Real Breyer Horses: Arabians

The Arabian is one of the oldest and most recognizable breeds of horses. They are also one of the most beloved breeds with fans all over the world.

Arabian Horses were originally bred in the Middle East over 4000 years ago and the desert climate that Arabians were bred in has created some of the most distinct features of the breed. The Arabian horse was bred by the Bedouins who were nomads in the middle east. The Bedouins bred the horses to withstand anything the vast deserts that they lived and survived in could throw at them. Being a part of the family was also important to the relationship between the Arabian horse and the Bedouin people, creating a kind nature. But don’t let this fool you; the Arabian horse was also used as a war mount and can be quite spirited still.

Some of the characteristics that make the Arabian one of the most easily recognizable breeds include a dished profile and large nostrils. The eyes of the Arabian are also large and the horse is a more “compact” than most full size horses. The rainbow that Arabians come in is large and colorful including Bay, Black, Chestnut, Grey,and Sabino. The dilute gene does not exist in the Arabian breed so there are no palomino Arabian horses.

Today Arabian horses are used in just about any discipline you can imagine. They are popular mounts for endurance riding due to their stamina and when bred with Thoroughbreds they make great mounts for eventing.

Golden Oak Stables and Breyer offer many Arabians that you can bring into your own show string. Azhar is featured on one of Breyer’s first Arabian molds, released in 1956. He is a fiery chestnut with socks and a star and snip for markings. He is a bit stylized but features a very dished profile making him easily recognizable as an Arabian. Any of the Ethereal Models could be Arabian Crosses, especially Wind. His dappled coat and small stature combined with his dished profile makes him a good Arabian cross. The Black Stallion is a famous Arabian offered by Breyer that includes a DVD of his feature film. The Black Stallion film is a great way to help understand a bit more about the breed.

S’Justadream is a new release and a new mold for Breyer that is a famous Arabian horse! This flashy chestnut mare is bright and perky and ready to make her way into your stable! This new mold is proving to be popular already and will be one to remember for time to come!

Arabians are some of the oldest and well known horses in the world today; their beauty and good nature make them a favorite for many horse lovers. Its easy to add one Arabian to your stable, but the hard part will be adding *only* one!

~Stacy

Email Stacy: Stacy@GoldenOakStables.com

Real Life Breyer Horses: The Appaloosa

The Appaloosa horse is well known for its spotted coat that creates stunning and eye catching patterns. Born out of a Native American background this flashy horse has become a favorite for both horse lovers and model horse lover alike.

Thought to be created by the Nez Perce Indians, the Palouse horse, or Appaloosa was discovered in the late 1800’s and by the 1930’s there were several breeders that were working to keep this breed alive and a breed organization was formed in 1938. The Appaloosa is an extremely popular breed today and is a favorite of countless horse lovers all around the world.

Appaloosas are known for their leopard spotted coat which is the preferred spotting pattern. Beyond the leopard spotting pattern, other pattens include the Snowflake Appaloosa with the appearance of frosted spotting. The Blanket Appaloosa is a pattern that creates a white “Apron” across the hindquarters that contains spots within it. Other patterns include, Frost, Few spot Leopard and Varnish Roan.

Typically Appaloosas were known as stock horses that were active in Western disciplines including cow work, barrel racing, and rodeo work. Recent years have found the Appaloosa horse many new facets including English Riding. Appaloosa’s are quickly becoming mounts for any type of work or discipline.

Breyer and Golden Oak Stables have many Appaloosas in their stables. DZ Weedo is a famous Appaloosa stallion that has become a quick favorite for many collectors. He is a flashy buckskin blanket appaloosa that has captured many hearts. Little Tahoma is the perfect picture of an Appaloosa Yearling. Featured on the Quarter Horse Yearling mold he captures the beauty of the breed and the innocence of a young horse. One of the recent releases that has become a quick favorite is Fire from the Ethereal Series. Fire is an extremely flashy chestnut appaloosa that is detailed to the extreme! His paint job is one of the most detailed paint jobs that Breyer has ever produced.

Big or small, black or white, the Appaloosa is beautiful and flashy. Its a breed that has become both versatile and beautiful and isn’t going anywhere anytime soon!

~Stacy

Email Stacy: Stacy@GoldenOakStables.com

Real Life Breyer Horses: Rags to Riches

There are many great colts in Thoroughbred racing but a great filly doesn’t come along every day. In 2007 we got to meet a filly that has found a place in many hearts.

Rags to Riches was born in 2004 out of A.P. Indy (Sire) and Better than Honour (Dam). On her sire’s side was the famous Seattle Slew, Secretariat and Bold Ruler, and on her dam’s side was the famous Northern Dancer. Rags was bred out of the small Skara Glen Stables in Pennsylvania, known for its Thoroughbred breeding program, but not just race horses, they are also known for their hunters and jumpers!

In 2005 Rags to Riches was brought to Keenland for sale and sold for an astonishing 1.9 million dollars to Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith. She was sent to training at the age of two with Todd Pletcher. It was clear that, while she was fast, she would flourish at long distances. In January of 2007 she was brought into competition at Santa Anita race track and won her first race by six lengths. She then went on to win a few other races and eventually the Kentucky Oaks. This little filly was really making people notice!

In June of 2007 she was entered in the prestigious Belmont stakes and she truly made it memorable. She faced Curlin, the horse of the year and a strong competitor himself. She stumbled out the gate and while that would take a normal horse out of the race, she still found her way to the front of the pack and dueling it out with Curlin at the final stretch. In the end, it would be the first time a filly had won the Belmont in over a century!

Rags was retired shortly after due to a front pastern injury and was bred for the first time in 2008. In early 2009 she gave birth to her first foal and is expecting again!

Breyer’s Rags to Riches is featured on the wonderful Ruffian mold who is also a famous champion filly. She is in full stride heading towards the finish line with a wreath of flowers already over her winning neck. She is a stunning bright chestnut and has a long blaze down her face with three socks. She’s truly a beauty to behold.

Check out all the race horses that Breyer has to offer at Golden Oak Stables and keep an eye out for Rags’ offspring, they’re sure to make a splash some day soon!

~Stacy

Email Stacy: Stacy@GoldenOakStables.com

Real Life Breyer Horses: Smarty Jones

In 2004 a chestnut colt found his way into many of our hearts. Resembling his famous family and touching the lives of those who were lucky enough to see him race.

Born in February of 2001, Smarty Jones was bred with an exceptional pedigree with relatives such as Funny Cide, Afleet Alex, Northern Dancer and Secretariat. He was born to Someday Farm in Pennsylvania. Smarty was named after the co-owner’s mother, who’s nickname was Smarty Jones, because the two of them shared a birthday!

In 2003 Smarty began his racing career in a big way! He began training with John Servis and by the end of 2003 they were sure Smarty was something special winning several small races in big ways. In early 2004 he went to race in the Count Fleet stakes at Aqueduct Park in New York State. He won his first stakes race by 5 lengths proclaiming him a real contender for the derby! In the winter and early spring of 2004 Smarty went on to compete and win in three other stakes races before finally going to the Derby.

On May 1st 2004 the once unknown horse from Pennsylvania went on to win the prestigious Kentucky Derby. He was the first unbeaten horse to win the Kentucky Derby since Seattle Slew in 1977. In addition to the purse for the Kentucky Derby, Smarty also was awarded an additional 5 million dollars for sweeping The Rebel Stakes, The Arkansas Stakes and The Kentucky Derby.

Smarty then went on to the other legs of the Triple Crown and while he brought home the win in the Preakness he was sadly shut out of the Belmont, the only race he ever lost. After the Belmont Smarty was put into retirement and now lives a quiet life in Lexington, Kentucky at Three Chimney’s Farm.

The Breyer Smarty was released on a brand new mold in honor of his release. He is featured in a full gallop with a base resembling the home stretch of your favorite race track. His dynamic position and energy has made him stick out in a crowd. In 2009 Smarty was joined by his grandfather Secretariat who is featured on the same mold. They make a beautiful pair! There are many beautiful racehorses produced by Breyer every year, check out Golden Oak Stables to see if your favorite star has been immortalized.

Smarty is a modern day champion that will be remembered for years to come! His spirit and determination has created one of the greatest champions of our generation, and will surely sit in our hearts for a long time to come.

~Stacy

Email Stacy: Stacy@GoldenOakStables.com

Real Breyer Horses: DZ Weedo – Champion Appaloosa

A champion appaloosa is always a sight to behold. One that has accomplished as much as this one is truly another story.

DZ Weedo is the grand son of Zippo Pine Bar, one of the most famous and accomplished Quarter Horse stallions of our lifetime. In 1994 DZ was born to the world and started taking the appaloosa world by storm at age 3 when he won the Appaloosa champion trail horse. He then in 1998 was named the Appaloosa western champion. He holds world and national titles in trail riding, western riding, western pleasure and bareback equitation.

His flashy coat is one thing that truly makes him stand out in a crowd. His beautiful blanked appaloosa pattern with big bold spots are a stand out in the ring, but his most remarkable feature is his coat. Standing out in the ring is a blanketed appaloosa with a bright and metallic buckskin coat that just shimmers. Two socks and a deep black mane and tail finish off this winning package.

DZ Weedo is last but certainly not least a sire that is creating champions over and over again! His offspring have also won several world and national titles as well as titles in racing. Through his offspring, DZ is creating a legacy that will live on for years and years to come.

Breyer released the beautiful DZ Weedo model in the spring of 2008. DZ is featured on the updated Stock Horse Stallion mold. For the DZ Weedo release, Breyer sculpted a new tail for the mold to create a fresh new look especially for this model. That summer brought a few very rare variations of this model. Breyerfest 2008 brought glossy DZ Weedo’s that were given away as prizes for the Breyerfest youth show. There are only a handful of these and they are nearly impossible to be found. The other variation that Breyer released was a few hundred DZ Weedo’s without spots! Its unknown if this was intentional or not, but it certainly makes this model all the more memorable.

You can check out DZ Weedo on the Golden Oak Stables website as well as many other western champions. This flashy beautiful stallion is sure to bring some color and pizazz to any stable.

~Stacy

Email Stacy: Stacy@GoldenOakStables.com

“Real” Breyer Horses: The Saddle Club

The word “real” is stretched a little bit this week when referring to “The Saddle Club” but to its fans, The Saddle Club is as real as any horse alive. Stevie, Carol and Lisa have become friends to many in their nearly 25 years.

The original Saddle Club was a series of novels written by Bonnie Bryant in 1986. Bonnie was a horse lover that had spent little time with horses aside from her time at summer camp in upstate New York. The books vary a bit from the television show that most people are more familiar with in a few ways, the main being set in Willow Creek Virginia. The other main difference is the coat colors of the horses. Starlight was originally a dark bay with a star and Belle was also a bay. They are portrayed a bit differently in the show. The book series saw 101 novels and countless other spin-offs.

The Saddle Club television show began airing in 2001 and after a hiatus of 5 years, returned in 2008 with a new cast and show! There have now been over 70 episodes shot and its still going strong. The television show is shot in Victoria Australia and features actors and actresses from Australia, although it does air all over the world. In the television show Stevie’s horse Belle is a chestnut and Carol’s horse Starlight is a bright buckskin. These are the two main difference in the show and the books. The show has also seen the begining of a successful music line performed by The Saddle Club girls! They even performed at Breyerfest!

Some collectors will remember that Breyer created a The Saddle Club line of horses in the mid 1990’s, that was unfortunately discontinued by 1998, but in the past couple years we’ve seen the line return with new horses! The line features traditional horses featuring Prancer, Belle and Starlight, a classics line that also features horses with accessories, a plush line and stablemates! You can take a look at the entire line on GoldenOakStables.com which features tons of Saddle Club horses, dolls and accessories.

The Saddle Club may have started as a book series that horse lovers from a generation past fell in love with but with both a television show and a new Breyer line, there are many young girls that are finding the series over 20 years later! I’m sure we’ll be seeing more of The Saddle Club for many years to come!

~Stacy

Email Stacy: Stacy@GoldenOakStables.com

Real Breyer Horses: Thee Desperado

Breyer is famous for creating champions in plastic 1/9th scale, and Thee Desperado is no exception. Not only is the real Thee Desperado a well deserving and amazing Egyptian Arabian, but his Breyer horse is also a favorite among collectors! This became clear at Golden Oak Stables’ workshop day when many participants were very excited to get their hands on one!

Thee Desperado was born in 1989 he was thrust into a hard life early. As happens occasionally, his mother refused to nurse him and they called in experienced help. Shawn Crews from Arabians Limited was called in and she immediately saw him as a star seeing something different in him. Well, he didn’t disappoint! Thee is one of the most famous of the rare Egyptian Arabian line and holds the honor of being the top producing sire for that particular line of Arabians as well as a national champion many times over. His offspring live all over the world including the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia.

Desperado’s showing record speaks for itself, in 1993 he was honored with top ten placings at both the United States and Canadian Nationals. Then in 1994 he was named Region 9’s Grand Champion Stallion. Then at Scottsdale, one of the most famous Arabian horse shows, he was named Unanimous Grand Champion Stallion. Capping off a great year he ended with a win of the United States Reserve National Champion Stallion. Quite a way to burst onto the scene for a little “Runt” colt!

After taking the show scene by storm he went on to stud. From 1996-2006 he was even named the Overall Leading Sire of the Egyptian Event. His foals have gone on to show and compete well and one even became a film star! Thee Cyclone, a son of Thee Desperado, was selected n the lead role for Disney’s IMAX representation of The Young Black Stallion!

The model Thee Desperado is done on the Proud Arabian Stallion mold that was sculpted by Chris Hess and introduced in 1971. The Proud Arabian Stallion is a stylized version of an older style Egyptian Arabian, very appropriate for Thee Desperado. The Proud Arabian Stallion (Sometimes shortened by collectors to PAS) has been made in many colors over the years, but has never been given the honor of being such a famous stallion! He’s full of energy and pride and makes the perfect representation of Thee!

Breyer produces many champions each year, but Thee Desperado is a champion that stands out among many, from his beauty to his offspring, he’s well on his way to becoming a horse that will live far beyond his years on earth.

~Stacy

Email Stacy: Stacy@GoldenOakStables.com

Real Breyer Horses: Cloud The Wild Mustang

Many horse and model horse lovers alike have fallen in love with the story of Cloud the mustang. Cloud was recently captured in a roundup by the Bureau of Land Management and people all over the world are fighting for this horse to be returned to the wild, including Breyer!

Cloud is a pale palomino, wild horse stallion, living in the Pryor Mountains of Montana, a range the Crow Indians call the Arrowheads. Cloud has been documented from the day of his birth by Emmy-winning filmmaker, Ginger Kathrens. Her films about Cloud, “Cloud: Wild Stallion of the Rockies” and “Cloud’s Legacy: The Wild Stallion Returns” air on PBS’s Nature series and represent the only on-going documentation of a wild animal in our hemisphere. Ginger’s Cloud chronicles have been compared to Jane Goodall’s work with chimpanzees in Africa. Ginger has written two books about Cloud.

Cloud touched the hearts of many defending his family and fighting for his freedom. His stunning, nearly white, coat was stunning and while it made him beautiful it also made him an easy target for predators. America gained the right to see the tough life of some of America’s last wild horses. Wild horses in America face many challenges including predators as well as their grazing lands constantly being reduced. In August of 2009 Cloud was victim of a BLM round up and his future is uncertain. Many are pushing for him to be released with petitions and protests.

Breyer has been a cloud supporter for many years now creating Breyer horses of Cloud and his family to help awareness of the famous stallion, his family and their plight. Currently there are two sets available, Cloud’s Legacy, and Cloud: Challenge of the Stallions, both available through Golden Oak Stables. Both sets are family sets featuring adults and foals from Cloud’s family including Cloud himself. They are featured on Breyer classic scale models and each includes for horses, two adults and two foals.

Cloud’s story is one that has touched many and with his recent capture might turn into a tragic story in the end. More information can be found on Cloud on PBS.com and you can watch the latest documentary in October. The Breyer models are not only fitting tributes to Cloud and his family but they have also helped to create publicity to this very important issue.

One day we may not have any wild horses in America, much less the world. As horse lovers its our job to preserve the mustangs and their legacy.

~Stacy

Email Stacy: Stacy@GoldenOakStables.com

Real Life Breyer Horses: Theodore (Teddy) O’Connor

A small little pony named Teddy began taking the stage of American Eventing in 2006 and touched so many hearts in his short time on earth. He gave people hope and something to believe in.

Theodore, often called Teddy, O’Connor was born in 1995, and though was called a pony due to his size (14.1 hands high), he is actually of mostly thoroughbred breeding with a bit of Arabian (1/8th) and a bit of Shetland pony (1/8th). Theodore O’Connor began his career at three-years-old by his breeder and moved onto a competitive career as a hunter, jumper and then eventing when he was six, and continued up through Preliminary under rider Nicole Villers, then Christan Trainor rode him on through the Advanced level and finished in 8th place at his first large event. Olympian Karen O’Connor then rode him at the Advanced level, taking him to the prestigious Rolex Three Day where he finished an unheard of 3rd, with only 4.4 time faults cross-country. He then qualified for the Pan-American Games, as part of the US Eventing Team, where he won not only the team gold, but beat out several more experienced horses to also win the individual gold. In 2008 he finished well at the Rolex placing 6th and was short listed for the Olympics in Beijing China.

In May 2008 Teddy spooked on the O’Connor farm in Virginia and was severely injured. Unfortunately the injury was exteremely severe and he had little to no chance of recovery. The O’Connors made the tough decision to put Teddy to rest. Sadly we didn’t get to see this pony to his fullest potential, but he lives on in our hearts as a “Super Pony”.

Breyer created a Teddy O’Connor model in 2008 and he’s been a popular show horse at Golden Oak Stables shows, in both Halter and Performance. Teddy is done on the Phar Lap mold which has honored many great eventers, including Dr.Peaches who was the first Breyerfest model.

Teddy is an unbelievable pony who is deeply missed by all who knew him. Thankfully, as model horse collectors, we all have the chance to own a little piece of Teddy.

~Stacy

Email Stacy: Stacy@GoldenOakStables.com

Real Life Breyer Horses: Secretariat

On March 30 1970 a bright red chestnut foal was born on Meadow Farm in Caroline County Virginia. The son of Bold Ruler and Somethingroyal would one day touch the hearts of millions with his determination and talent.

Secretariat was owned by Penny Cheney and was born with a bright red chestnut coat, three socks and a narrow blaze. He was nicknamed “Big Red”, the same as one of the most famous and prolific Thoroughbred stallions to have ever raced, Man O’War. The name Secretariat is something of a story, Meadows Stables’ had submitted 10 entries to the Jockey’s Club for admission and each one of them was designed. On the 11th try, Meadows Stables’ secretary entered the name Secretariat which was a name for a Secretary’s association that she once belonged to. On the 11th try, it was approved!

In his racing career Secretariat made history more times than can be counted. He began with a Kentucky Derby win time of under 2 minutes. The next time this would happen is nearly 30 years later in 2001. He then went on to compete and win the second round of the Triple Crown, the Belmont. The last leg of the Triple crown was the Belmont and what would be his most famous race. On that day in 1973 Secretariat would break the record for the fastest 1 1/2 mile in history, finishing in 2:24. In addition to this, he blew the competition away by winning the race by 31 lengths, and absolutely unheard of amount.

After his three wins, Secretariat was awarded the Triple Crown, which only 8 horses prior to him were able to claim. He was also named horse of the year for 1972 and 1973. After his racing career he went on to stud over 600 foals. In 1989 Secretariat was stricken with Laminitis and was put to rest. He was buried at Claiborne farm in Paris Kentucky.

Breyer has welcomed a new Secretariat into its product line this year. This Secretariat is featured on the Smarty Jones mold and features the famous chestnut coat and blaze. Many would argue that he is a large improvement over the former Breyer Secretariat.

I was pleased to pick up Secretariat at Golden Oak Stables‘ workshop day this past Saturday, and very pleased to say he’s a fitting tribute. His body is a bit stocky for a modern Thoroughbred, but he makes a great performance prospect that will excel in many different disciplines. Your imagination is the limit.

Secretariat will stay in the hearts of old and young for years to come. Anyone that has seen him race, whether in person or in video will understand the respect that is given to this true athlete.

~Stacy

Email Stacy: Stacy@GoldenOakStables.com