by Jennifer Maack-Condren
SPRINGFIELD, Miss. - The show year has concluded, the points have been tabulated and the high point banquet for the Southwest Missouri Horse Shoq Association was underwat. The meeting and banquet was held at the Holiday Inn North, Springfield, Missouri on February 23 for the members representing the multi-breed association. The pleasure and enjoyment of showing horses was evident as representatives from the American Sadllebreds, Missouri Foxtrotters, Arabians, and Tennessee Walking Horses, converged for an evening of horse talk and camaraderie.

A business meeting was held prior to the banquet with the election of offivers for the 2002 show season. Barb McDannal did an excellent job in presiding over the meeting as the outgoing president of the association. The offivers for the coming show season were elected: Dr. Lynn Posenke, President; Glenda Nichols, President-elect; Susie Graham, Secretary-Treasurer, as well as a slate of new board members.

An auction of donated items including such things as Billie Nipper prints, decorative horse items and tack were sold to the highest bidder to raise money for the annual show and operating expenses. This year’s auction yielded an all time high of over $500. A special thank you was given to Steve Skopec for serving as auctioneer, with assistance of A.L. Forgey, Floyd Posenke, and Ken Batzelle. Susie Graham was commended for an excellent job in the planning and set up of the banquet facilities and evening’s program. A show committee was appointed to plan the annual spring show with the tentative date for June 1, as well as many sponsorships obtained.

The first award of the evening was presented to the “Best One Night Show”, this going to the Halfway Saddle Club. On hand to accept this award was long-time member and past president of the club, Bill Maack. The “Best Multi-Performance Show” selected by the membership was the Midwest Walking Horse Trainers’ Show held each year in September. Jim Huffman graciously accepted this award as the newly elected president.

Awards of silver and crystal were passed out to the owners, exhibitors, and trainers of the multi-breed association following the business meeting, dinner, and auction. Mary Lee Campbell certainly has reason to be proud of her group for claiming top juvenile and amateur awards. Huffman Family Stables took top honors in the two-year-old division, while Tom Burton Stables did their part in taking home three amateur titles for Jill Wait and Geri Burton.

Jay and Cheri Teaford showed their versatility with their plantation stock, winning three high point awards. Stephen and Patti Ayers were consistent contenders all season in the lite shod division, earning them two high point titles. Bill Maack Stables also took home two wins in the plantation pleasure division. Dr. Lynn Bridwell of B & B Farms and Jim, Sherry, and Shelby Hill of Shadowwood Stables dominated the open divisions. Carol Middleton, Hickory Ridge Farms, Ed and Darlene Swarengim, and Dr. Mae Nettleship were also victorious in single divisions.

Steve and Karen Skopec took home top honors in four classes with their plantation and lite shod horses. In addition to this, their well-known roan mare, Gypsy Lane Dusty Maid, earned the High Point Champion for the second year in a row, accumulating 276 points in the Plantation Pleasure Two Gait class.