About Diamond K
Diamond K is operated in Missouri by two families, Kevin and Marybeth Raber and the Hostetlers. We’ve been in business together for several years, and we’ve known each other much longer. And now, we’d like to get to know you, and for you to get to know us.
Kevin Raber was horseback riding before he could walk. It was in his blood, with both his father and grandpa in the horse business. He knew from childhood that he wanted to follow in their footsteps and start his own horse venture. His future wife, Marybeth, shared that dream as she grew up. Eventually Kevin and Marybeth met, married, and started Diamond K with the Hostetler family in Missouri.
The Hostetlers live and run cattle on a 1,300-acre ranch in the Ozark hills. Full-time trainers accustom our horses to working ranch life. They learn to be comfortable around kids, dogs and cattle, trail-ride through outdoor terrain such as creeks and hills, and learn all the other scenarios found on a working ranch. Simultaneously, their arena training is maintained and built upon. Together with the Rabers, we complete a checklist of training requirements to get each horse prepped for sale.
Kevin Raber was horseback riding before he could walk. It was in his blood, with both his father and grandpa in the horse business. He knew from childhood that he wanted to follow in their footsteps and start his own horse venture. His future wife, Marybeth, shared that dream as she grew up. Eventually Kevin and Marybeth met, married, and started Diamond K with the Hostetler family in Missouri.
The Hostetlers live and run cattle on a 1,300-acre ranch in the Ozark hills. Full-time trainers accustom our horses to working ranch life. They learn to be comfortable around kids, dogs and cattle, trail-ride through outdoor terrain such as creeks and hills, and learn all the other scenarios found on a working ranch. Simultaneously, their arena training is maintained and built upon. Together with the Rabers, we complete a checklist of training requirements to get each horse prepped for sale.
Meet Our Team
Kevin Raber
A Legacy of Horsemanship and Unmatched Care at Diamond K
At a young age, Kevin’s heart was set on horseback. His passion for horses was inspired by the legacy of his grandfather and father, who instilled in him the values of hard work, dedication, and an unwavering love for these majestic animals. Pursuing his dream with determination, Kevin became a standout in the horse training community, achieving remarkable milestones such as being the 2019 and 2022 Horseman’s Mission Colt Starting Champion and securing victories in prestigious events like the 2021 and 2022 Congress Freestyle Reining competitions.
Kevin’s journey is marked by a series of impressive accomplishments, including a third-place finish in the 2019 Missouri Mules Makeover and earning the title of Premier Horse Sales Best of Texas Trainer of the Year in 2022. He is also a proud winner of numerous local ranch, reining, and trail riding shows, showcasing his versatile talent and deep connection with horses.
At Diamond K, Kevin is dedicated to providing top-of-the-line care for his horses, ensuring they are in the best possible environment to thrive. His commitment extends to creating a positive, supportive atmosphere for his team, fostering growth and excellence in everything they do. Above all, Kevin is passionate about helping his clients find the perfect horse, one that meets their needs and exceeds their expectations, making every match a success.
Kevin’s journey is marked by a series of impressive accomplishments, including a third-place finish in the 2019 Missouri Mules Makeover and earning the title of Premier Horse Sales Best of Texas Trainer of the Year in 2022. He is also a proud winner of numerous local ranch, reining, and trail riding shows, showcasing his versatile talent and deep connection with horses.
At Diamond K, Kevin is dedicated to providing top-of-the-line care for his horses, ensuring they are in the best possible environment to thrive. His commitment extends to creating a positive, supportive atmosphere for his team, fostering growth and excellence in everything they do. Above all, Kevin is passionate about helping his clients find the perfect horse, one that meets their needs and exceeds their expectations, making every match a success.
Marybeth Raber
A Dedicated Force in Reining and Ranch Riding
Marybeth Raber’s passion for horses ignited early on in her life. This early exposure laid the foundation for her impressive career in equestrian sports, particularly in reining, ranch riding, and versatility ranch work. Her dedication to reining is evident from her notable achievements, including qualifying twice for the prestigious Run for a Million Rookie Championships. In addition to her success in reining, Marybeth applies her unique abilities in training horses in ranch riding and ranch work.
Her expertise spans a range of disciplines, demonstrating her ability to adapt and excel in various aspects of equestrian training. Her work in ranch riding highlights her deep understanding of horse handling and her capability to manage diverse tasks with skill and efficiency. Her involvement in ranch riding and versatility ranch work reflects her passion for all facets of equestrian life and her dedication to developing well-rounded, capable horses. Her career is a testament to her unwavering dedication, versatility, and excellence in the sport.
Marybeth Raber continues to be a respected figure in the equestrian community, embodying the values of hard work and passion in every aspect of her career.
Her expertise spans a range of disciplines, demonstrating her ability to adapt and excel in various aspects of equestrian training. Her work in ranch riding highlights her deep understanding of horse handling and her capability to manage diverse tasks with skill and efficiency. Her involvement in ranch riding and versatility ranch work reflects her passion for all facets of equestrian life and her dedication to developing well-rounded, capable horses. Her career is a testament to her unwavering dedication, versatility, and excellence in the sport.
Marybeth Raber continues to be a respected figure in the equestrian community, embodying the values of hard work and passion in every aspect of her career.
The Hostetler Family
The Hostetler’s don’t remember a time without horses. They grew up working their dad’s horses on the family farm, but starting in the late ‘90s, they pooled their resources to invest in Quarter Horse colt prospects, training and selling them into the performance horse industry. Their colts sold well at top-end horse sales, and they began to build individual horse businesses as well.
In 2015, they formed an official partnership between five of the boys— Chester, Kenny Jr, Cody, Canyon, and Kelly—and their dad Ken. They started focusing on reining horse geldings, buying young horses with good hearts and attitudes and finessing them into hard-working ranch or show horses.
But the Hostetler’s still weren’t operating at full potential, and that’s when they met Kevin Raber and his skill sets that included not only horsemanship but marketing. And Kevin liked the Hostetler structure and vision. They both shared a passion for providing once-in-a-lifetime horses, as well as building relationships with people across the country. They both believed that together, they could do more. They formed Diamond K and went into business together.
In 2015, they formed an official partnership between five of the boys— Chester, Kenny Jr, Cody, Canyon, and Kelly—and their dad Ken. They started focusing on reining horse geldings, buying young horses with good hearts and attitudes and finessing them into hard-working ranch or show horses.
But the Hostetler’s still weren’t operating at full potential, and that’s when they met Kevin Raber and his skill sets that included not only horsemanship but marketing. And Kevin liked the Hostetler structure and vision. They both shared a passion for providing once-in-a-lifetime horses, as well as building relationships with people across the country. They both believed that together, they could do more. They formed Diamond K and went into business together.
Why Diamond K?
Our horses are carefully selected for soundness, training, and personality. We provide them with the best possible care and training. We are proud of the horses we offer, and we promise to never bring anything but the best we can! We strive to ensure the horse and rider are the perfect fit. We highly encourage all potential buyers to come meet us, the horses, and take them for a test ride.
Utilizing God-given talent honed by years of experience, as well as a strong horsemanship-based program, Kevin and Marybeth focus on creating well-rounded, well-minded horses that are ready for any challenge. Diamond K horses have been shown and used for ranch work and trail riding. They’re accustomed to being ridden in the arena and outdoors. They’re steady, calm, and willing, trained to carry their rider safely through any scenario. And most importantly, they’ve learned all of this in a trust-based environment designed to build horse and rider partnerships.
Our unique approach to the relationship between horse and client is just that: a relationship. The personality and needs of both horse and buyer are taken into consideration before a sale, almost a match-making service. If you’re thinking of buying a Diamond K horse, we want to get to know you and for you to get to know us. We really do believe in providing a forever horse—the Ride of Your Life—and invest time and effort to make it happen. To ensure the bond with your horse stays strong, we offer maintenance training for both horses and owners whenever needed. It’s a model that has built trust with clients all over the nation.
Utilizing God-given talent honed by years of experience, as well as a strong horsemanship-based program, Kevin and Marybeth focus on creating well-rounded, well-minded horses that are ready for any challenge. Diamond K horses have been shown and used for ranch work and trail riding. They’re accustomed to being ridden in the arena and outdoors. They’re steady, calm, and willing, trained to carry their rider safely through any scenario. And most importantly, they’ve learned all of this in a trust-based environment designed to build horse and rider partnerships.
Our unique approach to the relationship between horse and client is just that: a relationship. The personality and needs of both horse and buyer are taken into consideration before a sale, almost a match-making service. If you’re thinking of buying a Diamond K horse, we want to get to know you and for you to get to know us. We really do believe in providing a forever horse—the Ride of Your Life—and invest time and effort to make it happen. To ensure the bond with your horse stays strong, we offer maintenance training for both horses and owners whenever needed. It’s a model that has built trust with clients all over the nation.