Briarwood Saddle Club Annual Award Banquet Held In Holly Springs, MS by Jane Coln Briarwood Saddle Club hosted its Annual Award Banquet on Friday October 20, 2006 at the home of its horse shows, the Marshall County Fairgrounds Arena on Highway 7 in Holly Springs MS. As club members dined on culinary delights furnished by its members and fried chicken provided by the Club, the renowned local bluegrass band Brush Arbor played toe-tapping music, with Constant Man of Sorrow as their final number. Adults and children alike had a great time playing mounted and un-mounted games such as the catalog race, the hula hoop contest, and the coke race. The tug-of-war was especially rewarding entertainment for onlookers as the rope broke and all the big folks on the same end of the rope landed seat-first in the dirt! Next was the costume contest, mounted and un-mounted, and cash prizes were awarded in each category for 1st and 2nd places. The judges had a difficult job deciding between all of the thoughtfully engineered costumes worn by contestants. Voting took place during the evening for Briarwood’s 2007 Queen and Princess. The winners were announced as Queen Hope Strickland and Princess Kayla Alsbrook for 2007. Year-end awards were presented and the prizes ranged from bejeweled belts and purses to bridles, silver-adorned halters, saddle pads, engraved belt buckles and many more creative gifts. The Shannon Smith Memorial Award was presented by the late Briarwood member’s friend, Lori Simpson, to this year’s winner Michelle Braden who participated this year by showing in youth walk trot and halter and who worked regularly in registration to help the club. The Bow-legged Cowboy Award was presented to non-board members who were exceptionally helpful during our show year, Frank Howard and Joyce (JJ) Johnson. There were many other members of Briarwood who helped out and their help is always appreciated as well. The High Point Adult winner was Lori Simpson, the High Point Youth Teen winner was Jessica Smith, and the High Point Youth 12 & Under winner was Claire Murray. The biggest prize of the evening was the striking weanling AQHA colt donated to Briarwood Saddle Club and presented to this year’s Overall High Point winner, Lori Simpson by Gary Hundhausen of Hundhausen Farms. The colt is by Mac N Dash, Gary and Candy Hundhausen’s stallion. Charlotte Howard is the President of Briarwood Saddle Club. The 2007 show season will resume on Friday March 30, 2007 with a diverse schedule of classes including halter, mini jumping, western horsemanship, pleasure classes, gaited classes and speed events. Briarwood is one of the oldest saddle clubs in this area and encourages new members to visit and participate in their shows.