Breyer Horse Showing: All About Breed Types

With hundreds of breeds of real life horses it’s no wonder why the world of model horses is as diverse and varied as it is. From tiny miniature horses to gentle giant draft horses, there is a Breyer horse for it! When model horse shows began to grow in popularity, they had to evolve to have a place for all kinds of breeds. Today, it is common to divide a model horse show up by Breed Types, but what are they exactly?

Most model horse shows are divided into eight different breed divisions, Light, Gaited, Sport, Spanish, Stock, Pony, Draft and Other. These distinctions come from all the way back to the formations of the breeds, dividing the hundreds of different breeds of the world into smaller groups by common characteristics.

Light Breeds are horses are easily recognizable as your Arabian type breeds. These horses have characteristics from a life in the desert. Horses such as the Arabian, Morgan and National Show Horse are considered “Light Breeds” because of their Arabian heritage.

Gaited breeds are the showmen of the show ring. These horses carry an additional gait or way of moving that causes them to stand out in a crowd. American Saddlebreds, Rocky Mountain Horses and Tennessee Walking horses are all Gaited because of their distinctive way of moving.

Sport breeds are the athletes of the show ring. These horses include horses that were bred to compete in disciplines such as show jumping and racing. All Warmbloods fall into this division as do Thoroughbreds. These superstars are bred to compete, and it shows!

Spanish breeds are those that have evolved from horses from Spain as well as Southern and Central America. Also called Iberian horses, these horses are known for their distinctive looks and beauty. Andalusians, Lusitanos and Crillos are a few examples of these horses.

Stock breeds are the stars of the Western world. Bred for the ranch, stock breeds can be recognized as Quarter Horses, Paints and Pintos. These standouts of the American South West are the ranch’s most important asset and are easily recognizable with their compact and strong bodies.

Pony breeds are those horses that were bred for their compact size. Pony breeds come from all over the world and are only defined by their smaller than average size. Welsh Ponies, Shetland Ponies, and the American Walking Pony are all examples of these tiny powerhouses.

Draft breeds are the gentile giants of the horse world. Standing sometimes 6 foot tall at the shoulder these horses were originally bred for hard farm labor. Today they are used for any number of disciplines, from harness work to dressage, you can see a draft doing just about anything! Clydesdales, Shires, and the Belgian are all common draft breeds.

Last but certainly not least are Other breeds. These horses don’t fit into any of the above categories. Donkeys, mules and zebras are considered “Other” breeds.

With a little understanding of the  different types of breeds you’re sure to have a leg up on the competition at your next Golden Oak Stables show! But whether you’re a shower or not, a little more knowledge of real life horses is always a good thing!

~Stacy
Email Stacy: Stacy@GoldenOakStables.com

Breyer Horse Showing: North American Nationals 2012

The time is nearing when the best model horses in the world gather in Lexington Kentucky to compete in the North American Nationals. In the three days proceeding Breyerfest this year, the North American Nationals will crown hundreds of National Champions, Reserve Champions and Top Ten Placers. These horses have the distinction of being named Champion among the best horses in both the country and the world and will carry that title forever!

The North American Nationals brings horses from all over the world to Lexington Kentucky this year, with only one requirement for entry, they must have placed first or second in a NAN qualifying show and been awarded a NAN card. This serves as the entry ticket for the biggest show of the year! Models are awarded a card for placing first and second at any NAN qualifying show that is valid for two years. Models qualified before April 30th 2012 are eligible for this year’s competition and can be entered for their chance at victory!

If you’re ready to take the plunge and give your horses a shot at a championship entries are now open! You can visit the NAMHSA site for more information on how to enter. If you’re not quite ready yet, start getting your feet wet at Golden Oak Stables novice and intermediate shows. These are the perfect way to start showing and learn all about the world of model horses! Tailored specifically for  those new to the world model horses and model horse showing these shows take all the elements of a highly competitive open NAN qualifying show and make it friendly for one and all!

Breyerfest this year is sure to be a blast and with the North American Nationals in town it’s a full week of model horse mania in Lexington Kentucky this July! You can be a part of it even if you aren’t there with Golden Oak Stables covering each and every aspect of this week full of model horses! No matter where you are this July, you’ll experience what a week full of Breyer horses will bring!

~Stacy
Email Stacy: Stacy@GoldenOakStables.com

Breyer Horse Events: 2012 Events at Golden Oak Stables

Golden Oak Stables is the hub for Breyer activity in New England! With a ton of events each year, Golden Oak Stables is the place to experience events that will teach you about horses and allow you to compete with other Breyer lovers in a fun enviroment.

First up on the Golden Oak Stables calendar is an all Novice/Youth show that is meant to show you just how model horse showing works! On March 24th collectors from all over will come to Concord New Hampshire to compete in a fun and fair environment at Spring Break Live! Novices and youths are welcome at this show that brings together friends new and old to compete. There are divisions for Halter, Collectibilty, Customs and Performance as well as Fun Classes that give you a chance to show just about any Breyer you have! Showers will compete for hundreds of ribbons and a ton of championships!

On April 14th Golden Oak Stables opens its doors for New England Spring Live an open NAN qualifying show. This means, any horse that places first or second is qualified to show at the North American Nationals in 2012 or 2013!

This full classlist features dozens of classes that will fill the day with fun and fierce competition! Performance, Original Finish Halter, Original Finish Collectiblity, Custom Halter and Custom Workmanship divisions will fill the day with enough competition to keep even the veteran shower enthused! The fun classes are creative and sure to bring out fun, interesting and funny entries for all to see!

You won’t want to miss the spring show season at Golden Oak Stables! There’s a show for any level of experience! Live Showing is a fun way to enjoy your models and with Golden Oak Stables you can enjoy the fun of a live show in a friendly, competitive environment!

~Stacy

Email Stacy: Stacy@GoldenOakStables.com

Breyer Horse Showing: Judges Corner

Showing your Breyer horses can be equally fun and a little scary the first time because you might not know what to expect. Even after a few shows you might still be wondering, “Just what does the judge do?”. It can be a little foreign for anyone to see plastic horses winning ribbons, but you might be surprised at how its done!

Model horse showing is very close to real horse showing, with modifications made because they are plastic after all! The key elements to judging stay the same though. In Halter classes a judge is looking for the horse that best matches the breed standard set forward by the breed organization. In performance the judge is looking for the horse best performing the sport it is portraying. The one exception to the connection between real horse and model horse showing is in two divisions, Workmanship and Collectiblity. These are specific divisions that exist in the model horse hobby to reward horses that are created with great craftsmanship and those that are very rare and desirable.

Judges often will take a first look at the class and count the number of entries in the class when first approaching the table. From there the judge will begin to inspect each entry for their standard of what they feel should be winning the class. Many model horse judges are very talented and knowledgeable horse people and bring a great deal of knowledge to the show ring. Even then, many judges value things on different levels and any judge will agree that classes will place differently for any judge. There is no rule book, but that’s one of the most fun things, one day your horse might not place but the next show he might win a championship!

Judging is very subjective and each and every judge does have some personal preferences just like in real horse showing. If you ever have questions about your horse and its placings most judges welcome questions and are happy to explain why a horse placed where it did. It’s best to wait until after a class is finished to ask though. When a judge is judging her class try to not distract or speak to her. Save all questions until after the class.

No matter how you place, it’s always fun to get out to a live show. The next time you visit a Golden Oak Stables one you’ll have a better idea of just how and why your horse placed where it did. And if not? Don’t be afraid to ask!

~Stacy

Email Stacy: Stacy@GoldenOakStables.com

Breyer Horse Showing: What’s In a Show String

One of the many terms that gets used often in the model horse hobby is “Show String”. What exactly does that mean? A piece of string you use at a model horse show? Not quite, it’s the term used by many to describe the group of horses that they show on a regular basis!

A model horse show string can be any size and any combination of models that you’d like! You control everything in your show string, so its up to you! Most show strings will develop organically after a few shows but you can begin to create your own right now!

Picking your nicest models is the first step. Models free of rubs, scratches and paint flaws is the perfect place to start. Just like in real horse shows, models with rubs and dings won’t look as pretty in the show ring. You’ll want to check hooves and ears too because rubs can hide there very easily. Check your models for overspray paint around edges of the mane and tail as well. Lastly, try to remove any dust that may have settled onto your models. Just like mud on a real horse, dust can mark your horse down.

Choosing models that make good representations of their breeds is important too. Make sure that your horse can realistically come in the color it is. Example: Palomino Arabians do not exist and would have to be shown as a part-Arabian.

Most shows have class limits (The most common is 3 per class). This means, for one breed class, like Arabians, you can only enter three horses. So, if you’re a big Arabian fan and have five, only three can make it into your show string. The choice will be hard, but choose only your best for the day of the show!

After your first few shows you’ll develop your own show string easily. Models that often show well for you will probably be the first that you put in it. Your favorite horses, regardless if they show well or not, will probably end up there too. Don’t hesitate to let a favorite horse into your string, even if it doesn’t place! Showing is fun and bringing your favorite horses only makes it more fun!

Once you’ve got your show string you may want to create a special place in your collection for them. Perhaps a few shelves just for them. Be sure to keep them in good condition and away from any hazards while they aren’t at a show.

Just like a real horse, show horses need to be carefully cared for every day! So choose your horses wisely! Will your next horse from Golden Oak Stables make it into your show string? The choice is all yours!

~Stacy

Email Stacy: Stacy@GoldenOakStables.com

Breyer Horse Events: New England Fall Live Is Almost Here!

Cool air is blowing in and holidays will be slowly approaching but you have one more chance this year to get out to Golden Oak Stables to show off your models and compete with others for top honors!

New England Fall Live celebrates its third year and as the only all Breyer show in New England its the perfect chance to bring your Breyer collection out to show how versatile and wonderful Breyer horses really are! Performance classes are always popular and there’s a myriad of them! Use your creativity to bring a realistic scene to the show ring! English , Western, Harness and Costume, they are all there for you to enter as well as an “Other Performance” class that always gets creative!

The custom classes are sure to be filled with astonishing creations from entrants and artists alike and the extensive classlist gives you specialized classes to enter your customs in, so bring one and all! Another great part is that there will be two judges for the Custom division! One judge will be judging on Breed standards and another will be judging on Workmanship. A Workmanship judge evaluates horses on a different set of standards as the breed judge and will place the horses based on how well done the customization, paint and prepping was done on the model, not how realistic or well the horse fits the breed. It makes classes very interesting and rewards horses on two completely separate levels!

In the Original Finish classes, which tend to be the largest, you’ll see new and old alike showing Breyer’s wide range of horses from the past 60 years! Part of the most interesting part is that, like custom, there will be a second judge that evaluates the Original Finish Classes. The Collectibility judge will also be judging on a different set of criteria that ranks models by how rare and desirable they are! So, while a horse might not be the most realistic, it might just be the rarest and end up with that coveted blue ribbon!

All the classes are NAN Qualifying meaning that any horse that places 1st or 2nd is qualified for the North American Nationals in 2012 and 2013! Don’t miss your chance to compete with the best of the best and spend a wonderful day of fun with Golden Oak Stables!

~Stacy

Email Stacy: Stacy@GoldenOakStables.com

Breyer Horse Collecting: Researching Real Life Counterparts

Many people enter the model horse hobby either as an extension of their love for real horses or because they aren’t able to have a real life horse. Collecting Breyer Horses  brings the world of real horses to many who wouldn’t be able to experience it in many ways, from filling your stable with a myriad of breeds to showing and bringing home championships in many disciplines. The possibilities are endless!

One way to live the life of a horse owner through your models is by researching your model’s real life counterparts. Studying breed information and learning about different disciplines is easy and fun to do and can help you ready yourself for a real horse sometime in the future or ready yourself to bring home the blue ribbon in a model horse show!

The first place to start whenever you are researching is the Library. In the age of computers we often forget this resource, but the library probably has dozens of books on horses, horse breeds and horse showing. Another good resource are real horse magazines. With dozens of publications available there’s ones for specific breeds and events. Is your stable full of Eventers? There’s a magazine for that! Magazines will help you see what’s current with the sport or breed and keep you up to date with what goes on. Even better, you might get a first sneak peek at the subject of a new Breyer as Breyer often picks equestrian athletes  or prominent horses for their next model. Famous horses like Sato, Ravel and TS Black Tie Affair all are real horses that have gained popularity in their respective breeds or disciplines.

While you can learn a great deal from reading and research, one of the very best ways to learn about your models is going to be hands on experience. While you might not own a horse, there’s certainly ways for your to be around real life horses. Visiting shows is the easiest, its typically free for most smaller shows and you can talk with real horse owners who are happy to tell you about their horses. Check your community fair grounds for their calendar for the year and most county fairgrounds have at least a few shows a year. If you are near a large equestrian community you’ll probably find it easy to catch larger events. Many of these events feature breed showcases where you can meet breeds from all over. Opportunities such as this are invaluable!

While we all might not get to sit on a horse’s back on a regular basis, we can certainly live in that world through our models. You never know, the research you do might gain you that coveted blue ribbon at the next Golden Oak Stables show!

~Stacy

Email Stacy: Stacy@GoldenOakStables.com

Breyer Horse Showing: Summer Break Live 2011

Its that time again! Mark your calendars and dust your horses off, its time for Summer Break Live hosted by Golden Oak Stables!

August 27th is Golden Oak Stables’s annual summer all novice show! Catering only to novices and youth as only Golden Oak Stables can do, Summer Break Live is a day full of fun and excitement for all novice and youth model horse collectors.  Linda Carrier has put together a wonderful show with a class list that encompasses all facets of the model horses hobby.

The largest division is Original Finish Halter which is where most Breyers that have not been altered show. In Original Finish Halter horses are placed on the table just as they’ve come from Breyer and are judged based on their breed characteristics. Showers pick a name and breed for their horse and then the judge places them based on how close that horse looks like the real thing. Real life breed standards are used by the judge to make their placings.

There are also classes for custom painted horses, this division is called the Customized Division. This division has two separate smaller divisions, one for customs by professionals and one for customs that are made by the entrant. This allows both to compete on an even level and gives showers a friendly division to show their own work.

Performance is the third division, and is for creating the most realistic scenes possible! In these classes entrants will take tack and props and make scenes trying to mimic a real horse performing that act. English, western and harness events are included and ready for your creative touch!

Lastly, the fourth division is collectibility. This division focuses on rewarding rare and collectible Breyers. Horses in these classes are judged against each other and then placed on their rarity, desirability, age and condition. Variations, vintage models and other rare models are popular entries but anything goes!

There’s also fun classes, fun day activities like Stablemate painting and games as well as the best shopping you’ll find anywhere! Don’t miss this end of the summer staple with Golden Oak Stables!

~Stacy

Email Stacy: Stacy@GoldenOakStables.com

Breyer Horse Events: Breyerwest 2011

Looking for a reason to go to the wonderful city of San Francisco? What about an excuse to visit the Grand National Rodeo? How about a weekend full of Breyer horses? Well your wish is granted! Breyer is taking over San Francisco and the Grand National Rodeo with Breyerwest 2011!

October 21st and 22nd are the dates for the biggest Breyer event to hit the West Coast! Being held in conjunction with the Grand National Rodeo, the events will be endless for this wonderful event. Shopping galore will be only part of the fun with vendors abound to get your shopping fix. There are dozens of real horse events taking place too including an AQHA show and rodeo events.

Breyer will host two shows, an open show and a novice show on Friday and Saturday. Each event will bring competitors from around the country to compete for exclusive prizes and bragging rights. In past years Breyer has also hosted workshops and seminars about the model horse hobby with the hobby’s top artists and hobbyists! If you can’t make it to Breyerfest, this is a great event for you!

An exciting event for the West Coast, Breyerwest is a wonderful event that Breyer has been bringing to us for a few years now and it grows bigger and bigger each year! This year, teamed with the Grand National Rodeo, it is sure to be a huge crowd pleaser amongst both hobbyists and non hobbyist alike!

Those on the East Coast don’t miss out on Golden Oak Stables’ full calendar of events! These events are unlike any others in the nation and are not to be missed! This weekend there is a workshop day which will guide you through prop making and customizing, two workshops that are truly not to be missed!

Stay tuned to Stable News for all the latest info including Breyerwest, Breyerfest and Golden Oak Stables events! No matter where you are in the country, there’s an event for you! Don’t miss out on what is proving to be an exciting and wonderful year for Breyer collectors. A year with events like this hasn’t come around in many year, so don’t miss your chance to participate!

~Stacy

Email Stacy: Stacy@GoldenOakStables.com

Breyer Horse Showing: NAN 2011 Review

This past weekend, Tucson Arizona played host to the North American Nationals Model Horse Show! Hosted by the North American Model Horse Shows Association (NAMHSA for short), this year end show brought the best horses in the nation to the warm Southwest for three days of the toughest competition in the country!

Hobbyists from all over the country and world came to Arizona along with their winning horses to compete for national titles. All horses that are entered into a NAN qualifying show and place first or second place at that show are automatically qualified to enter the national show once in a period of two years.

The North American Nationals, or NAN for short, travels between Kentucky on the even years and an independent location on the odd years. Arizona was chosen as the host for the 2011 show and Region 3 opened their doors wide for the rest of the country! Over a thousand horses were entered over three days of competition and dozens of national champions and reserve champions were awarded along with hundreds of national Top Ten winners.  Champions and Reserve Champions are awarded with a lovely wooden plaque celebrating their well deserved win and Top Ten winners take home huge ribbons that will remind winners of their achievement!

Also taking place was an amazing raffle where hobbyists could purchase raffle tickets to win amazing lots donated by the hobby’s most talented and amazing hobbyists! Almost 30 lots raised thousands of dollars to help NAMHSA continue providing for years to come!

All of this would not be possible though without the hard work of NAMHSA and NAN volunteers. Years of work go into each and every national shows as do hundreds of volunteer hours both before and at the event. NAMHSA is a volunteer based organization and without those wonderful volunteers, it would never be possible!

Sites are now set to NAN 2012 which takes place the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday before Breyerfest! You can start getting ready now, all horses that place 1st or 2nd in a NAN qualifying show will qualify for NAN 2012! You can get started at Golden Oak Stables’ New England Fall Live on October 22nd 2011 in Concord, NH or visit NAMHSA to get a look at shows in your region! NAN 2012 will surely be a show that you don’t want to miss! Grab your best show horses and get started today to bring home your own national champion!

 

 

~Stacy

Email Stacy: Stacy@GoldenOakStables.com