The equestrian property has long been an American tradition. Often set far away from the hustle and bustle of cities, these sweeping ranches and horse farms represent a freer way of life — trotted out on wind-swept grasses and wide-open pastures and forged in long family legacies. Bear Creek Farm, nestled on nearly 17 acres in Woodinville, Washington just 30 minutes outside of downtown Seattle, is one such legacy property with a vibrant equestrian heritage.
Offered on the market for the first time ever, Bear Creek Farm has been owned and operated by a single family for more than 30 years. The family patriarch, Robert Cochran, purchased the acreage in the early 1980s for his daughter, Leigh Cochran-Brewer, a horse lover.
“I was the little girl who always dreamed of having the magical pony that lived in my bedroom,” says Cochran-Brewer, now 50. “The love of horses was in my blood.”
Her father, owner of Cochran Electric, custom-built the elite equestrian facility onsite, which includes boarding for 40 horses and a 90 x 220 square-foot indoor competition arena with a 20m x 60m arena and additional viewing decks. Over-engineered with roughhewn cedar with premium rubber-sand footing, the facility is testament to Mr. Cochran’s eye for detail and craftsmanship. Among its defining features are an oversized spectator seating deck and an upstairs viewing lounge complete with a kitchen and ample storage area for tack trunks. Additionally, he added a dual mist sprinkler system and enhanced electrical and lighting — not a surprise, given Mr. Cochran’s electrical trade. A 19-box stall barn adjoins the arena, complete with a private trainer’s office, tack room and trainer’s grooming stall. There is also a secure and heated boarders tack room with individual lockers.
“He put a lot of care into the construction of the main facilities, and it shows in the craftsmanship,” says Cochran-Brewer, pointing to the handmade stall doors as one of many examples. “He had this vision of creating the finest facility for equestrians and horses. A lot of people would not have gone to the level of detail that he did.”
Co-listing agents Valerie Young and Jennifer Cameron of Coldwell Banker Bain regard Bear Creek Farm as “an uncommon offering” for the Woodinville area. “This is a world-class equestrian property and estate,” explains Young. “It’s a place where competitors become champions, realizing their dreams through discipline, dedication and passion. It provides an incredible opportunity for dressage, hunter-jumper, or multi-discipline professions, and for those with a love of horses looking to create your own family legacy.”
In addition to the equestrian amenities, a two-story, custom-built main house of 2,900 square feet resides on the property. The traditional shingle-style residence was recently renovated and showcases stunning architectural detail. One of the home’s most notable spaces is the grand living and dining area with its relaxed environment and floor-to-ceiling handcrafted sandstone fireplace, where the family often gathered for holidays. “It’s where we all hang out,” says Cochran-Brewer.
Designer touches and an open concept throughout encompasses three bedrooms, two and a half baths, a family room, home office with glass French doors, a professional chef’s kitchen with state-of-the-art appliances and pantry, dining nook and an attached two-car garage. There’s also an additional two-bedroom guesthouse with a three-car garage. Surrounded by beautiful landscaping and fruit trees on the property, the house allows one to sit under the pergola, while keeping a watchful eye on the horses turned out in one of the 14 lush grass paddocks. “It’s everything you want the equestrian lifestyle to be,” adds Cameron.
“If you’re a horse person, it’s the perfect place to be,” says Cochran-Brewer. “Living on the property means you can wake up to the sound of hooves thundering across the pasture and the horses nickering at night. The boarders often make comments like, ‘I might be having a bad day, but as soon as I drive through the gates, my energy relaxes.’ It’s very peaceful.”
Bear Creek Farm’s access to miles of riding trails, an equestrian park and a charming creek at the edge of the property only magnifies this sense of serenity. Over 5,000 wineries in Woodinville Wine Country are also nearby, making it possible to pursue a blend of passions — wine and horses. However, don’t let the estate’s rural ambiance fool you. The property is only 15 minutes from Redmond Town Center and 30 minutes from Bellevue, offering convenient access to Microsoft Campus, Google and nearby SeaTac International Airport.
“You’re close to everything, yet still far enough away that you feel like you have freedom to roam,” says Cameron. “It doesn’t get any better than that. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own equestrian excellence.”
