Though the Matsons purchased the estate as a place to relax, its verdant pastures were wonderfully suited to the equestrian goals of the Matsons' married daughter, Lurline Matson Roth. She commissioned a 21-stall barn, stately carriage house, and artistic octagonal-shaped pony barn. The facilities were renowned as an outstanding horse breeding and training facility for champion American Saddlebred and Hackney horses, as well as popular, delightfully high-stepping Hackney ponies. Mrs. Roth's magnificent American Saddlebred mare, Sweetheart on Parade, was the Five-Gaited World's Grand Champion in 1931 and 1932, and her Saddlebred stallion, Chief of Longview, was considered to be the greatest show horse of all time.
