Posted: 19th March 2021 | Back to news feed
With this year’s Society of Master Saddlers’ National Competition moved to September a new idea, to design and make a mask met with a fantastic response.
The competition was the inspiration of committee member and Master Saddler, Karen Schlotter and the prizes were presented at a virtual awards ceremony.
Society of Master Saddlers’ Chief Executive, Hazel Morley said: “I would like to say a huge thank you to those who entered and gave us a really interesting competition.
“All entrants really pushed the boat out and I was blown away by their imagination and ingenuity.”
The masks were first judged by SMS Master Saddler judges, Mark Romain, Catherine Baker and Karen Schlotter before it then went to the public vote on Facebook after which results were amalgamated to get to the final outcome.
Said Jeff Barry winner of the Open class: “The standard in the classes was superb. I was delighted to win the Open class and it made all the effort so worthwhile.
“As it has been a bit quieter with the pandemic I decided to enter the competition and I made the mask on and off over a month. I saw an image of the Green Man and thought it would make a brilliant entry and am so pleased I did.”
Added Lucy Cushley, runner up in theApprentices, Trainee and Intermediate Members Class: “The competition was just fantastic. I was so pleased I decided to enter and the mask actually took me a whole week of 14 hour days.
“I just couldn’t stop making it. I found a picture in a book on ancient Celtic Gods and that is where my inspiration came from, even if the end results didn’t turn out like the original image.”
The prizes were kindly donated by The Saddlers’ Company with first prize receiving £150, second £100 and third £50.
Results
Capel Manor Students Class
1st Regina Mitchell Egyptian
2nd Claire Davenport Roman Centurian
3rd Hattie Crabtree Light blue mask with feathers
Highly Commended was awarded to Charley Sheppard for the Samurai mask
Apprentices, Trainee and Intermediate Members Class
1st Zoe Hurst Lion
2nd Lucy Cushley Cernunnos, Lord of Wild Things
3rd Hannah O'Neill Carved mask
Highly Commended Gabrielle Mitchley, Dragon
Open class
1st Jeff Barry Green Man
2nd Coralie Chung Chinese New Year Dragon
3rd Line Hansen Silver face & feathers
Highly Commended Corrin King for her mask of thoughts
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