Las Vegas estate with horse arena lists for $1.895M

An award-winning dressage rider, Linda Montgomery, has spent most of her life with horses.

“I saw a mounted police officer when I was 3 years old,” said Linda Montgomery. “And I was hooked.”

When she immersed herself in the art of dressage riding in her early twenties, Montgomery’s growing passion culminated in participating in state championships.

“Dressage is a form of English riding,” she said. “I rode as an adult amateur and competed every month in San Diego, the nation’s most competitive dressage course.”

As her passion for riding grew, so did the need for additional space. In 1997, Montgomery and her husband, Nield, bought a two-acre equestrian property at 8825 W. La Madre Way in northwest Las Vegas.

“We had a horse property where South Point is today,” said Nield Montgomery. “And we needed something bigger because we expanded Linda’s horse collection.”

The couple bought the property with the intention of converting the existing areas and rope systems into an Olympic dressage hall and facilities for their horses.

“The estate was built for a man who had two sons who rode competition ropes,” said Nield Montgomery.

Linda Montgomery designed the 20 by 60 meter arena together with dressage expert Gerhard Politz.

“This is a great setup for someone who wants to be in high performance dressage,” said Linda Montgomery. “It’s perfect for that.”

The couple began the renovation by removing existing cattle slides, bays and related facilities. The floor was then reworked and layered with high quality material to create the specific stand required for dressage.

“The (dressage) movements are very strenuous on a horse’s joints and ligaments,” says Nield Montgomery. “And if you don’t have the right grip, you run the risk of serious injuries or the long-term destruction of the horse’s competitiveness.”

A grading company leveled the entire area of ​​the arena, compacted and sealed the ground to protect it from stones and moisture. After sealing, topsoil mixed with Nike tennis shoes was layered on top of the base.

“The way a horse moves on really good legs is so different,” said Linda Montgomery. “They actually take Nike tennis shoes and grind them up. The mix comes in huge 6-foot by 6-foot pallet containers. When it mixes with the dirt, it’s like stepping on a pillow. “

Linda Montgomery surrounded the arena in 160-foot, commercial-quality mirrors.

“You develop movements that require your shoulders, back and hips to be in specific areas,” said Linda Montgomery of dressage training a horse. “So with the mirrors you can see exactly what position they are in. It’s a really great training aid. “

For additional security, a welded pipe railing and a commercially available mercury vapor lighting system were installed around the arena.

The couple installed a Eurowalker, a four-panel system designed to provide exercise or rehabilitation for the horses.

“Think of it as a treadmill for the horses,” said Nield Montgomery. “It has a variable speed motor and can be set to a specific number of revolutions via a timer.”

Over the years, Linda Montgomery has owned 12 horses, but prefers German warmbloods. The pair currently own four of the prestigious breed; Donner Bay, Inselman, Stiefmeister and Desi. She bought all four horses unseen from breeders in Germany and had them fly to the USA in boxes.

German warm-blooded animals are traditionally larger, so Linda Montgomery designed and built a 2,000-square-foot barn specifically for the larger scale. She has set up space for seven horses with spacious boxes, voluminous ceiling surfaces and air conditioning.

“The existing stable on the property was designed more for western horses, which are usually smaller,” said Linda Montgomery. “My big ones weren’t that comfortable.”

A manager’s office in the center of the barn displays a sizable collection of bows showing her success as a horsewoman.

“I haven’t lost much,” said Linda Montgomery with a laugh. “I was pretty competitive. I’ve had a couple of championship years and I’m proud of that. “

A lawn edging was added in front of the new barn to make room for the spectators. Over the years, Linda Montgomery has hosted several events in the arena, including monthly clinics with experts such as dressage master / trainer Steffen Peters and Conrad Schumacher, one of the world’s leading dressage trainers.

The couple kept the existing smaller barn as storage. According to Nield Montgomery, the entire exterior renovation project took over three months and cost between $ 150,000 and $ 200,000.

In addition to its incredible equestrian facilities, the 7,630-square-foot custom-built property is designed for luxurious, simple living. The home has eight bedrooms including a private master suite and separate staff rooms and eight baths, custom cherry woodwork, coffered ceilings, and a custom five tier chandelier.

“The size of the rooms is a key characteristic,” said Linda Montgomery. “It’s a comfortable home.”

A spacious, functional floor plan flows from the grand foyer to the formal living with 33-foot ceilings to the elevated formal dining area. It also boasts an executive office with cherry wood built-ins and bay window seating and a basement playroom with kitchen.

The 1,000 square foot guest house has two bedrooms, one bathroom, fully equipped kitchen, laundry room and an attached two-car garage.

“The guest house is fully equipped for a family to live comfortably,” said Nield Montgomery. “And to serve as a support on the property.”

The kitchen on the main level is equipped with professional stainless steel appliances, generous countertops, custom-made cupboards, a central preparation island and plenty of storage space. A series of windows offer views of the lush exterior and horse farms.

“I’ll miss the view of the horses from the kitchen,” said Linda Montgomery. “Every morning they stand and wait for the lights to come on. I swear they’ll listen to the coffee machine. “

Perimeter seating along a large counter, breakfast nook, and expansive great room provide simple entertainment.

Curved wooden doors provide access from the kitchen to the resort-like exterior. The lush space features a voluminous pool with a waterslide and waterfall, a spa, and a covered entertainment area with an outdoor kitchen.

In the 24 years of their lives in the house, the couple has hosted parties and other non-equestrian events, including an event for Christian men and a wedding.

“It’s a wonderful home to entertain and live in,” said Linda Montgomery. “There are several ways in and out of rooms so that people can move around easily.”

Their five children and nine grandchildren have grown up and the couple is ready for a new chapter. They said they had decided it was time to downsize to a single story home.

The exquisite equestrian property is listed for $ 1.895 million through Nebi Adhanom of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, Nevada Properties.

The property was difficult to sell, but the couple found a home near the farm that Donner Bay and Inselman will be relocating to. Your younger horses Desi and Stepmaster will move to a Californian facility and will continue to compete in dressage.

“This house is an equestrian lifestyle,” said Linda Montgomery. “It was a dream for me.”

Equestrian properties in Las Vegas make up 4.9 percent of southern Nevada property for sale.

“We have more riding zones in southern Nevada than people think,” said Forrest Barbee, agent for BHHS, Nevada Properties. “There are currently 166 horse properties divided into zones from 3,380 offers available.”

According to Barbee, 251 single-family homes of 1 or more acres were sold on the market this year with an average of 61 days.

“That’s really good,” said Barbee. “The average days in the market for all homes sold over $ 1 million that year was 59 days.”