Rafter77 Arena

My daughter started her barrel racing career 8 years ago with Tammy at Rafter 77 and next year will be a freshman on a Rodeo Scholarship at Southwest Texas College in Uvalde. Tammy started Brooklyn on a great foundation of both horsemanship but also care and maintenance. If you have are wanted to learn about horsemanship Tammy is definitely the one to go see.

Tammy is an amazing lady and treats my kid like shes her own. Her horses are amazing and never fail. My daughter loves the play days and the horses, she has learned so much from her. 1000/100

I want to start by saying that this barn clearly has a structured program and a strong emphasis on fundamentals, which I respect. However, my personal experience left me feeling discouraged rather than supported. I rode at this facility once, and my riding was not observed before assumptions were made about my abilities. I come from an English background and am capable of cantering balanced circles and transitioning between gaits using my seat. Unfortunately, the communication I received felt dismissive and based on generalizations rather than an actual evaluation of me as a rider. My question about learning barrels was asked solely to clarify what I would be learning, as another instructor had explained that lessons do not always include barrel work and may involve other events. I was not asking for shortcuts or expecting to run patterns immediately, but simply wanted to ensure that barrel racing was part of the instruction, as that is my primary goal. This intent appeared to be misunderstood, and the response felt unnecessarily condescending rather than informative. I fully understand that barrel racing requires far more than simply running a pattern, and I never suggested otherwise. However, the way this was communicated made me feel as though my experience, intentions, and willingness to learn were being discounted. In addition, for a lesson priced at $120, I was surprised to be required to perform extensive chores beforehand, including scraping mud off multiple horses, catching them, and tacking them up. While I understand the importance of teaching horsemanship—especially for younger riders—this expectation was not clearly communicated in advance and felt inappropriate given the cost of the lesson. Coaching style and professionalism matter just as much as knowledge. While this program may be a good fit for riders who respond well to very blunt instruction or a working-student-style environment, it was not the right fit for me as an adult rider seeking instruction, encouragement, and value aligned with the price paid. I encourage prospective students to observe lessons or discuss expectations and teaching style ahead of time to ensure it is the right fit for them.

Great place to learn to ride and enjoy horses. I have been taking lessons here for almost a year now, have worked with Tammy the proprietor and several of her trainers. They have all been kind, helpful, and knowledgeable. The horses are sound, responsive, and well cared for. I am 65, my granddaughter who has also taken lessons and attended summer camp here, have different needs, this is not a once size fits all, the team meets you at your level and helps you grow. I trust and enjoy this team so much that I even ask that the team arrange a horse adventure for my family. From beginner to intermediate, all we're safe, had a horse to meet there need, and had a blast! Thank Rafter77!!!!!

Rafter77 is a beautiful, family-oriented and peaceful community for horse lovers and families to attend. The owner and instructor, Tammy Matthews, is highly skilled in horsemanship, equine training and riding. She shares her extensive knowledge with students of ALL backgrounds, including beginner-advanced riders, littles, adults who have never sat in the saddle a day in their life, seniors and disabled individuals. She is the rare gem of a coach you’ve been looking for - her top priority is the safety of her riders and horses. She will protect your kids and actually teach them too. They will learn clear safety boundaries while feeling included and part of a real team. If you’re a parent or adult who’s getting into the horse world and you’re seeing those lesson prices out there, look no further than Rafter77. Prices are unbeatable for how much knowledge you will soak up and how much ride time you get. Tammy maintains a comprehensive, organized and structured program where you or your student will be able to ride at a pace that matches experience and be able to advance through the lesson program. Tammy’s herd of horses are some of the best out there. From bomb-proof lesson horses who will take care of your child with every stride, to advanced horses with more pep in their step and everything in between, they are all extremely well cared for, well-behaved and overall clearly happy. And did I mention there is the opportunity to compete on these horses? Parents out there who don’t feel ready to bring a personal horse home just yet, this is your chance to let your child compete without footing the feed bill! All of her main instructors are bright, knowledgeable young women who excel in the equine world and have trained under Tammy for years. They are fully capable of teaching necessary riding and safety skills. Could not say enough great things about this facility!

I’m so proud to be a part of this facility! The care and love for the horses is beyond exceptional, the property is always beautifully maintained, and the whole team are so caring, dedicated, supportive, and passionate! It is inspiring to be apart of a place that cares so much about the people and horses like Rafter 77.

Rafter77 has given my daughters and I the opportunity to fall in love with horses! And 5 years later, we are still here! From learning about safety, the horse brain, body awareness, bonding with your horse, and competing, to bridging the gap in horse ownership, Tammy has been instrumental in our journey! Her coaching and mentorship go well beyond what she is required to do. If you are looking to start your horse journey or want to better your horsemanship and level up your skills, Rafter77 is the place to be!

I have been taking lessons with Tammy at rafter 77 for almost 2 years now. She has been an absolute blessing in my life! I’ve gained so much confidence and knowledge in my horsemanship skills because of her program and wonderful horses. She takes her time and makes sure that not only you but the horse you are riding are doing things correctly. Safety is her first priority!! Whether you’re an adult or you have a child that truly wants to learn western riding this is the place to go!

Our daughter has taken lessons at Rafter 77 Arena for nearly four years. It has been such an amazing experience to see her grow and gain confidence in riding over the years. All of her instructors have been amazing and really show a passion for what they are doing. Tammy runs a very professional operation!

My daughter and I take riding lessons at Rafter 77. My daughter has been riding with Tammy at Rafter 77 for several years. Her program is top notch. Tammy is a very competent and talented instructor. She has great communication skills and is able to adapt to many different learning styles. Her program is run extremely professional and she is able to cater to many different skill level riders.