We (Robert & Tessa Swarthout) built 7 Oaks Stables in the metro Atlanta  area to bring a luxury equestrian experience focused on the western way of life to the region. Tessa's full-time focus on barrel racing and futurity training highlighted the need for a world-class facility right here in our backyard.

From a deeply personal perspective, this project has been a dream years in the making for both of us. Growing up with a passion for horses, Tessa has dedicated her career to the high-stakes world of barrel racing—training young prospects for futurities and competing at top levels. Living in the Atlanta area, we saw firsthand how limited options were for serious western discipline riders: many had to trailer long distances to facilities in rural Georgia or out-of-state venues, dealing with inconsistent care, crowded arenas, and environments that didn't always prioritize individualized horse welfare. We wanted to change that.

For Robert, supporting Tessa's passion became a natural extension of their shared life. After years in tech and entrepreneurship, building something tangible and community-oriented felt incredibly rewarding—creating a serene oasis amid the hustle of metro Atlanta where horses could thrive in ample green pastures shaded by ancient oaks, rather than confined urban lots. We envisioned a boutique stables that combined premium amenities (like spacious turnouts, high-quality footing, and dedicated training spaces) with a family-like atmosphere, where every horse gets personalized attention.

The decision to locate in Cobb County—near Smyrna, Mableton, and Austell—stemmed from our own roots here. It's close enough to home for daily involvement, yet offers that peaceful, semi-rural escape with room to expand thoughtfully. We poured our hearts into designing it as a place not just for training winners, but for building lifelong bonds between horses, riders, and our team.