Although intensely competitive, the Saddlehorse community is close-knit.

Representatives of the Saddlehorse industry gathered at the Simmons Stables Barn for the annual International Saddlebred Hall of Fame induction ceremony on May 30. This year's inductees included Kent and Stacey Swalla of Missouri, Larry Hodge of Kentucky and Howard “Howie” Schatzberg of Arizona.

“I guarantee there have been competitors sitting here that hated each other's guts in the ring, but when they get here, you’re part of that Saddlebred community and that show community, so you put the egos aside, and you shake hands, you say ‘hello,’ and you have a drink,” Laura Mackey, Simmons Stables’ graphic design and media specialist, said.

The Swallas have a long-standing history in the Saddlebred community that led to them heading Glendale Farms in Columbia, Missouri, in 2005. Kent, also known as “Skippy,” is from Newton, Iowa where he got his start showing and riding.

“It’s a huge honor to be in company with some of the other people who have been inducted into this awesome establishment,” Stacey said.

Stacey is from Troy, Missouri. She spends her time balancing her career as the owner of Stacey Swalla & Associates, a real estate team, and her passion for raising, riding and showing saddlebreds. She has over 40 years in the industry and she loves every aspect of it.

“I love the animals, animals always first, and then showing, but a lot of it for me is the social and the horses,” she said.

Fellow 2026 inductee Hodge got his start as a young boy in Knoxville where he rode Shetland ponies.

“I’d ride them bare back and play around and used to barrel race some,” Hodge said.

But then they got a Saddlebred pony and he was hooked. The horse business came naturally to Hodge who went on to work for top trainers such as Jim B. Robertson, George Gwen and Garland Bradshaw.

What attracted Hodge to Saddlebreds was their complicated nature and talent.

“It’s sort of like coaching a football or basketball team,” Hodge said. “Some have a lot of talent, some don’t. They have different personalities — some are smart, some are slow, some learn fast and it takes a lot of time and patience.”

Schatzberg, one of the nation’s leading horse show photographers, could not attend the ceremony due to a prior engagement photographing a horse show, but Sandy Backer accepted the award on his behalf and shared some words from the photographer who is coming up on his 50th year behind the camera.

Social hour began at 5 p.m. with drinks provided by The Pearl Martini and Wine Bar followed by dinner, which was catered by Bucky’s Sit or Get.

Guests were welcomed by Bobette Balser Wilson, Simmons Stables Preservation Fund Inc. co-president, and Logan Ray, Mexico area Chamber of Commerce president. The awards ceremony was conducted by dual masters of ceremonies Steve Gaw and Jerome Rader.

Also recognized were four posthumous inductees Lee Roby, Ross Drake, Bill Otto and Frederick “Fritz” Jordan.

Posthumous Inductees

This year’s posthumous International Saddlebred Hall of Fame inductees were Lee Roby, Ross Drake, Bill Otto and Frederick “Fritz” Jordan. The dual masters of ceremonies introduced the inductees and shared a bit about their lives.

Roby was a decorated rider, trainer and exhibitor for the legendary Kentucky horsewoman Jean McLean. He broke the world record at the Kentucky State Fair in 1945 by winning two Worlds Grand Champion stakes for one owner in the same year. Over the years, Roby won 78 ribbons and trophies that earned him the title of “Man of the Year.” One of Roby’s geldings, The Replica, was trained and shown by Art Simmons himself and a picture of The Replica hangs in the stables’ loft.

Drake got his start in the Saddlebred industry in Indiana after attending his first horse show at the Indiana State Fair. He left the horse business at the beginning of World War II to sell electricity to farmers for the Rural Electric Association due to the unstable economy and returned to his calling after the war. In 1946 Drake worked for Plainview Farms in Kentucky before moving to Mexico to work for Art Simmons where he worked with World Champion Horses Ann Rutledge, The Replica, Meadow Princess and Princess Ann.

While much of Otto’s time in the Saddlehorse industry has been lost to history, he is known for having shown horses in Missouri, Minnesota and Wisconsin. In the 1950’s, while in Mexico, Otto trained horses for Art Simmons and won various shows while showing Lady Vogue.

Jordan was probably best known in the Saddlehorse industry for his knack for tuning out well-mannered horses, much like famous Mexico trainer Tom Bass. Jordan grew up in Madison Wisconsin where his career began, but he found his stride in Kentucky where worked for H. G. Wittenberg’s Hayfield Farm and developed winning horses such as Gallant Guy O’Goshen, Red Gold, Hayfield’s Bold Knight and Private Stock, who was purchased from Art Simmons.

For more photos, see the Mexico Ledger’s online photo galleries.