Today’s equestrian estates are about far more than a barn and an arena. The most exceptional properties are designed around a complete way of life, with thoughtful flow from stabling to turnout, advanced equine care, and finishes that make the barn feel as considered as the residence. For buyers, it’s less about acreage and more about how every element supports the life they want to live. Megan Watson knows this world from both sides. Raised on the hunter/jumper circuit and still an active competitor, she brings a rider’s perspective to every equestrian property she represents. Compass Luxury and the Sports & Entertainment Division sat down with Megan Watson to discuss how her lifelong roots in the equestrian world shape her approach, the design details defining today’s estates, and where demand for equestrian properties is heading.
You’re deeply engaged in the equestrian community. How have your relationships and involvement within the industry shaped the way you approach luxury real estate?
For me, it has affected not only equestrian real estate but luxury real estate as a whole. There are many pieces of a lifestyle that may play into a luxury purchase. I grew up showing on the hunter/jumper circuit, and I got to experience the variety of needs and priorities in the equestrian world. I still actively compete and engage in the community, which allows me to experience my own priorities and see what others value.
We work with a lot of equestrian clientele who don’t actually want an equestrian property, but want a luxury property that centers around their lifestyle. Factors like nearby barns, training programs, and other community needs come into play even if the property itself isn’t equestrian. This applies to all luxury real estate: finding out what is important to the client and how it integrates into their life, whether that’s golf, skiing, boating, or riding. With equestrians, it’s often the center, and we find ways to slot the rest of the pieces around it.
Equestrian properties are evolving well beyond the traditional barn and arena. What luxury trends are you seeing in how today’s estates are designed, used, and integrated into everyday life?
There’s a focus on functionality and care amenities, such as beautiful tack rooms with rotating walls for ease of use, Theraplates, and Eurocizers. It’s a full look at equine care, not just stabling and turnout. And you can never forget footing!
For today’s equestrian buyer, the property is often as much about lifestyle as it is about horses. How are luxury buyers’ expectations changing when it comes to the land, amenities, and overall experience an estate provides?
It depends on the priorities of the equestrian lifestyle. If it’s competition-focused, the search may center on amenities, whether they want to bring a trainer to the facility, or being close to a training facility. These are goal-oriented considerations.
If it’s more of an estate or ranch lifestyle, the search is more well-rounded: trails, turnout, and access to enjoy the entire lifestyle, including a great outdoor living space overlooking the horses.
Beyond the stable itself, what luxury design features or amenities are defining the most exceptional equestrian estates today?
Security is huge. Gates, containment systems, and video monitoring throughout the stable and property all matter, because the ability to always have eyes on the horses is important. Airflow, built-in fly systems, heating and cooling, and fan systems are also amenities that stand out to buyers.
From a visual standpoint, the estates that stand out are architecturally beautiful farms with incredible finishes throughout, where the barn feels like a luxury home.
When evaluating an equestrian property, what separates a truly exceptional estate from one that simply has equestrian capabilities?
Finishes and amenities, along with a thoughtfully planned facility that considers the flow from stabling to turnout to arenas. Beautiful, smart finishes, safe hardscaping, drainage, and landscaping all play a role. Thoughtful design for the humans matters too, from tack rooms to in-barn bar and lounge spaces. The best barns also have incredible organization systems, so they always stay neat and beautiful.
Wellness has become an increasingly important component of luxury living. How is that trend showing up in the design and amenities of today’s equestrian properties?
Equestrians often put their horses’ wellness above their own. Footing is always a priority, but care and therapeutics are incredibly important too. Hot and cold wash racks are a basic must, and we see everything from Theraplates, red light therapy, and Eurocizers to specialty stall mats with advanced cushioning and climate-dependent air conditioning and heating. The list goes on and on. If we can try it on ourselves, we have it for our horses.
Looking ahead, where do you see demand for equestrian properties heading, and what emerging trends or buyer preferences are surprising you most?
I think equestrian and ranch properties will always be in demand, among equestrians and non-equestrians alike. With the romance of ranch life and the value of the land, luxury acreage will always be desirable.
Honestly, nothing is really surprising in buyer preferences. We all look for better, more luxe ways to integrate our everyday lives with our equestrian lifestyle.