MEEKER I Mike Brennan of Meeker was the recipient of the Howard Munsell Award, presented by the Colorado Saddle Makers Association.
Each October, the Colorado Saddle Makers Association (CSMA) meets in Salida for a seminar and business meeting. Munsell, now deceased, was instrumental in organizing the CSMA in 1991. Munsell was a likeable, hard-working rancher, who also made saddles; he saw a need for a saddle makers association and pursued organizing the CSMA. He was from Fowler, which is near Pueblo, which was once the saddle making capital of the world.
As the CSMA grew — it now has members in the United States, Canada and Europe — the members decided to remember its founder by dedicating an annual award, in Munsell’s name, to a member who has worked above and beyond the expectations of the average member to further the mission of the CSMA.
Brennan serves as northwest regional director of the CSMA, and a part of his responsibility is to organize and implement a seminar that is held in Grand Junction each April. Under Brennan’s direction the seminar has grown, attracting 40 or more saddle makers each spring, who come to learn and perfect their chosen art. It is through his dedication that countless saddle makers have improved their abilities.
The CSMA is proud to recognize Brennan’s hard work and dedication to helping to others in the profession.