Briarwood Saddle Club Holds 2007 Awards Banquet October 26, 2007 by Jane Coln Briarwood Saddle Club, one of the area’s oldest remaining saddle clubs, hosted its annual Awards Banquet on Friday, October 26, 2007 at the Marshall County Fairgrounds in Holly Springs, Mississippi. The meal included fried chicken complemented by culinary delights brought by the club’s members, with desserts galore. The tables were decorated with checkered-edged tablecloths and old-time sodas for centerpieces. Balloons and old 45 records adorned the colorful decorations and the stage area had a lighted soda shop sign created especially for the banquet.During dinner, the fine bluegrass band, Brush Arbor, performed bluegrass and old classics that blended with the banquet’s 50’s era theme. The band includes Briarwood member and horseman, Joe Cupp. The club had a surprise visit from the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley, portrayed by Jim Lovell of Collierville, with his unique Tribute to the King. He danced and sang old Elvis classics, decorating some of the ladies with sweat-tinged scarves while some of the banquet attendees danced to the music. Elvis was followed by hula-hoop, twist, jitterbug, and limbo contests. The costume contest was won by Gracie Watkins as Little Red Riding Hood, with Lori Simpson as Loretta Lynn coming in a close second place. Samantha Watkins was elected the Briarwood Princess and Michelle Braden was elected Queen of the club for 2008.Samantha Watkins was awarded the Shannon Smith Memorial Award for her outstanding help throughout the year at horse shows and special events. Shannon Smith was a teen club member who lost her life in a truck/train collision and is remembered yearly with this award to a deserving youth club member. The award was presented by club member, Lori Simpson, who is also this year’s Rodeo of the Mid South Queen.Other special awards: Bow-Legged Cowboy Award: to Sandra Wagoner and Billy Barber Adult High Point Winner: Amanda Childers Youth High Point Winner: Jessica Smith Pony High Point Winner: Rebecca Hundhausen.Drawings were held from member families for the western show saddle donated by the club and the English cutback saddle donated by member Van Beasley of Van’s Leathercraft. Lucky winners were Johnny Emerson and Harmon Mannon.Hundhausen Farm donated a filly by their stallion Mac N Dash to be drawn from the top 5 point-holders for 2007 which were Jessica Smith, Roy Coln, Van Beasley, Amanda Childers, and Austin Cupp. Elvis was asked to draw the winner and Austin Cupp was called to the arena to accept his prize from Gary Hundhausen! 2007 Directors for Briarwood Saddle Club were Sandie Simpson, Van Beasley, Jane Coln, Barbara Kalafat, Dennis Watkins, Robert Mills, Kay Lopez and Ruben Lopez. Sandie Simpson, as club president, recognized each club member by listing his or her class placing and awarding the prizes. The evening ended with dance music prepared on CD by the club youth group.Briarwood Saddle Club will resume its open show schedule in the spring on Friday nights at 7:30 PM at the Marshall County Fairgrounds Arena in Holly Springs, Mississippi. 2008 Show Dates will be: April 11; April 18; April 25; May 2; May 9; May 16; May 30; June 6; June 13; June 20; June 27; July 11; July 18.