Rafter 28 is Both a Luxury Ranch And an Equestrian’s Dream

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Texas is full of ranches, but finding a luxury ranch estate like this one is rare. When it comes to equestrian properties, either the facilities are fantastic and the house leaves a lot to be desired, or it’s the opposite that is true.

This one, cowboys and cowgirls, has it all.

luxury ranch

Don’t be surprised if our ranch market sees an uptick in the next few weeks. It’s an area of real estate that holds steady because it only attracts serious buyers.

However, we have a lot of new buyers out there, with plenty of resources that want to get out of Dodge until the world returns to semi-normal. Rafter 28 is the perfect escape.

luxury ranch

Not Just a Pretty Face

When I say a property has it all, believe me. Let’s tick off those necessities.

First, there is the location. Sure, this luxury ranch estate is on loads of land, but it’s also only a half-hour from downtown Fort Worth. You also have the option of purchasing the house with 50 acres or 115.

Second, those acres include state-of-the-art equestrian facilities, cattle pastures, and a covered arena.

Third, we have a gorgeous house. Imagine Joanna Gaines meets Martha Stewart but with an equestrian twist.

luxury ranch
Reclaimed wood beams span the vast vaulted ceilings.

I figured there was a story behind this home because it’s not what you expect when searching for a luxury ranch estate. When I called up Christie’s International Real Estate ULTERRE, listing agent Kolby Stewart, she gave me the inside skinny.

luxury ranch
Chef’s kitchen with a large island , farmhouse sink stainless steel appliances.

A Celebrity Pedigree

Rafter 28 is not just any old ranch. It’s the brainchild of Jennifer and Aaron Cook. If his name rings a bell, you might be a baseball fan. Aaron wore the number 28 jersey as a major league baseball pitcher for the Colorado Rockies. With 256 major league games under his belt, and with career highlights like pitching Game 4 of the 2007 World Series, and in the 2008 All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium, he hung up his cleats.

luxury ranch

If you know pro athletes, you know their drive does not get hung up, it gets refocused. Lucky for Aaron, he met Jennifer on holiday and before you can say howdy he was in Texas.

Jennifer was raised here and practically grew up on a horse. She’s a competitive barrel racer, so when Aaron showed up on her doorstep she dropped him hip-deep into the horse world, and he’s never looked back. In fact, you’ll now find him in cutting horse competitions!

luxury ranch
luxury ranch

Exceptional Design

Together they built a dream of a luxury ranch estate on the border of Alvarado and Burleson. Jennifer may be an accomplished horsewoman, but she is also an exceptionally talented interior designer.

The guest house was built first so they could live there while the equestrian facility was under construction. When they began designing their home, Jennifer did hit the Silos in Waxahachie but she also checked out junkyards and antique stores. She amassed great items from reclaimed wood beams and rusted tin siding to antique fixtures. She created a timeless, yet completely current home.

The result is 4,171-square-feet of elegant comfort with three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a huge family room, a home office, and endless views of the lush countryside.

If you have visitors or staff, no problem! The main apartment the Cooks lived in while building their home has a master suite with a large bathroom, a second loft bedroom, and bath. There is also a studio apartment with a kitchenette.

There is a 12-stall horse barn, indoor and outdoor arenas and so much more.

Give Stewart a call on pricing because the land is offered at either 50-acres or 115. Another 300 raw acres surround the property to the east, so privacy is a guarantee.

I think it’s evident that Rafter 28 Ranch at 9050 Country Road 519 is an exceptional luxury ranch estate.

Karen is a senior columnist at Candy’s Media and has been writing stories since she could hold a crayon. She is a globe-trotting, history-loving eternal optimist who would find it impossible to live well without dogs, Tex-Mex, and dark chocolate. She covers luxury properties and historic preservation for Candys Dirt.

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