Wild Heart Adventures

09/23/2023

Wild Heart Adventures
An all women weekend getaway

Nov 16-19

A 4 day/3 night all inclusive horsewoman's getaway

This will be a weekend where you can take a deep breath and let go of all the things you think you "should be" and embrace who you were meant to be. There is something quite special about being with a group of women who want to learn, grow, share, and support each other, and because of this, you will be empowered in ways that will change you forever.

No matter what discipline you and your horse partner in, from trail riding, reining, barrel racing, ranch work, cutting, english, dressage, equitation..... this experience will greatly improve your connection.

Participants will stay at The Stage Stop Inn in the beautiful and quaint town of Patagonia, horses will stay at our own Double Staple Ranch a short two miles away.

Getaway includes:
~A private room at the Stage Stop Motel
~Spacious covered horse pens at the Double Staple Ranch
~All breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks. Special dietary needs accomadated
~A welcome gift bag
~An evening at the local favorite winery and restuarant, The Queen of Cups
~Individualized horsemanship with Heather Irbinskas
~Lifemanship and connection with Dawn Lewis and crew.
~Trail rides with beautiful views.
~Campfire chats and relaxing in a hot tub
~A beautiful full color workbook to jot down notes and refer to once back home
~A framed and personalized Wild Heart Photo Gallery as a keepsake
~Camaraderie with a group of women brought together by their love of horses
~A crew that wants to help you be the best version of yourself

For more info or to book one of our getaways, go to doublestapleranch.com

08/18/2023

A Dawn On Me Moment

I love this picture so much. I don’t know who took it or where it came from so I can’t give photo credit.

This horse is jumping a jump that is ON FIRE and he is looking at the camera as if to say “look how special and fabulous I am”. To me that is incredible. His person taught him that, showed him that he could do big and incredible things without fear and anxiety.

I spent a lot of years in competition on my horses. I was very performance driven, expecting my horses to validate me and my worth depended on how the competition went. I lost my way, I lost myself.

Then I was what I call “ship wrecked” a few years ago and I went completely the opposite direction. I quit competing, turned all my horses out to pasture to live a “natural” life, and when I did engage with them, I had no boundaries, no leadership. I didn’t want to be a bully, I worried that anything I did was bad for them. I listened when people said making horses compete was terrible. I lost my way, I lost myself.

Then I started really listening to my horses. REALLY STARTED LISTENING to what THEY were saying. THEIR input. They missed me. They wanted to be with me. They wanted to be in relationship with me. Just a much more balanced version of me. A me that understood what Brene Brown means when she says “Do not shrink, do not puff up, just stand your sacred ground”.

My sacred ground means that the relationship with my horses is real, and messy, and I ask them to do things that they wouldn’t do naturally, like barrel racing, but I now use it as a platform to show them how amazing they are. I listen to them and care deeply about how they feel about what I am asking them to do. It doesn’t come down to me not asking things of them, it’s about how they feel about what I am asking. I want my horses to look like the one in the picture. Confident, self assured, showing off a bit because I have told them in every way possible how simply incredible they are and they believe me.

It’s in the balance of the two ways that I found myself, I found my way.

07/11/2023

A Dawn On Me Moment

I have come to realize that I carry a certain amount of fear in my body at all times when I am riding my horses and especially when I am performing. Once I realized this, I asked myself, why? Why do you carry this fear? Where does it come from?

In my case, the fear I carry is deep and was planted a long time ago. When I first started riding and barrel racing, I wanted to do well. I was surrounded by people that had been riding their whole lives and were very “handy”. I wanted to be this, so I worked hard and took lessons and again, like I said, was blessed to be surrounded with great horse people. The problem was, I didn’t give myself the opportunity to move through the steps with as much time and grace as was needed. I sped thru them. I moved on from step one too soon. I moved to step two before I had become confident and secure at step one, and kept doing this thru all the steps. When you move on too soon, you will always carry a level of fear and anxiety about that step, which then carries thru all the steps. Your heart knows that you aren’t ready to move on, that you are not confident about the current step, but you tell yourself, outside influences tell you, your competitiveness tells you, you compare yourself to others and that tells you, step up - move on - get on with it - and so you do. The anxiety and fear stay in your body, in your heart. It’s always there and creates a way of being that you don’t even realize.

It’s the same way with our horses. When we move on to the next step too soon, before they are completely confident and secure at the current step, they will always carry anxiety about it. Barrel racing is a great example of this. Because it is a speed event we tend to step it up to a speed that neither ourselves or our horses are ready for, so therefore, we both carry anxiety instead of confidence, fear instead of joy.

There is nothing wrong with pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, but you need to do it with a great deal of love and kindness for yourself and your horses. You need to not let outside influences tell you where you should be. Only your heart should be telling you where you should be. Your heart is always right, so listen closely to it.

05/06/2023

Women’s Lifemanship Thru Horsemanship Retreats

Participants and their horses will
stay at the original ranch house of the historic Rocking Chair Ranch, now called the Spirit Tree Inn in Patagonia, Az (https://www.spirittreeinn.com//

This retreat will be a space where you will explore your relationship with yourself and your horse. You will be quided through letting go of all the things you think you “should be” which will allow you to decompress and be empowered in ways that will change you forever.

No matter what discipline you and your horse partner in, from trail riding, reining, barrel racing, ranch work, cutting, english, dressage, equitation..... this retreat will greatly improve your partnership.

Included:
~a private room and bathroom at the Spirit Tree Inn
~Spacious, covered horse pens
~Gourmet breakfasts, picnic lunches and ranch style dinners. Special dietary needs accommodated.
~Thursday- Introduction to Thru Horsemanship
~Dinner around the campfire at the barn
~Friday - trailer to The Double Staple Ranch for a full day of individualized horsemanship with Heather Irbinskas,
lifemanship and connection with Dawn Lewis and crew (Scroll down for bios)and a trail ride that overlooks the beautiful town of Patagonia
~Saturday- trail ride with beautiful views where you and your horse will be seen, supported, and challenged
Dinner at the Wolfnest Ranch, dessert around a fire and relaxation in the hot tub.
~ Lifemanship workbook to jot down notes and memories and to refer to once back home.
~gift bag
~personalized and framed Wild Heart Photo Gallery
~Camaraderie with a group of women, brought together by their love of horses.
~A crew that wants to help you and your horse be the best version of yourselves.

If you are interested in attending go to our website
https://www.doublestapleranch.com
to see dates, options, prices and to get signed up!!

photo by kaylalewphotography

04/17/2023

We just wrapped up the last retreat for this season and we are already missing the fabulous women and horses that we get to connect with, grow with and share with. We can’t wait to start back in the fall!! A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for our first retreat season.

04/07/2023

The dates for our fall and spring retreats are out!

Women’s Intentional Horsemanship Retreats

Participants and their horses will
stay at the original ranch house of the historic Rocking Chair Ranch, now called the Spirit Tree Inn in Patagonia, Az (https://www.spirittreeinn.com//

This retreat will be a space where you will explore your relationship with yourself and your horse. You will be quided through letting go of all the things you think you “should be” which will allow you to decompress and be empowered in ways that will change you forever.

No matter what discipline you and your horse partner in, from trail riding, reining, barrel racing, ranch work, cutting, english, dressage, equitation..... this retreat will greatly improve your partnership.

Included:
~a private room and bathroom at the Spirit Tree Inn
~Spacious, covered horse pens
~Gourmet meals and snacks. Special dietary needs accommodated.
~Thursday- Introduction to Intentional Horsemanship while enjoying a charcuterie board meal
~Friday - trailer to The Double Staple Ranch for a full day of individualized horsemanship with Heather Irbinskas,
lifemanship and connection with Dawn Lewis and crew (Scroll down for bios)and a trail ride that overlooks the beautiful town of Patagonia
~Saturday- trail ride with beautiful views where you will be supported and challenged to use the skills you have learned. Dinner at the Wolfnest Ranch, dessert around a fire and relaxation in the hot tub.
~ Lifemanship workbook to jot down notes and memories and to refer to once back home.
~Camaraderie with a group of women, brought together by their love of horses.
~A crew that wants to help you be the best version of yourself.

If you are interested in attending go to our website
https://www.doublestapleranch.com
to see options, prices and to get signed up!!

photo by kaylalewphotography

A space to let go of who you think you “should” be and embrace who you were meant to be.

03/12/2023

The March Retreat is complete and it was amazing. The participants were a group of incredible women. We laughed, we cried, we ate really great food and we spent time with our beautiful horses. What more could anyone ask for?

02/22/2023

We just finished our last retreat and are already gearing up for our next one! One of my favorite things is putting together the workbooks. It’s always a reminder of all that we have learned and how far we have come. ❤️❤️

02/20/2023

We just finished the February Retreat and all I can say is that it was so special. The women that attended came with such open and honest hearts. It was a privilege to be in this moment with them.

01/13/2023

Our new labyrinth is in such a perfect spot. No matter which way you turn the view is beautiful.

11/24/2022

“Life is an opportunity to practice horsemanship”. ~Mark Rashid

11/22/2022

The November Retreat is in the books!! We couldn’t have asked for better weather. It was such a great time of learning, growing and sharing. Thank you to this group of ladies for bringing their authentic selves and their wild hearts.

10/28/2022

Women’s Intentional Horsemanship Retreat:
APRIL 13-16

A 4 day/3 night all inclusive horsewoman's retreat.

Participants and their horses will
stay at the original ranch house of the historic Rocking Chair Ranch, now called the Spirit Tree Inn in Patagonia, Az (https://www.spirittreeinn.com//

This retreat will be a space where you will explore your relationship with yourself and your horse. You will be quided through letting go of all the things you think you “should be” which will allow you to decompress and be empowered in ways that will change you forever.

No matter what discipline you and your horse partner in, from trail riding, reining, barrel racing, ranch work, cutting, english, dressage, equitation..... this retreat will greatly improve your partnership.

Cost: $850 per person and includes:
- a private room and bathroom at the Spirit Tree Inn
- Horse pens
- All meals and snacks will be provided by or enjoyed at local favorite hangouts. Special dietary needs accommodated.
~Thursday- Introduction to Intentional Horsemanship and Lifemanship. Dinner at the Spirit Tree Inn
~Friday - trailer to The Double Staple Ranch for a full day of individualized horsemanship with Heather Irbinskas,
lifemanship and connection with Dawn Lewis and crew (Scroll down for bios)
Dinner at the infamous local favorite winery, The Queen Of Cups
~Saturday- trail ride with beautiful views where you will be challenged to use the skills you have newly acquired. Followed by a charcuterie board picnic lunch.
Dinner at the Wolfnest Ranch, dessert around a fire and relaxation in the hot tub.
~ Lifemanship workbook to jot down notes and memories and to refer to once back home.
~Camaraderie with a group of women, brought together by their love of horses.
~A crew that wants to help you be the best version of yourself.

If you are interested in attending go to our website
https://www.doublestapleranch.com
and get signed up!!

photo by kaylalewphotography

10/24/2022

My heart is so full and grateful this morning. The October Retreat is in the books and it was so awesome. The ladies that attended were all such beautiful human beings and we all learned and shared and grew. The weather was beautiful and the time we spent together was magical. All I can say is thank you.

09/14/2022

This is the beautiful cottonwood tree that is the inspiration of The Spirit Tree Inn. It is 200 years old and when you sit under it you can feel it’s presence, it’s energy, it’s wisdom. I think that God sits under this tree sometimes and says “It is good”.

09/01/2022

‘A DAWN ON ME MOMENT’
I would like to have a relationship where my horse chooses to be with me. In order for this to happen I must be a safe place. I now realize that being a safe place means accessing all the parts of myself. Sometimes being soft and fuzzy but sometimes being a warrior. Sometimes being the one who follows but sometimes standing up to lead. If they’re looking for reassurance let them come in but if they’re looking to be a bully set a boundary. This means being aware enough to understand what they need, and what I need in any given moment. Isn’t this the same with our human relationships as well?

08/15/2022

‘A Dawn On Me Moment’
I notice that a question that gets asked and talked about a lot in the world of horses is “How do I keep myself from getting so nervous that I, in turn, get my horse so nervous?” I have asked myself this question a lot as well, and I believe that the answer lies not so much in what we do at the competition, event, trail ride . . . but more in what we do every day. I also hear a lot of people say that when they go into compete or participate, they “leave their brain at the gate” or freeze up and they can’t remember anything that they were supposed to do.
Well this is completely normal and everybody does it because when your adrenaline gets pumping, your sympathetic nervous system kicks in and your brain shuts down and you just react. You don’t rise to the occasion, you drop to your level of training. You have to start off practicing controlling your emotions your thoughts and your energy as a daily practice. Then start practicing them when you’re stressed at work, in an argument, or when life gets hard, so then when you enter the gate for competition, start on your trail ride, take a lesson . . . you will be prepared to control your energy your emotions and your thoughts because that’s what you’ve practiced every day. You don’t get good at something by practicing it only when you really need it.

Photo courtesy of Lisa Buck

06/08/2022

About our clinician, Heather Irbinskas:
Heather and her brother Scott Raftery grew up in a boarding and training stable owned by their father Bill Raftery. Bill was a Horsemanship Instructor in the Cavalry before it was dismounted in 1942 so this type of instruction is what influenced both Heather and Scott (who is a cutting horse trainer). Heather went on and was married to Jonas Irbinskas for 35 years (until his passing) and was an equal partner in their stables. Jonas was brought to the United States after WWII where he was employed by Col. Wofford and trained over 22 horses that went on to the Olympics. Even though Jonas won 4 Olympic Trials in both jumping and Eventing, he was not allowed to participate because of being a paid professional. Heather loved eventing and jumping, but Dressage was her real passion. She spent decades training horses for the love of it. Besides Dressage, she competed in eventing, jumping, reining, western riding, trail...anything that perked her interest in training.
She trained 13 horses to the FEI level (5 to Grand Prix) and won her Gold Medal in Dressage. On the TB, Eight's Last, she won 7 events and the Regional Championship at Training Level, Eight's daughter Hologram went on to win the Region in Novice Level Eventing in 1993. On Gambler's Anonymous, she won 1993 SAILA Circuit Champion in Jr. Reining. On Mighty Deckabo, she won 1986 Reserve Champion Jr. Trail and Western Riding for AQHBA. On Mohammed, she won the 1994 Best of America's Horse in the Nation for USDF at the Grand Prix level.
Her passion and love for training horses was something that all her horses felt from her. She always felt the horses should enjoy the process as much as she did as it was a partnership. She no longer trains but is very happy to help others be the best that they can be in their partnership with their equine friend.

05/20/2022

I have been riding horses since I was 10 years old and training barrel horses for 28 years. I have been blessed by God with incredible horses and amazing people that have helped, and continue to help me learn, grow and become the best version of myself. Wild Heart Adventures was born as a place to share and experience those “aha” moments. You know, those moments that speak to your soul and change you forever? I call these moments, ‘Dawn On Me’ moments. Pun very much intended 😂 Stay tuned!!
Dawn