Shannon here: Ellen E. Withers takes us on a tour of the Simmons Stables in her hometown of Mexico, Missouri. Comment or answer the question in this post to enter the drawing for a print copy of winner’s choice Show Me Skulduggery (Book 3 – Show Me Mysteries) or Show Me Betrayal, (Book 1 of the series). Deadline: May 31st, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Ellen:
A Surprisingly Beautiful and Unique Wedding Venue
For all horse lovers out there, my hometown has a beautiful venue for your wedding or reception (or both) and you can even bring your horses with you! Mexico, Missouri, was famous for being the Saddle Horse Capital of the World, thanks to the world-famous trainers and stables in town and the surrounding area.
When I was young, I used to walk from my school to my grandmother’s house. The path took me beside the big stables, show rings, split-rail fences, and lush green lawns of Simmons Stables. Mr. Simmons trained many of the finest Saddlebred horses in the world. He did this for over 60 years.
In 1887, Cyrus Clark built a compound of stables now known as Simmons Stables. The main stable was
approximately eighty years old when I was walking past as a child. Back then, it was still in good condition. The stable was a magnificent structure, 254 feet long, painted white, with a huge stained-glass half-moon window decorating the entrance. Sadly, time and Mother Nature caused the aging structure to become decrepit and dangerous.
Coincidently, my high school classmate, Bobette Wilson, was one of the people in town who worked for years to return the stables to its historical greatness. The restored major structure is now the International Saddlebred Hall of Fame and used as an events center and wedding venue. It is the oldest building in the United States continuously devoted to boarding and training champion American Saddlebred horses. It’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The now refurbished stables have been the spectacular venue for several weddings and wedding receptions. One couple met while they were part of a Saddlebred horse exhibit sponsored by the stables. Both of them brought and rode their horses at the exhibit. The couple hit it off and began dating. When they got married, they were able to hold the festivities where they first met. In addition, since they could to stall their horses at the venue, their horses shared in the celebration of their marriage. After all, these animals brought them together.
What a blessing it has been to take my childhood visions of those beautiful horses and make them come alive on the pages of a book. Show Me Skulduggery is the third novel in my Show Me Mystery series and features these stables. My books are dual-time mysteries which allow for a minimum of two mystery storylines, with at least one major mystery in both the contemporary and historical eras. I chose my hometown, Mexico, Missouri, as the backdrop for my books because of its rich history and preserved historical structures. Each book features the same structure authentic to Mexico, Missouri, highlighted in both timelines.
As much as I wanted to write a wedding for the Simmons Stables venue, I didn’t have a minor or major
character ready for marriage. So, Show Me Skulduggery takes readers to a fundraiser at the venue managed by my main characters. Intriguing things happen at the stables during this fundraiser.
In the historical portion of the book, also featuring the stables, I’ve introduced readers to a number of famous trainers from the area through a fictional character. I’ve also provided readers a glimpse into the work-filled life of stable boys, grooms, trainers, and owners. Plus, there’s always some romance thrown in for fun.
It was an absolute delight to research the training of Saddlebred horses and the lives of those who trained them. I hope the readers enjoy this focus on horse training. For those who seek a unique venue that honors your love of horses and each other, look to Mexico, Missouri, and the Saddlebred Hall of Fame.
Question for Readers: Do you love horses? If you do, would you ever consider having your wedding, wedding reception, or both, in a beautiful refurbished stable like the one written about in Show Me Skulduggery? Why or why not? Are you familiar with Saddlebred horses? If so, how have you been introduced to them?
About Ellen: Ellen Withers is a multiple award-winning fiction writer, and freelance writer and retired insurance fraud investigator. Her mystery dual-time series, Show Me Mysteries, published by Scrivenings Press, is set in picturesque Mexico, Missouri.
Show Me Betrayal, the first book of the series, was a dual finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writer’s 2024 Carol Awards in the Debut Novel and Mystery/Suspense/Thriller categories. Show Me Deceit was published in May 2024 to rave reviews. The third book in the series, Show Me Skullduggery, will be out May of 2025.
Ellen was one of three contributors to a Christmas novella collection titled A Gift for All Time, released in 2023 by Scrivenings Press.
Magic Words: Enchant Judges & Conjure Contest Wins for Novels, Short Fiction and Nonfiction is scheduled for publication by Scrivenings Press in October 2024. Learn more & connect:
Ellen’s Website Ellen’s Facebook Ellen’s Amazon Profile
Ellen’s Instagram Ellen’s Goodreads Ellen’s Bookbub
About the book – Show Me Skulduggery:
Death comes knocking once again in Show Me Skulduggery, the captivating third book in the award-winning Show Me Mysteries series. These mysteries involve two eras, early 1900s, and contemporary times, featuring a famous Saddlebred horse stable in Mexico, Missouri. Intrigue, deception, underhanded behavior, and murder will keep you turning pages.
Present day: Because of her behavior, the disregard of the needs of her tenants, and her penny-pinching ways, everyone despises slumlord Katherine Mull. When a killer emerges and acts upon their desire to end Katherine’s life, Liesl, Kurt, and Nicole must race against time to identify the killer before this madman kills again. Can they track down the killer before someone else dies? Do they have the skills necessary to identify the killer before they become the target?
1920 through 1953: Mexico, Missouri is famous for being the “Saddlehorse Capital of the World” thanks to world-famous owner/trainers Tom Bass, C.F. Clark, Joseph Potts, George and William Lee, Robert Stewart, and Art Simmons. Each has built upon the solid, respected reputation of the previous trainer at these beloved stables until now. Who can discover and stop sabotage at the stables? Will the Saddlebred trainers be bankrupt if the breed’s sterling reputation is destroyed? Is murder the ultimate act of an evil man seeking revenge?
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I love horses, but I really want to get married on a beach. I don’t know much about the Saddlebred horse. My uncle breeds Quarter Horses.
Thank you for sharing my article and book, Shannon. I hope horse lovers everywhere will enjoy it.
Yes, I like horses. No, I’m not familiar with Saddlebred horses. It sounds like a really interesting book.
I like horses, and horses abound in Texas–I see them everywhere, but not up close and personal. I do love your idea of a horsey wedding venue. LOL. No, never been around Saddlebred horses. This article whets my appetite to read your latest–Show My Skulduggery. Such fun!
I was born and raised in NYC, so I don’t have much experience with horses. Based on my lack of experience, I doubt I would want a wedding or reception in a stable. I don’t see a problem with it for someone else if that is something they want.
I have a winner! Barbara Diggs won the drawing. I appreciate Ellen for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.