Simmons' Stables celebrates its history and preservation efforts at the 22nd annual Barn B-Que and auction Sunday. Volunteers and board members were serving up barbeque pork steak, baked beans, coleslaw, fresh rolls with homemade pies and brownies for dessert.
This item is available in full to subscribers.
We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you are a digital subscriber with an active subscription, or you are a print subscriber who had access to our previous website, then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you have not yet logged in to your account on this new site.
If you are a current print subscriber and did not have a user account on our previous website, you can set up a free website account by clicking here.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
Please log in to continue |
Simmons' Stables celebrates its history and preservation efforts at the 22nd annual Barn B-Que and auction Sunday. Volunteers and board members were serving up barbeque pork steak, baked beans, coleslaw, fresh rolls with homemade pies and brownies for dessert. Meanwhile, the silent auction was already underway in preparation for the live auction which began after lunch.
The "Big Barn on the Boulevard" has been a Mexico staple since 1887. It is the oldest known building dedicated to the boarding and training of champion American Saddlebred horses giving Mexico its title as the original “Saddlehorse Capital of the World”.
In 2001, the stables had fallen into disrepair and was on its way to being demolished with the hopes of turning it into a rest home. When Bobette Balser Wilson, co-president came with her children to say goodbye to the stables, she knew she had to do something.
“She went to Jim Simmons and she said she wanted to try and save this stable.” says co-president Mary White Litterell.
And save it she did. Wilson worked, with the help of her community and Simmons, for a little over a year to execute her vision and preserve this iconic piece of Mexico history.
“We’re just so proud to be a part of this and to have worked diligently since 2001 when it was so close to being torn down.” says vice president Ann Stubblefield.
Wilson was recognized with a paver in her honor before the auction. Gate donors honored at the event were: Martin Jones, Dale and Patty Cone, Lynn Badaracco and Dwight Quiring. The board also honored their fence donors: the Griffin Foundation, Leach Foundation, Green Foundation, US Equestrian Foundation, John Walker Jr., Barbara Robinson, Lynn Badaracco and Dwight Quiring.
“We know that it takes a village for this project.” says Litterell “We appreciate everyone that has done many things to help this project move forward.”
Sarah Track, equestrian saddle seat professor at Williams Woods University and board member was also honored with a paver acknowledging her involvement in preservation and for bringing horses back into the stables for events.
Track's horse Cowboy was also there to oversee the auctions and soak up every minute of attention.
After the silent auction, which featured donations from local businesses and community members, was closed and everyone had their fill, it was time for the live auction with auctioneers Tom Usnick, and JR Johnston.
All proceeds from the event went to benefit the International Saddlebred Hall of Fame and their efforts to preserve and rebuild Simmons' Stables.
