Meet the husband and wife team behind Stable View, a 1,000-acre equestrian and hospitality venue in Aiken, South Carolina. What began as a training facility for Eventing horses has evolved into a destination for guests seeking equestrian sport, relaxation, and connection. Cyndy and Barry Olliff have worked hard to make each stay feel personal, like being welcomed into a home rather than checking into a faceless rental or horse show facility.

Can you tell us a little bit about your history?

My husband Barry and I own Stable View, a 1,000-acre equestrian and hospitality venue in Aiken, South Carolina. What started as a training facility for Eventing horses has grown into something much larger: a place where people come for equestrian sport, relaxation, and connection. My background had always been in customer service, retail, or restaurant management, so blending those skills into Stable View’s development felt natural.

Were you always in VR or property management, or is this a later career? If later, what did you do before?

Definitely a later career! I didn’t start out in property management; I began in business operations and event coordination. As Stable View evolved, we realized that lodging was a huge part of the guest experience. Riders needed a place to stay, visitors wanted to extend their trips, and before long, we found ourselves running what became a boutique lodging business, with cabins, cottages, and apartments nestled right into the heart of the property. What started as a practical need turned into something I genuinely love.

Are you from the geographical area where your properties are located, or did you move there later? If later, what drew you to that area?

We moved to Aiken from Pennsylvania later in life. We were drawn here for its strong equestrian community, open space, and slower pace. There’s something about Aiken; the longleaf pines, the sandy footing, the sense of history. When we first walked the land that became Stable View, we felt something special. Not long after we purchased the property, I started finding arrowheads, some of which dated back nearly 10,000 years. It confirmed what we already felt, that this was a gathering place long before us. There’s a certain peace here, and it’s something we wanted to share.

What do you love the most about the vacation rental business?

I love the people. Every guest has their own reason for being here; some come to compete, others come for a retreat, a yoga class, or just to disconnect for a weekend. There’s real joy in watching someone step out of their car/truck/RV, look around, and take that first deep breath. We’ve worked hard to make each stay feel personal, like you’re being welcomed into a home rather than checking into a faceless rental or horse showing at a business park.

What do you dislike the most about it?

Probably the same thing that makes it rewarding, the details. Managing multiple properties means there’s always something to fix, clean, restock, or update. It can be a lot, but I remind myself that each small detail, a made bed, a clean porch, good food, adds up to the overall experience. The goal is for guests never to have to think about how much work goes into making it all feel effortless.

How do you use OwnerRez to manage your business?

OwnerRez has been a game-changer for us. We use it to handle everything from reservations and payments to guest communication and scheduling. We use QuickBooks as our bookkeeping platform, and OwnerRez integrates well for easy invoicing. Before we started using it, we were juggling spreadsheets and trying to keep track of everything manually. Now, OwnerRez keeps us organized and connected. It allows our small team to run like a big one.

What is the most useful feature OwnerRez offers?

The automated messaging and calendar syncing are lifesavers. Guests get the information they need right when they need it, and we can focus on being present when they arrive instead of being buried in admin work. It’s like having an invisible assistant who never takes a day off!

Cyndy and Barry have taken their love for people and the equestrian community and turned it into a place for guests to relax and connect. Here at OwnerRez, we look forward to seeing their business continue to evolve and to finding new ways to help their team provide guests with a seamless experience.