Situated on West Boulevard in Mexico, the former Arthur Simmons Stables is physical testament to the community's one-time status as "Saddlebred Horse Capital Of The World." And while the building today sits empty – albeit with renovation efforts in progress, and a listing on the National Register of Historic Places – its legacy continues just a few miles north on Highway 15, where Jim Simmons and his wife, Mary, own and operate the Jimmy Simmons Stables, itself dedicated to breeding, raising, boarding and training the stately horse breed.

"I'm still American Saddlebred – that's the only breed we work with," Simmons stated during a recent interview. The son of the late Arthur Simmons, a legendary industry figure who purchased the original barn in 1948, Jim Simmons moved the operation in 2001, proceeding to sell the in-town barn and its applicable acreage to the Simmons Stable Preservation Fund organization. Since, he has continued to develop the present-day operation, noting that its features include "17 stalls, an indoor arena that is 72 by 150-feet, two wash racks, two feed rooms, an office tack room, and hayloft."

Evident pride in the facility reflects Simmons' lifelong involvement with – and affinity for – the American Saddlebred. "The American Saddle-bred is a pretty versatile breed of horse," he said. "They've been known to do a little bit of everything. They normally don't jump, but there have been some good jumpers. And people use them to ride, as trail horses. It would be an exception, but I presume they could be used as cattle horses. They could ride in the pasture, for trail riding. In fact, I'm trying to think what they can't do. They are just a very versatile breed."

Similarly, the sure-footed horses are also admired for their graceful conformation, their well-proportioned shoulders, neck and back reflective of the breed's physical grace. "They're pretty horses," stated Simmons. "They're about as nice a horse to look at as far as a breed of horse. I don't know if you'll see one any prettier than a saddlebred."

Meantime, the American Saddlebred's alert, expressive eyes indicate another crucial facet of the breed: intelligence. "I remember one time somebody asked my dad, 'How can you train a saddlebred?,'" stated Simmons. "And Dad said: 'You have to be smarter than they are.'"
With skillsets developed courtesy years of saddlebred-related study and work, Arthur Simmons – a native Missourian – selected Mexico and the already-established sales barn as a base to promote corresponding horse breeding and training operations. His decision to locate to Mexico reflected the town's multi-decade connection to the industry, dating to the 1800s, and including the advent of Tom Bass, a legendary rider and horse trainer. Arthur Simmons' own story is well-documented in a book authored by his daughter, Jane E.B. Simmons, entitled "Arthur Simmons: American Icon of the Horse World – A Daughter's Memories." It is currently available for purchase at the Audrain County Historical Society.

"Jane is the writer," stated Jim Simmons. Meantime, her brother – a graduate of the agricultural program at the University of Missouri-Columbia – assumed the mantle of maintaining and developing the family's saddlebred horse operations.

"I grew up around horses ever since I was a child," stated Simmons, who noted that three of his horses recently took first place honors during show competition at the Missouri State Fair. "When I was kid, I was either underneath them or on top of them. I grew up right with them. And I always liked horses. I always had some ponies when I was a child, and I've had horses and ponies to ride all my life, and have just been involved with them from an early age."

Today, Simmons said more formalized training exists for individuals interested in pursuing an equine-related career, especially in conjunction with equine science college programs. "The whole key is that they can learn so much at school, have the opportunity to learn a great deal, ride a bunch of different horses. Things like that help," stated Simmons, noting that graduates typically become trainers and stable managers, and frequently provide riding lessons. He added: "They find out it's hard work. It's a seven day-a-week job."

Accordingly, Simmons said, "I think the difference between an average and a good one (trainer) is dedication and hard work. There's a lot of work and time that go into it, more so than what you see with the naked eye. And I think you have to understand a horse before you're really able to train a horse. To train a horse, you have to understand how they think, and how they react a little bit. Each horse is a little different, but you have to have a basic, general knowledge of horses. And also, you have to learn the horse's disposition a little bit. Some horses have different types of disposition. But you kind of work them on an individual basis."

Correspondingly, Simmons – assisted for several years by Mary, a former horse show champion who first met her future husband when she traveled to Mexico with her family from South Dakota, endeavoring to purchase a saddlebred horse – said patience is crucial. "Over the years, so many experienced horsemen would say, 'Jim has the patience to be a good horseman.' I think that's one thing you've got to have. You've got to have the dedication, but you've also got to have the patience. Because it takes some time, and some of them you can't rush. Patience is a requirement to be a good trainer."

But for those willing to make the personal commitment, Simmons said the payoff is immeasurable. "You've got to like what you do," he concluded. "But once it gets in your blood, it never leaves. I can always ride a horse. Maybe you get to the point where you don't enjoy showing as much as you once did. But you still enjoy riding the horse, having contact with the horse."