Emory, Texas · Personal mentorship

Dare to Be Great Retreat

A month with Gary Leffew.

Step into Gary’s world for a full calendar month of riding, mindset work and life beyond the arena. Learn directly from a World Champion, with coaching shaped around you.

Ask about your month

Beginners welcome. Experienced riders challenged.
Room and board included.

Gary Leffew coaches a rider during horse cross-training outdoors
Horse cross-training with Gary — a look at previous student training.
One full calendar monthRoom & board includedOne-on-one coachingYour level. Your goals.
Gary Leffew with students and family at the ranch
Students and family at the ranch.

More than a school

Live it. Learn it.
Make it your own.

This is time to settle in, build a relationship with Gary and work on what matters to you. Stay in a home environment, share the everyday experience and have space to rest, reflect and enjoy the journey.

You may be stepping into cowboy life for the first time, finding your feet on a bull, or pursuing higher competition goals. Gary meets you where you are and helps you take your next step.

Your retreat is booked for one calendar month — the actual length of the month you choose, whether that is 28, 29, 30 or 31 days.

Coaching that sees the details

Keep your strengths.
Correct what holds you back.

Gary looks closely at your position, timing and habits, identifying the changes you need while preserving what you already do well. Your coaching starts with your ability, your goals and your individual pace.

Set clear goals together, then work through the fundamentals with hands-on instruction and repeated correct practice. Every champion was once a beginner.

Gary gives a helmeted rider personal coaching on horseback
Small adjustments. Personal attention.
Gary coaches a student practicing on a blue training barrel
Understand the correction, then practice the drill with Gary.

Understand your ride

Don’t just do the drills.
Master them correctly.

Video breakdowns help you see what happened and understand what to work on next. Gary connects the footage to the right drills, so practice has a clear purpose.

You receive videos of your rides and demonstrations of your correct drills to revisit after your stay. Leave with a personalized next-step practice plan that keeps your work focused at home.

The mental side

Build the rider
behind the ride.

Confidence, focus and how you respond to a challenge all matter. Spend time on the mental game with Gary through conversation, goal setting, mental drills and meditation practices exclusive to this retreat.

The month allows time to absorb the lessons, ask questions and reflect. The purpose is meaningful progress for you, in and out of the arena.

Gary talks with a student beside the practice chutes
Mentorship continues between training sessions.

Purposeful practice

Build the foundation.
Then put it to work.

Training is selected for your level and readiness, with Gary guiding your progression.

Gary coaches a student sitting on a horse in an indoor arena
Horse cross-training with direct feedback from Gary.
A student practices on a Buck N Ride training device
Practice body position, balance and timing before the next step.

Drills with a purpose

Stationary barrel, drop barrel, Better Barrel and Buck N Ride work help you practice the details of your position and movement. Horse cross-training adds another way to develop feel, balance and coordination.

Experience at your pace

Practice stock and riding gear are available for your training. Beginners build their foundation; intermediate and advanced riders work on the changes that serve their own goals. Riding opportunities depend on readiness and Gary’s guidance.

“Every champion was once a beginner.”
Gary with a group of riders at a professional rodeo event
A previous group experience at a professional event.

Beyond the ranch

See the sport
from the inside.

When Gary travels during your month, you travel alongside him. Your flights and hotels for those trips are covered.

Depending on the calendar and access, opportunities may include PBR and PRCA events, time around professional riders and stock contractors, and visits to pro athletes’ practice pens.

Practice pen fees are covered. If Gary determines you are ready to compete, your competition entry fees are covered too.

Events, introductions, trips and riding opportunities vary with Gary’s schedule, availability and your readiness. Photos show previous experiences.

Enjoy the cowboy life

Make room
for the memories.

The experience reaches beyond training. Possible outings include the Fort Worth Stockyards, The Best Hat Store and Billy Bob’s, with time to enjoy the people, places and culture around the sport.

Alongside the work, there is room for connection, downtime and stories you will take home.

Outings depend on the schedule. Personal purchases and individual outing costs can be discussed when planning your month.

A student has a cowboy hat fitted at The Best Hat Store
A previous student outing to The Best Hat Store.

Your month, clearly explained

What’s included

At home with Gary

  • Room and board for your full calendar-month stay.
  • Personalized coaching, goal setting and mental game work.
  • Retreat meditation practices and time for rest and reflection.
  • Use of training equipment and riding gear.

In the arena and on the road

  • Any Gary Leffew schooling held during your stay, with no additional tuition.
  • Video breakdowns, ride and drill videos, plus your next-step plan.
  • Practice pen fees on visits with Gary.
  • Flights and hotels for trips taken alongside Gary during your month.
  • Competition entry fees when Gary determines you are ready.
Do I need bull riding experience?

No. The retreat welcomes total beginners, people exploring the cowboy experience, and intermediate or advanced riders. Your activities and instruction are tailored to your ability and goals.

Is this a fixed 30-day program?

No. You book a full calendar month. Its length depends on the month you choose, and your dates are arranged directly with the school.

Are flights to and from the ranch included?

Only flights for trips taken with Gary during your month of training are included. Your flights to and from the ranch are not covered.

How do I choose my month?

Contact the school with your preferred month, experience level and goals. We will discuss availability, retreat pricing and arrangements with you directly.

Take your next step

Your month.
Your goals.
Dare to be great.

Tell us where you are starting and where you would like to go. Contact us for retreat availability, pricing and a conversation about your month with Gary.

Text about the retreatEmail the school

Call or text (682) 330-8071

Gary Leffew Bull Riding School · Emory, Texas