summer. All these years later the story is a bit different. Eleanora's son is now engaged to an amazing girl; her daughter has moved away to school, and she found herself living alone for the first time in her life! She told me, "well, this past March it dawned on me that this is the moment I've been waiting for so I called Leigh. We talked about our friendship, how crazy life is, we talked about the magic and the healing horses have brought to our lives, we laughed, we cried, we celebrated each other and what we've persevered. The underlying thread through all this is the healing my daughter and I have experienced at The Sugar and Spice Ranch, on the back of a horse, whether it be Ladd, Scooter, Sunshine or Liberty, with Leigh riding next to us. Magical!!"
There is magic at The Sugar & Spice Ranch, one that opens hearts and heals souls. I hear it from so many who have been to the ranch and all horse people know that a horse will tell you all about yourself.
Well, Eleanora is enjoying her summer at the ranch doing whatever needs to be done. There is always plenty of work on a ranch and Eleanora has stepped up doing everything from helping with food prep, washing dishes, helping guests in the riding lessons, feeding the dogs and cats to enjoying a beautiful sunset.
I asked her, "what is your one favorite thing about the Sugar & Spice Ranch and why?" She smiled and said, "ONE???? Impossible! Miss Leigh, Patricia, Sunshine, Liberty, Ladd, Romeo, watching the herd interact, grooming the horses, talking to the horses, the feeling you get when the mutual trust between you and your horse is realized, hugging and quietly thanking my horse after a long ride."
I think I love this girl!
Come to The Sugar & Spice Ranch and feel the magic for yourself!
SUMMER CAMP SALE
Maria Norcia Santillanes - June 1, 2016
Don't miss this! Use code JUNE SALE! to book your summer camp week. Feel free to call Miss Leigh with any questions about reserving your stay or adding on a spa treatment with Miss Ellena, our licensed esthetician. We're looking forward to having you with us this summer.
WE'RE DELIGHTED TO HAVE YOU!
Maria Norcia Santillanes - May 1, 2016
Bracciano Traditions | Italy | www.lifeinitaly.com | Buttero: Italian Cowboys in Bracciano
This blog is the block of time we enjoy so much when we stop, slow down and connect with you.
It's one of the things we love most about social media sharing. The very thought that potentially we are connecting with people all over the country and the globe is very exciting. We have many good friends from Europe and Australia. It's always nice to hear from our friends in Italy. They have a keen interest in and understanding of American riding since they too ride 'western', and I'll bet you'd be surprised to know there are many working cowboys in Italy. Knowing this helps us to connect to a bigger picture, one where we are all just different versions of ourselves.
So much has been going on at the ranch including Ms. Patricia's prom which as you know is an exciting time for a senior of high school. Soon she will be off to college and ready to take on the world. You go, girl!
Ms. Leigh finally found time to take a mini-vacation with her sister and now she is back, rested and ready for the coming summer camp 2016. Nothing makes her happier! Mothers and daughters will be arriving in the beautiful Hill Country for riding and bonding and of course, making memories.
Ms. Ellena is making the world gorgeous with her spa treatments. As many of you already know, Ms. Ellena is a licensed esthetician and offers a menu of delightful treatments for guests of the ranch. Mom's, be sure to schedule a relaxing facial or one of other many treats while you are here at the ranch. You'll be glad you did!
So the porch is swept, the pool is ready, and the horses are keeping watch for you, from wherever you may be coming.
We're delighted to have you as our guest!
HALLOWED GROUND
Maria Norcia Santillanes - April 15, 2016
There is a quiet grace that descends in the evening at the Sugar and Spice Ranch. The land the ranch sits on feels like hallowed ground and easily you realize it is a special place, and you are experiencing a particular time. Watching the changing sky over the hills while sitting on the porch of the ranch house is almost a quiet meditation.
After a day riding in the arena, there is simple joy in just relaxing and walking the grounds watching the horses in the pasture where they live simply and naturally in a herd. There's a joy in seeing God's creature live in the manner intended.
It's no wonder mothers experience bonding with their daughters, and friends grow closer, and families create memories. Experiencing a connection with horses opens the heart, and the soul and on this land, it is almost a spiritual moment.
MARCO? POLO?
Maria Norcia Santillanes - April 1, 2016
Plenty of work has been going on around the ranch these past few weeks as we ready for the summer camping season. Keeping the ranch in tip top shape is a year-round priority and seamlessly done so we can ensure everything is just right for our guests all the time. The fence line is always checked; the brush is always cleared, and the arena is dragged just so but most importantly and just at this time of year, the pool is made ready.
Ahhh, the pool! That place where children's voices fill the air with laughter and where mom's delight in a refreshing dip in the saltwater or relax poolside as they watch kids being kids. It's a splendid way to spend some time after a day of riding and working with horses. It can be a time to wind down or create excitement with a fun pool game. Either way, the mood will certainly be a good one.
Come out and join us this summer for a week of mother/daughter time. See what it's like to ride and care for horses on a working ranch. You won't regret it.
Marco Polo anyone?
SIMPLY PRICELESS
Maria Norcia Santillanes - March 15, 2016
Happiness has a smell; it has a feel, and it has a touch! It's the smell of a barn in the early morning, that heady perfume, it's the velvety nose of a happy horse looking for kisses and it's the soft hand to guide, direct and teach a new rider to embrace the world through the gait of a horse. Those words describe the heart experience of The Sugar and Spice Ranch in Bandera, TX headed up by a very special boss-lady and cowboy-girl, Ms. Leigh McCourt.
One of the most touching experiences at the ranch has to be the mother and daughter camp experience. There isn't anything better than the bonding that occurs between mother and daughter when they work together to care for horses and learn basic ranch duties. Relying on each other, learning together, sharing work and when the day comes to a close, sharing a beautiful sunset.
Whether it's a time for mom and child to open their heart to each other in the dark of night or a quiet time spent in watching each other, moms gain a keen understanding of their child's ability and daughters learn a new respect for their parent.
Bonding with a child is a continuous process of a lifetime and one that reaps the highest rewards, the love that glues family. Horses open up the heart space for that to happen; they are a kind of impetus for building a relationship, for confidence in oneself and each other. Caring for a horse, even for a short time, making sure the horses needs are taken care of builds nurturing skills and discipline. Horses teach humans to trust themselves by trusting in the human. When people work together as a team to care for horses, they learn about each other and most importantly, themselves. They begin to see themselves in a different light.
I don't know that anyone could put a price tag on a lifetime relationship as important as that of a child and their parent or the experience of building that relationship. I don't know that anyone would.
But I do know the experience that mothers and daughters leave "The Sugar and Spice Ranch" with is indeed priceless.
SADDLES AND MATS, A WEEKEND OF YOGA AND HORSEBACK RIDING
Maria Norcia Santillanes - March 1, 2016
Yoga instructor Allison Kara, who studied at the Kripalu School of Yoga, will be coming to The Sugar and Spice Ranch in Bandera, TX Memorial Day, for another fabulous Saddles and Mats yoga getaway.
Last year, Ranch Boss, Miss Leigh offered this new retreat that incorporates yoga and riding for an enjoyable weekend getaway, and its popularity has prompted the scheduling of other weekends.
The all-inclusive women-only 4-day retreat will be held Thursday, May 26, 2016, thru Monday, May 30, 2016, and, includes:
• Morning and evening yoga sessions each day
• Your own horse for the duration of the retreat
• One extended riding session per day in the afternoon including arena work and trails
• Pampering with optional spa services
• Delicious home-cooked food
• Cozy accommodations in the bunkhouse
• Lodging, all meals and snacks, tack, horses, lessons, etc.
• Beautiful Texas Hill Country scenery
• Connecting with nature
• Time to take a break with the focus being on you
A time to pay attention to you. With plenty of yoga time each day, you will also be partnered up with a great horse for the duration of the retreat. Pamper yourself with optional spa services, enjoy delicious home-cooked food and cozy accommodations in the ranch bunkhouse. Take in the beautiful scenery, spend the time to connect with nature and an incredible environment. Focus on the person who matters most, you.
All levels of experience are welcome, and we hope you'll make arrangements to enjoy this lovely weekend of intention.
The ranch accommodates eight, so please reserve your space online as this getaway is sure to fill quickly.
For more information on this event and others, contact The Sugar and Spice Ranch at (830) 460-8487 Monday – Sunday: 8 AM – 5 PM or go to our website.
SADDLES AND MATS FOR THANKSGIVING WEEK
The Sugar And Spice Ranch - October 3, 2015
Saddles and Mats for Thanksgiving Week
What if you could enjoy some time that is all about YOU in the Texas Hill Country?
Get in some horseback riding, enjoy yoga and create new friends?
We thought it would be perfect too and created a new retreat specially designed for you to get away this Thanksgiving season and revive and refresh.
image-ssr-saddle-flag-blanket.jpg
It's called "Saddles and Mats" and we have invited Allison Kara to help us create this special horses and yoga retreat. It is an all-inclusive women-only retreat with a full Thanksgiving feast over the holiday -- Tuesday 11/24/15 thru Saturday 11/28/15 -- and includes:
• A full Thanksgiving feast with all the fixin's -- let us do all the work for once
• Morning and evening yoga sessions each day
• Your own horse for the duration of the retreat
• Two riding sessions per day, one in the morning and another in the afternoon
• Pampering with optional spa services
• Delicious home-cooked food
• Cozy accommodations in the bunk house
• Lodging, all meals and snacks, tack, horses, lessons, etc.
• Beautiful Texas Hill Country scenery
• Connecting with nature
• Time to take a break with the focus being on you
Allison studied at the Kripala School of Yoga and she talks about the intention of being real and true at the retreat with the following posted on our Facebook page:
"(The) Yoga Retreat with The Sugar & Spice Ranch, is a "Saddles and Mats" Women's Only 4-day retreat in Bandera, Texas Thanksgiving week when the kiddos are on break.
If you find yourself splitting holiday breaks and wanting to get away but not be alone - this could be for you OR if you have a super supportive family that recognizes your need to be YOU while being a mother and a partner - this could be for you too.
The intention I will be setting for this retreat is focusing on what is real and true for me at this time, this stage in my life and to connect with other gals that find themselves on a parallel journey. Make that intention your own, or if my intention doesn't resonate with you - set your own(!), it's all about being real and true - no stories to box us in.
Yoga, horseback riding with a Texas backdrop? Perfect."
Will you be joining us? All levels of experience are welcome.
Space is limited so be sure to make your reservation today! Click here to find out more.
Until my next post… devotedly, Ms Leigh & Rock Star!!
INTRODUCING MASON AND JAXSON!
The Sugar And Spice Ranch - June 28, 2015
Introducing Mason and Jaxson!
We have been uber-busy over here at The Sugar & Spice Ranch with some exciting developments as well as the start of our summer camps season.
If you follow us on Facebook, you previously met Liberty and are getting to know Mason and Jaxson who are rescue horses.
I personally train and ride each new horse to get them ready for the summer camps and have been delighted with their progress and attitude with our guests.
You need to come and meet them!
Our summer camps are in full swing and our mothers and daughters (and even grandmothers and granddaughters) are having a great time here at The Sugar & Spice Ranch. And don't forget, we have our Girls Only weeks scheduled for August.
Until my next post… devotedly, Ms Leigh & Rock Star!!
WELCOME TO OUR WORLD OF HORSES!!
The Sugar And Spice Ranch - May 6, 2015
Welcome To Our World Of Horses!!
For those of you that have not been to our new website until now, let me take a moment to welcome you.
As many of you know, I am available literally 24/7 via email to answer any and all questions and to provide you and our other guests with as much information as you need to make an educated and insightful decision on joining us for our summer camps or other horseback riding sessions.
The goal here for our mother and daughter summer camps at the ranch is to help you experience the world of horses in a very unique way that will touch your soul and create some of the most amazing and lasting precious memories for you and your daughter.
The weeks have been flying by this year and we are fast approaching the summer season and all our summer sessions. I would love to let you know about all the going-ons here at the ranch. Bear with me as there are many!!!
We have been upgrading the arena while dealing with an overwhelming amount of rain this spring… not that that is a bad thing but, anyone that knows our arena knows that when it rains we have had a drainage problem at times!! Well, I'm happy to report that with lots and lots of hard work from a very dear friend of ours and some fine engineering we are remedying that situation.
We have also been shredding lots and lots of acres here on the ranch and planting some beautiful Bermuda grass for the horses!
We are preparing to expand the facility with the building of some new out buildings for you all; such and not limited to a spa cabin and a workout cabin slated for 2016!!
We have a couple of new horses that you may or may not have seen on our Facebook page
One is Liberty and he is just the sweetest guy on the planet!! He's young and healthy but, has a very old and gentle soul!! I have been personally training and riding him to get him ready for the summer and am happy to report that he will in fact be on the roster for the summer camp weeks.
We have changed a few things here as far as enrollment is concerned as well.
We are now offering girls-only summer weeks for all the gals out there whose moms just can't break away for a week with them but, want to experience our unique total horsemanship program!
Contact us for more details about how to get your daughter enrolled for camp solo!!!
Well, it is late and I have to get up and throw a leg over many horses tomorrow to ready them for your arrival! Cannot wait to meet you all and to greet our returning guests again this summer!
Until my next post… devotedly, Ms Leigh & Rock Star!!
We are starting out February here at The Sugar & Spice Ranch with weather reminiscent of the coming of Spring in most other parts of the country.
Here at the ranch, we are thinking about Summer!
What are your favorite memories from your time at summer camp? Did they include that special connection of the love of a horse?
It is easy to make new memories with your daughter at our week-long Mother & Daughter Summer Camp sessions beginning Memorial Day Weekend.
CHECK OUT OUR NEW WEBSITE FOR THE SUGAR & SPICE RANCH!
Whether you are a long-time supporter of The Sugar & Spice Ranch, a relatively new guest, or a new visitor; we are delighted to have you visit our new website.
Our goal was to give guests a better taste of what it is like to experience camps and getaways at the ranch and make it easy for them to reserve their spot online.
Take a look, feel free to share the website with your friends on social media, send me your feedback, and let us know when we will see you out here at the ranch!
And be sure to join our The Sugar & Spice Ranch Community!
You will receive a series of personal interviews with me about how we started and what makes The Sugar & Spice Ranch one of the best guest ranches for you, your friends, family, and colleagues to visit in Bandera, Texas.
— Leigh McCourt, Owner and Founder, The Sugar & Spice Ranch
"BEST MOTHER/DAUGHTER VACATION EVER!"
"I have stayed at the Sugar and Spice Ranch three times, currently planning my fourth. The attention to detail is wonderful! The scenery is beautiful! The food is excellent! They provide activities; onsite pool and best of all... time to RELAX! Each time we go, my relationship with my daughter grows stronger. She is now 11 and looks forward to our next visit."
— (Central Texas)
"AWESOME, FELT LIKE STAYING WITH FAMILY!"
"We've been to The Sugar & Spice Ranch once, and we currently have our reservations for 2011. Awesome family atmosphere. Food is second to none. Safety of guests is first priority as is ensuring that everyone has lots of fun. Wonderful swimming pool. Wonderful views of the countryside. My daughter and I recommend this Ranch to all our friends but especially the ones who have a special love for horses. We felt like family from the time we got out of our car and look forward to spending a week there for many summers to come."
