Texas is full of ranches, but finding a luxury ranch estate that ticks all the boxes 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.
Rafter 28, cowboys and cowgirls, has it all. The luxury ranch estate on loads of land is half-hour from downtown Fort Worth, on the border of Burleson and Alvarado.
It also comes with celebrity pedigree: It was designed and built by former MLB star Aaron Cook and his wife, Jennifer. Aaron wore the number 28 jersey as a pitcher for the Colorado Rockies. He also pitched for the Boston Red Sox. 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.
Anyone who knows pro athletes knows their drive does not get hung up, it gets refocused. Lucky for Aaron, he met Jennifer on holiday and soon he was in Texas.
Jennifer was raised locally 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, he now competes in cutting horse competitions.
Together they built a dream of a luxury ranch estate in Rafter 28. Jennifer is not only an accomplished horsewoman, but she is also an exceptionally talented interior designer. Imagine Joanna Gaines meets Martha Stewart but with an equestrian twist.
Rafter 28's guest house was built first so they could live there while the equestrian facility was under construction.
When they began designing their home, Jennifer hit the Magnolia 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.
A large living room features reclaimed wooden beams spanning the vast vaulted ceilings and custom bookshelves, plus two remarkable chandeliers and three sets of French doors that lead to the enormous backyard.
The gorgeous chef’s kitchen has unique granite countertops, a large island with a white farmhouse sink, and top-of-the-line stainless steel appliances.
If you have visitors or staff, no problem. The guest apartment has a master suite with a large bathroom, a second loft bedroom, and bath. There is also a studio apartment with a kitchenette.
The estate also includes state-of-the-art equestrian facilities, cattle pastures, and a covered arena. From the listing: "The main barn is connected to the 148x168 sprinkled, covered arena featuring energy efficient LED lighting and 2 Big Ass fans. Whether you are running barrels or working cattle, the arena footing was designed to withstand all disciplines."
A fully insulated 12-stall barn, featuring drop down grills and Ritchie automatic waterers, offers two foaling stalls that are created by moving a dividing wall along the tracks.
Buyers have the option of purchasing the house with 50 acres or 115 acres. Another 300 raw acres surround the property to the east, so privacy is a guarantee.
Kolby Stewart with Christie’s International Real Estate ULTERRE has the listing and will give pricing information upon request. Rafter 28 Ranch is at 9050 Country Road 519, Burleson.
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A version of this story originally was published on CandysDirt.com.
The main home was completed in 2019.
One of several living spaces.Photo courtesy of Compass