INTRODUCTION
Life can demand more time leading others than leading yourself.
Defining business plans rather than personal ones.
Our Karoo Ranching Leadership Reset event provides time, and space, for pause.
To reflect. Reframe. Reset.
To put the map aside and look in the mirror.
Discern the important from the urgent.
What really matters and truly motivates.
To shift leadership effectiveness to personal mastery and fulfilment.
A process, but not a workshop.
Individually but never alone, the expansive environment of the Karoo, and unique partnership of the horse frame a powerful experience of self and space.
A potent opportunity to recharge, rediscover and recalibrate.
WHAT IS A RESET?
It is a highly personalized opportunity to hit the reset button and take stock of where you are and how you wish to impact your sphere of influence.
Our Karoo Ranching Leadership Reset combines self-observationn and reflection with individual and collective engagement, and the intuitive connection and support of the horse.
Time spent in the saddle, and activities with the horses, encourage and unlock perspective and clarity.
Participants enjoy a combination of active and rest time;
equine partners are central to the experience, and powerful therapeutic teachers of elusive purpose and meaning.
All one-on-one engagement is optional, and there is no requirement to divulge personal information during the event.
WHY YOU MIGHT NEED IT
- You’ve burnt out
- You’ve become disillusioned & discouraged
- You realize your thinking needs a refresh
- You are looking to make some big changes
- You know you need to work on yourself
- You need help coming back to balance
WHAT IT INCLUDES
- Inspiring leadership talks by industry leaders
- Highly personalized coaching sessions
- Hands on learning activities
- Introspective breakaways
- Mindful horse rides
- Conversations around the campfire
- Rest and relaxation time
- Wholesome foods
- Beautiful ranch accommodation
SUITABLE FOR
Leaders wanting to:
- Step away from the noise
- Ground and rebalance themselves
- Give effect to powerful change
- Design a new chapter
- Prepare for transition
- Spend time in nature, with horses
- Gain perspective on fulfilment
- Understand themselves better
- Like themselves more
- Relax & Unwind
MEET THE FACILITATORS
JULIE HOBSON
Julie is the owner and founder of KAROO RANCHING.
Having done her time in the corporate world as an investment banker and business owner, Julie returned to her farming roots to establish KAROO RANCHING.
Her passion lies in helping others heal, find their true power and live their purpose with joy.
Julie and her husband, Sean, facilitate the learning experiences with their incredible team of horses.
MEET THE FACILITATORS
KATE FORDYCE
Former Chief Marketing Officer at Woolworths South Africa, Kate has enjoyed an expansive leadership career across a number of local and international blue-chip brands, including Sanlam, Warner Bros. Consumer Products and ABInbev (formerly SA Breweries).
Driving and dovetailing commerce and creativity, Kate’s extensive leadership experience includes senior executive roles at global communication giants Ogilvy and TBWA\.
A passionate believer in the imperative of balance and the power of purpose, when not in the boardroom Kate can be found exploring the mountains above Botriver with her equine partner, Charlie.
MEET THE FACILITATORS
PIERRE STRYDOM
With 27 years’ experience in both learning organisations and Action Learning methodology, Pierre has driven and facilitated various strategic leadership growth, development and cultivation programmes, within both public and private organisations.
With an emphasis on personal and professional wellbeing, Pierre has engaged many leaders, through both individual and group coaching initiatives.
His experience as CEO of an international business school richness to Pierre’s insight into the ongoing challenges of effective leadership and management.
An experienced and intuitive horseman, Pierre seeks every opportunity to enjoy time in the saddle.
HORSES
Our team of ranch horses are all carefully selected on temperament & play an integral part in the healing sessions of the event.
Each one has their own unique personality & ability to teach and heal.
The horses enjoy their life on the ranch, whether it be working with guests or roaming free in the mountains.
We pride ourselves in a well adjusted herd.
We strive to make every guest’s ride as memorable as possible, by pairing riders with horses that will compliment them in both experience and personality.
EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
This event is suitable for beginner riders, as well as more experienced riders.
The pace is never more than walking and all activities are optional.
The focus is on gently learning and connecting with horses.
For safety purposes, guests are required to have a basic level of riding experience, familiarity and confidence and be able to catch, groom, saddle, walk and stop their horse.
Minimum age is 21 years.
Maximum weight is 90kg (with lenience to 95kg on request).
SAFETY
All guests are required to sign public liability forms upon arrival.
All guests are offered riding helmets, or encouraged to bring their own.
However, should they wish not to ride with a helmet & ride with a wide brimmed hat instead, they would be welcome to do so, however, they will be asked to sign a further public liability form.
While all possible forms of precaution are taken by the KAROO RANCHING team to ensure guest safety, we expect riding guests to act responsibly while handling the horses & take the safety of their fellow guests into consideration while at KAROO RANCHING.
The KAROO RANCHING team retains the right to ask any guest to refrain from further riding should their riding abilities be a danger to themselves or other guests.
PACE
Our events are not geared to those who want to race around everywhere.
Our mountainous terrain simply does not allow for it.
The pace dictated by Mother Nature often encourages guests to ride in silence, ponder upon the mountains & take time to reconnect with their soul.
We strive to make every guest’s ride as memorable as possible,
however, the safety & well- being of our guests & horses will always take precedence over the enjoyment of one or two guests.
WELCOME TO THE RANCH
– THURSDAY
- 12 pm – Arrive at the Ranch and Unpack
- 1 pm – Lunch in the Gardens
- 2 pm – Event Briefing and Grounding Exercise
- 2.30 pm – Meet your Equine Partner
- 3 pm – Walk with Mindful Purpose (Ride or walk your Horse)
- 4.30 pm – Mindful Observation of Self / Horse
- 5 pm – Feed / Water your Horse
- 6 pm – Drinks on the Ranch House verandah
- 7 pm – Traditional Karoo Dinner
MOUNTAINS OF REFLECTION
– FRIDAY
- 6 am – Wake up
- 6.30 am – Quiet time while watching the Sunrise
- 7 am – Coffee & Rusks on the Ranch House verandah
- 7.30 am – Learning from Herd Dynamics
- 10 am – Open camp-fire Breakfast
- 12 pm – Self Reflections / Rest / Optional Individual Consultations
- 1 pm – Lunch in the Ranch Gardens
- 2 pm – Free time / Rest / Optional Individual Consultations
- 4 pm – Ride to Letting-Go Ceremony
- 5 pm – Feeding & Watering of Horses
- 7 pm – Traditional Karoo Dinner
MOUNTAINS OF ANCIENT WISDOM
– SATURDAY
- 6 am – Wake up
- 6.30 am – Quiet time while watching the Sunrise
- 7 am – Coffee & Rusks on the Ranch House verandah
- 7.30 am – Saddle-up and head to the Mountains of Ancient Wisdom
- 10 am – Open camp-fire breakfast in the Mountains
- 12 pm – Return to the Ranch House
- 1 pm – Lunch in the Ranch Gardens
- 2 pm – Free time / Rest / Optional Individual Consultations
- 3 pm – Ride to the Look-out Point
- 5 pm – Set New Intentions and Release your Horse into the Mountains
- 7 pm – Traditional Karoo Dinner
SAYING FAREWELL
– SUNDAY
- 8 am – Relax and Sleep in
- 8.30 am – Ranch Breakfast
- 9.30 am – Pack up
- 10 am – Say Goodbyes & Drive Home
DRESS CODE
For practical stock handling & photographic purposes a strict dress code is adhered to.
There is a small shop on the ranch that stocks various items.
It is however, advised that you bring your gear that is well worn in.
PERMITTED
- Jeans
- Leather Shoes/Boots
- Denim or Navy Shirts
- Wide Brimmed Hats
- Neutral Scarves
- Neutral Jackets/Coats
- Leather Accessories
NOT PERMITTED
- Check / Plaid Shirts
- Caps/Beanies
- Sneakers/Takkies
- Loud Brands
- Bright Colours
- Plastic Accessories
- Plastic Water Bottles
PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY
During our events a professional photographer is tasked with photographing the event.
This imagery is then given to guests as a gift, as a fond reminder of their time spent at KAROO RANCHING.
Guests are invited to embrace the experience, the dress code suggested and be fully present without needing to snap away on their cell phones.
For this reason, we kindly request that no cell phones are used outside of the ranch accommodation.
Wi-Fi access is only available in the ranch accommodation too.
WHAT TO BRING
Below is a suggested packing list for your visit to the ranch:
- Riding Helmet
- Rancher hat
- Sunscreen
- 6 – 8 x Re-hydration sachets
- 2 -3 x pairs of comfortable jeans
- 2 -3 x neutral collared shirts
- 1 x neutral coloured coat
- 1 x pair of leather boots
Comfortable Clothes
Slippers
Book
GENERAL INFO
- Events take place in the Graaff– Reinet district, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Location pins are provided upon booking confirmation
- Suitable for both experienced & inexperienced riders
- 90kg weight limit for riders
- Minimum age 21 years
- Above average fitness levels are required of riders
- For practical purposes a dress code is adhered to
- Signing of public liability forms are compulsory
- Bookings: info@karooranching.co.za
2026 DATES
The following KAROO RANCHING Leadership Resets will take place in 2026:
- 25 – 28 June 2026 – (7 x spots still available)
** If you would like us to add you to the WAITING LIST, in case of a cancellation, kindly email us at info@karooranching.co.za to do so.
2026 RATES
NON-SOUTH AFRICAN CITIZENS
- First-Time Ranchers – $3 200 USD per person excl. VAT
- Returning Ranchers – $3 100 USD per person excl. VAT
SOUTH AFRICAN CITIZENS
- First-Time Ranchers – R31 500 ZAR per person excl. VAT
- Returning Ranchers – R29 500 ZAR per person excl. VAT
- Duration – 3 nights & 4 days
- Includes all food, ranch accommodation, ranching activities, professional consultations, workshops and photography
- Excludes transport to/from ranch and alcohol
- Guests are welcome to bring their own alcohol or ask us to arrange it for them
- 50% deposit is required to secure a booking
DEPOSIT & CANCELLATION POLICY
DEPOSIT POLICY
- A 50% deposit is payable within 48 hours of making the reservation to guarantee or confirm the reservation.
- If the 50% deposit is not received by KAROO RANCHING, the reservation will be cancelled.
- The balance is payable 30 days prior to arrival.
- If the reservation is made less than 30 days prior to arrival, 100% payment is payable within 48 hours of making the reservation to guarantee or confirm the reservation.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Due to the highly specialised & exclusive nature of our offering:
- 20% cancellation fee is applicable on all cancellations.
- 50% cancellation fee is payable if reservation is cancelled less than 60 days prior to arrival.
- 100% cancellation fee is payable if reservation is cancelled less than 30 days prior to arrival.
- Refunds: No refunds are allowed for late arrivals or early departures
- All other costs incurred are payable on the last day of the guest stay.
LOCATION
KAROO RANCHING is based near the town of
Graaff–Reinet in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa.
Simply type KAROO RANCHING – ELANDSKLOOF RANCH into Google Maps –it should take you directly there.
