Located 75 miles northwest of Phoenix, Arizona in the heart of the Sonoran Desert between the Bradshaw Mountains and the Yucca Flats is the exquisite 20,000-acre Rancho de Los Caballeros resort. Named for its 75-year tradition of “gentlemen on horseback,” the pristine destination is renowned for equestrian adventures. With a herd of 85 steeds, a recently rebuilt corral and professional wranglers, the ranch welcomes guests to channel their inner cowboy –or cowgirl– by learning the basics or sharpening their riding skills during a luxury ranch getaway.
Paired with a horse based on personality and individual level of experience, riders enjoy a two-hour guided excursion through the breathtaking landscape. While beginners are recommended to try slower nature rides where they’ll be taught all about the surrounding desert flora and fauna, intermediate and advanced riders can take the longer, more advanced trails and even lope while traversing the sandy desert floors.
For guests who are keen to find unique and innovative ways to enhance group connectivity, whether that’s looking to develop workplace relationships or rekindle a bond with loved ones, the ranch, in partnership with globally recognized equine coach and founder of Unbridled Retreats, Devon Combs, offers immersive and transformative equestrian team experiences.
Combs, who specializes in bringing people and horses together in a safe and serene setting where she teaches how to let go of self-sabotage and pick up the reins of life, explains that she and the horses serve as unique trail guides to lead guests back to their intuition so they can finally embrace it. “Horses are highly intuitive and are masters at reading human body language,” she says. “They feel your energy and see the real you, not who you think you ‘should’ be. Horses reflect your true feelings back to you, which will help you reclaim your authentic self and change the way you see yourself forever.”
During her upcoming three-night and four-day men’s retreat from Nov.12-15, Combs guides beginner, intermediate and advanced equestrians to bond with the horses and build trust with them by using grounding and calming techniques that can be applied to real life challenges. Attendees will also have access to a real cowboy and head wrangler who teaches skill-based activities in the tack room, such as how to saddle, bridle, bit and groom the horses. As an exercise in building camaraderie, group members are encouraged to participate in team penning, a tradition that bands riders together as they race to drive steers into a pen in the shortest time possible.
Between time in the saddle and lunch at the resort’s Club Grill, there is still plenty of intentional down time, according to Combs.
She adds that the most rewarding aspect of her work as a therapeutic coach is seeing individuals from all walks of life form a support network of new lifelong friends as a result of connecting on a deeper level during their curated retreat at the ranch.
Beyond these unique horse-centric experiences, Rancho de Los Caballeros offers amenities such as new therapy pools, a world-class Ranch Spa & Wellness Center, an 18-hole championship course, trap and skeet shooting with an instructor, hot air ballooning, Jeep tours, tennis, pickleball, yard games, cooking classes, electric bike rentals, walking trails, the Trading Post Gift Shop and a kids center with morning and evening camps and activities.
Culinary enthusiasts will delight in the variety of on-campus dining establishments from which to choose. The sophisticated Main Dining Room serves breakfast, lunch and dinner in an upscale ranch-style restaurant. Classic breakfast options include French toast or huevos rancheros and for lunch, enjoy the taco bar, tortilla-crusted chicken with a tequila-lime butter sauce or Mexican seabass. The formal dinner menu offers selections such as seared Hokkaido scallops and decadent mushroom tarts.
For a casual lunch, pull up a chair at The Grill attached to the Pro Shop and try the sharable Yucca quesadillas, rancho nachos and the trio dip with guacamole, salsa roja and queso.
Another laid-back spot is the western-style Saloon with happy hour specials such as brisket and cheddar sliders, chicken bacon ranch flatbread or Wickenburg hot tenders.
Alternatively, with a stunning desert view as the backdrop, restaurant 19 showcases farm-fresh, seasonal ingredients in its dishes such as venison gnocchi, prime sirloin, pork Tomahawk and juniper lamb chops. Pair any of the above with a handcrafted cocktail or choose a favorite vintage from the 2,000-bottle wine cellar.
Guests are also invited to participate in the Lunch & Ride out to the resort’s cookout site, where they’ll enjoy a cowboy-inspired barbecue complete with a beer, wine and a bloody Mary bar. The Caballeros dinner under the stars promises a night filled with entertainment and activities, such as gathering around the campfire to hear the ranchers tell old tales, al fresco dining amongst family and friends, listening to live music, imbibing at the full bar, axe throwing, fire-whipping and boot branding with the property’s traditional Sun-C logo.
After a full day of exploration, retreat to a private sanctuary in the handsome, well-appointed Casitas. Designed around panoramic desert views, the interiors, which are reminiscent of the Ralph Lauren western style, are outfitted with tiled flooring, Mexican-style handcrafted furnishings upholstered in brown and rust leather and kilim, as well as unique art depicting scenes from around the property.
To make a reservation at Rancho de Los Caballeros, visit ranchodeloscaballeros.com/ and to learn more about scheduling a retreat with Combs, go to unbridledretreats.com.