Nourish your soul and your love for horses with with our Sweet Retreat, in collaboration with The Trendy Pony.
Curated exclusively for women, by women, Sweet Retreats is where joy becomes a ritual and nature serves as our wellness sanctuary. At Sugar Beach Ranch, we cherish the art of slow living and providing everyone with soul-enriching experiences that go beyond the ordinary. For the first time, we're introducing our exclusive horse retreats, that explore the profound healing power of Equine Wellness.
Knowing yourself is life’s eternal homework—so why not make this the year you prioritise your well-being?
At this remarkable three-day retreat, you’ll find the space to ground yourself—without compromising on comfort or beauty. Nestled between the sea and the paddocks, Sugar Beach Ranch is a sanctuary where mindfulness meets barefoot luxury.
We invite you to slow down, be present, and reconnect—with yourself, with others, and with nature. While we honour stillness and reflection, we also believe in joy, laughter, and the healing power of play.Our commitment to sustainable living extends beyond the land—we nurture mental clarity and spiritual wellbeing, too.
Again and again, we witness how the ocean breeze, wide open skies, and gentle presence of our horses help people release what's weighing them down.If you're longing for calm, clarity, and a soft reset, this retreat offers dedicated guidance to help regulate your nervous system and gently unearth what no longer serves you.
A RETREAT WITH A DIFFERENCE
A Retreat Like No Other—Inspired by Horses, Nature, and the Strength of Women
In this extraordinary three-day retreat, you’ll be guided by a collective of talented horsewomen and equine professionals through a rich tapestry of horse-inspired activities—from crafting your own horseshoe boot jack to exploring the gentle art of equine connection and whispering to horses.
Horses are at the heart of everything we do. Their presence invites us to slow down, breathe deeply, and stay present.
Through our time with them, we honour the interconnectedness of all living beings and draw on the natural world for teaching, healing, and reflection.
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Your Hosts:
🌾 Stevey Arena
As co-host and custodian of Sugar Beach Ranch, Stevey will welcome you into her beachside home and share the heartfelt story behind the ranch’s creation. Grounded in her family's equine legacy and her deep appreciation for simple living, Stevey brings warmth, wisdom, and care to each guest’s experience—making your stay one to remember.
🐴 Hannah Darcy – The Trendy Pony
Bringing her beloved ponies, creative spark, and open-hearted leadership, Hannah will co-host the weekend alongside Stevey. Her sessions are filled with fun, vulnerability, and hands-on connection with her horses. She will gently guide you through creative processes and help you rediscover the joy of being in the moment.
Jeanette Buchanan
Jeanette will hold our daily women’s circles—a quiet, nurturing space to reflect, share, and simply be. With horses woven gently into these sessions, you’ll experience a journey of self-acceptance, realisation, and inner growth. Her presence creates a sanctuary for you to retreat inward and return to yourself.
David Kennedy – Farrier
David will share his deep knowledge of hoof care and the foundational importance of a horse’s foot. In this engaging, hands-on session, you’ll learn to make your own boot jack using a horseshoe—an earthy keepsake to take home. For those seeking a quieter moment, alternative options like horseshoe painting, time with the herd, or personal reflection will be available.
Maxime Willems
A gifted practitioner with a background in Sociology, Education, and Horsemanship, Maxime will gently lead us in a powerful closing session. Drawing from her equestrian and therapeutic training, she’ll guide you through an emotionally attuned experience designed to help regulate your nervous system and bring the retreat to a meaningful close.
“There’s something magical about this place—the ocean, the horses, the stories in the soil. Hosting this retreat is a way to share the joy, the connection, and the legacy my father began. We laugh, we learn, and we leave a little lighter. It’s wellness, but with boots on and the sea breeze in your hair.”
— Stevey Arena, Host of Sweet Retreats at Sugar Beach Ranch
INCLUSIONS
Guests are invited to a variety of activities while having full access to ranch amenities.
Aside from Equine Wellness and lots of ranch-lifestyle experiences, our signature activities are:
Talkin’ Horse
Learn some basics of communicating with horses, a fun opportunity to connect with the horses,
learn how our body language speaks to them and how we can be more aware of how we are
speaking to the world.
Womens Circle
Come together with the support of women in a structured, safe and nurturing private space.
Unload some of your worries, share your dreams and goals and feel supported.
Future Vision Workshop
Get creative about your future in this fun, uplifting session. Discover your dreams, explore ideas
and clarify what intentions you wish to put out into the world.
Equine Assisted Therapy
Learn the magic healing effects that horses can have over us with interesting, enlightening and
educational experience. Wind down from an exciting weekend with this gentle horse experience.
Fire Ceremony
In the warm glow of embers, we discover renewal, and as flames dance, our auras are refreshed. Purified by the elemental magic of the great outdoors.
Formal Dinner on the Beach
On the beautiful beach shore with the sun setting over us we will indulge in a formal womens
dinner. Wear something feminine, you feel comfortable in and dress up to celebrate being a
woman! (weather/beach pending)
Silent Meditation Walk
Wake up and start your day walking in silence by the ocean with the horses accompanying you to
witness one of the most special sunrises of your life.
Farrier Demonstration & Horse Shoe Creative Arts
Experience this exciting and interesting demonstration of the care of horses hooves — feel free to
ask questions on the pros, cons, and differences of horse shoes, barefoot and hoof boots. Make a
horseshoe boot jack to take home.
Get back to nature in luxury glamping tents
Stay in your own private tent just steps away from the beach and communal areas (complete with private bathrooms). Each tent is fully equipped with bedding and essential amenities. For those travelling with friends, we offer shared tents, each with two single beds. Our private tents feature a queen bed for added comfort.
DATES & PRICING
Private (Queen Bed) Tent - $2,199 for 1 person
(Introductory offer - prices are subject to change)
Shared (Two Single Beds) Tent - $4,199 for 2 people
(Only available to friends/family wishing to share a tent)
Friday 19th - Sunday 21st, September 2025
(Maximum of 15 guests per retreat)
T&C'S
While our initial series of retreats is tailored for women, we are actively working towards creating an all-inclusive series in the future. Please don’t hesitate to reach out, and for updates on upcoming retreats please consider signing up to our newsletter.
Please note there is no horse riding involved in these retreats
At Sugar Beach Ranch, we are committed to improving our involvement in the community. With the introduction of our Equine Assisted Therapy in 2022 and Team Wellbeing programs in 2023, our passion lies in empowering individuals to reach their wellness objectives and contribute to a sustainable future.
Horses play a central role in everything we do at the ranch, and we believe there is still much wisdom to learn from these magnificent creatures. To delve into the reasons behind our choice to collaborate with horses, click here.
Alternatively, click the following if you would like to get acquainted with Sugar Beach Ranch, the facilitators, and the man behind the dream, Chris ‘CM’ Murphy.