This interest has led to the appointment of Usnick as curator of the American Saddlebred Horse Museum, located at the Audrain County Historical Society. His appointment followed the death of Jan Nesheim, the museum's first and only curator since its inception in 1966.

"Tom Usnick's appointment is bittersweet for us, as Jan will be greatly missed," Dana Keller, executive director of the museum complex, said. "Jan blessed us with many, many years of dedicated service, for which we are forever grateful. We are most thankful for Tom's passion for Saddlebred horses and for his ambition and willingness to step up and serve."

Usnick grew up in Mexico, graduating from MHS in 1970. His interest in horses began when he took a job at Simmons Stables.

"I started working for Art Simmons in 1964 as a fence painter," he said. "Then I started to walk the hot horses. Art and Jimmy gave me the opportunity to start young horses, preparing them to be jogged and ridden, and to start their careers as show horses."

Usnick worked with world champions Colonel Boyle, Tasha Ling, Wind-Sir and Sea Beauty. Later he began to train and show his own Saddlebred and Society horses.

Now, Usnick also is a trainer for Dr. Ray Wilbers at Sunrise Stables, where Belgians and Missouri mules are raised. There, he also stables the only horse he personally owns, a seventeen-year-old Saddlebred. Catch Me Sir, called Candy, a mare he got from Jim Simmons.

Usnick said he doesn't remember a time he wasn't interested in horses, and the horse museum. "Any time anything was going on at the complex, I would stay in the horse museum," he said. "There are lots of pictures of horses and trophies of horses I remember and that I worked with."

The horse museum celebrates the history of Saddlebred horses, and reflects the importance of Audrain County's horses and horse people in the development of the breed. The museum includes magazines and books about Saddlebred horses. There is also a complete set of the American Saddle Horse Breeders Association Register. The exhibits include extensive collections from county residents Tom Bass and Arthur Simmons.

For several years, Usnick has responded to inquiries which come into the museum. "I've had the opportunity to do geneology on horses and horse people," he said. "I am glad to answer their questions."

Usnick said he thinks the existing museum and the establishment of the International Saddlebred Hall on Fame (on the site of the former Simmons Stables) will help re-establish the town's boast of being the "Saddlehorse Capital of the World."

"Between the horse museum and the Hall of Fame, Mexico should be a drawing card for horse people," he said.

As the new curator, Usnick said he is eagerly anticipating two events. "A company from West Virginia plans to come to town to do a documentary on Tom Bass," he said. "Also, the museum is currently working on re-publishing the book 'Tom Bass Black Horseman' that Bill Downey wrote."

Bass is one of the horsemen Usnick has great respect for. "Tom Bass said the bit he invented was his gift to horses. Now every Saddlebred stable in the United States--and probably the world--uses the Tom Bass Bit."

The first time the Bit was used was with the horses at the stable of Cyrus Clark, the man who built the stables that became the reknown Simmons Stables, and now is the site of the proposed Hall of Fame. The Bit is a curb bit, usually made of solid nickel, with three hash marks on the side.

Bass, who was born a slave in Audrain County, became one of the top trainers and showmen of his era. In September, the American Royal in Kansas City named a new warm-up arena for its horse shows in honor of Tom Bass. According to Usnick, an anonymous donor gave 4.2 million to build the area, with the only stipulation being the area's name.

Usnick would like for Bass to get more recognition in Mexico also. "I would like to at least see a plaque where the home of Tom Bass once stood, on the corner of Whitley and Olive streets."

He also has plans to update the displays in the museum. "I would like to feature one horse or horse person each month," he said. "I would like to highlight trainers from around Audrain County such as the Lee Brothers, B.B. Tucker, Cyrus Clark, Hamilton Stables and others.

There is a lot of material in storage, because of a lack of room in the museum which is one room connected by a walkway to the main part of the museum. This main part, an antebellum mansion called Graceland, has served the county since 1961.

The horse museum was dedicated in 1970, after a four-year organizational process led by Nesheim. The museum collection was first housed in a second floor room of Graceland. Through the years, generous patrons have donated many items to the museum.

The museum is open the same hours as the rest of the complex, Tuesday-Saturday in February-December. Hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, and 1-4 p.m. on Sunday.

Usnick has spent much of his adult life advancing his knowledge of horses. Along with his life-long association and friendship with Jim Simmons, he also has attended classes at the University of Missouri in equine embryo transfer and insemination, and is a certified farrier. He is anxious to begin a closer association with horses and the horse museum, in what spare time he has beyond his responsibilities to wife Debbie, his five children and five grandchildren.