Breyer Horse Event Report: Saddle-Up For Spring 2010

This weekend marked the first show of 2010 for Golden Oak Stables, Saddle-Up For Spring. This all novice/youth show and fun day was packed to the gills with showers, Breyer lovers, family and friends alike.

Starting promptly at 10am, the classes began to fill up quickly. Many halter classes had anywhere between 40 and 60 horses in them, far more than many novice shows. With only 10 places to be awarded, nearly any horse on the table could have been awarded that blue ribbon, and just about every horse deserved to place, but with only 10 places to be given out, the judges had their work cut out for them! Our largest class was a Quarter Horse class with over 60 horses, which had to be split because it was just too big! This of course is a good thing, full classes make for good competition and there is nothing better than some good, healthy competition.

The performance classes were out of this world as well! The classes all had between 5-15 entries in them, and for performance classes that is very good! Linda, our performance judge, was blown away by the level of entries and the amazing skill that was shown that day. The creativity, craftsmanship and level of detail was truly first class. We have some really talented youths and novices in this area; watch out New England!

The custom classes were also out of this world! We have both Owner customized classes as well as Professional customized classes so that our entrants feel comfortable showing their work in a safe environment that is on a fair playing ground with others. To our surprise and excitement, our Owner customized classes were stuffed much fuller than our Professional customized classes!  To see up and coming showers also being up and coming customizers is something that we are truly proud of!

The day was also filled with fun day activities and many came from near and far to visit. It was truly a wonderful event and I am excited to say that I can’t wait until our next show in June!

So mark you calendars and get ready for Summer Break Live, June 26th 2010!

~Stacy

Email Stacy: Stacy@GoldenOakStables.com

Breyer Horses 2011 Collectors Choice Time!

You may recall that a few short months ago Golden Oak Stables told you about the  call for ideas for the 2011 collectors choice? Well Breyer has picked their three favorites and its time for you to vote!

Vote Now for 2011 Collector’s Choice Model!

It’s time to cast ballots to help Breyer choose the Spring 2011 Collector’s Choice model! Voters can select one of the three models listed below.

Voters may cast one ballot only between today, Friday, March 19 and Monday, April 5.

The three finalists are:

1. A Pinto Sport Horse on Big Ben mold #483 as a glossy charcoal pinto with a white mane and tail and three high stockings. We added a beautiful classic bald face to complete this gorgeous model. Suggested by Kellie DeFosset of Bethalto, IL.

2. Jessica Mosley of Tok, AK, suggested “Apple Jack,” who she describes as a “cuddly pony” on the Bouncer mold #707. His coat color is a soft and shaded red sorrel with a flaxen mane and tail streaked with pearly metallics to enhance his great hair details.

3. “Black Ice” was submitted by Meghan Gill of Woodinville, WA. This is a Rocky Mountain Horse done on the Ethereal mold #582 with a glossy dappled dark chocolate coat and a white mane and tail. He has a star and snip on his handsome face. As Meghan told us, in this color, the diluting gene has lightened the mane and tail to a white while leaving the body a very dark chocolate, nearly black color. This is a very unusual color, even on Rocky Mountain Horses, and it is rarely seen on any other breed.

For more info and to vote visit Breyer’s Website, here!

The spring’s 2010 collector’s choice model is not to be forgotten though! Manco Capac is a beautiful red roan Paso stallion that is firey and exotic! You can read more about him here and, as always, you can learn all about all of the latest news right here, so stay tuned!

~Stacy

Email Stacy: Stacy@GoldenOakStables.com

Breyer Horse Collecting: Old is New and HOT!

In these modern times, sometimes we are caught up with the newest and best, the fastest and sleekest, but sometimes things of the past are even more beautiful than the newest hottest thing.

One of the hottest trends in the hobby right now is vintage and retired models.  Many collectors are finding that collecting a vintage and or retired model has a bit of mystique to it because everyone can’t get the same model; they are harder to find, but still quite affordable. Many older models can still be found mint in the box just like it came from the factory, you can still be the first one to open that new model and you can have a model that many do not have!

Vintage and Retired models also tend to be more collectible because they are more difficult to find. You can’t go to just any dealer and get them. Golden Oak Stables is a standout when it comes to dealers carrying a huge selection of Vintage and Retired models! You can pick your dream horse from their selection and receive a brand new model with far more collectibility to it than a current regular run.

These models also stand out because they tend to only gain in value. If you keep your models in good shape, especially your Vintage and Retired models, they will only go up in value. This is because they aren’t producing any more of your model once it is retired. Models are all produced for a period of time, some for six months, some for sixteen years. There is no way to know how long Breyer will produce a current run for, but once they are retired, you know they are retired. Rarity doesn’t always depend on the time produced, or the number that were made. It often also depends on factors like popularity more than anything.

In the end, Vintage and Retired models are a great investment and they are fun because you probably will get a model that many collectors don’t have, or haven’t had in a very long time. In the end, always buy and collect what you love!

~Stacy

Email Stacy: Stacy@GoldenOakStables.com

Breyer Horse Showing: Picking The Right Performance Horse

Choosing the right horse to show can be difficult, but choosing the right one to show in performance showing is truly a skill.

There are many things that need to be considered when picking the right entry; many factors go into performance showing due to the intricacies of creating a realistic scene. Picking a model that is versatile is also important for performance showing. You don’t want to have to change horses and tack between each and every class, and it also can earn you big rewards if you have a horse that excels in many disciplines. Lastly, choosing a horse that has a realistic movement, mane and tail style (No braids in a Western class, for example) and a tidy attitude and appearence can help you find a ideal show horse.

One of the most accomplished performance horses is the Flash mold. This little Morgan is full of spunk and can work in a myriad of events. His position works well for both English and Western and even though he is a bit small in size, he can overcome even the biggest competition. His short size does limit him a bit, making him a poor choice for higher level competition such as Olympic events, but he can make that up with versatility. He’s available currently from Golden Oak Stables in the Fun With Model Horses set.

For someone wanting a bit more of a creative choice the Cleveland Bay mold can be used in a variety of ways. He makes a wonderful driving horse, especially the version with a braided mane and tail, but with a loose mane and tail the doors fly open. O’ Leary’s Irish Diamond is a loose mane Cleveland Bay in a beautiful dapple grey, who would look wonderful in a variety of lower level and pleasure work. Being a heavier horse than the usual stock or sport horse, you might need larger tack for him, but he will make up for it by standing out in the ring.

These are just two of hundreds of different molds that can be used in dozens of different ways. Creativity really is the biggest help to any performance shower, but a good horse can take you places!

~Stacy

Email Stacy: Stacy@GoldenOakStables.com

What’s in a Name? Choosing Names for your Breyer Horses

Some Breyer Horses come with names directly from Breyer, and some do not. Those that are named by Breyer are either named after the horse that it was made after, or it was just a made up name that one of the horse designers at Breyer thought up! Many people find that even though Breyer often names their horses, they want to make their own names for their models, and here’s a little bit more about it.

If you’ve ever entered a Golden Oak Stables show, or most any other live show for that matter, you know that at a live show, you need to name your horses. This is because there might be 10 Goffert’s on the table at any one time and we need to be able to distinguish one from all the others at any one time. Others just choose to make their own names for their horses even if they don’t show!

Some people choose names for their horses that are just at random, they pull a name off of a television show that they are listening to, or they pull words out of a close by book. These are easy and quick ways to name your horses if it isn’t your “thing”. Names need to be nothing more than one word. They can be easy things like Blackey, Chocolate, Fluffy, or silly things like Dog, Cat, Horse. It really doesn’t matter what your horse’s name is in the end, just as long as it has one.

Other people choose to make up elaborate silly names, often times to get giggles out of others. At many live shows the names of winning horses are announced over an intercom or announced to the crowd and many find it a bit of a competition to get others to giggle. A favorite Breyerfest memory of mine was when a blue, wedgewood Breyer Decorator won a championship under the name “I’ve got a Wedgie!”

Even more people choose to pick elaborate names that are related to real horses or to their own “Stable” name. Researching real horse pedigrees is a popular sub-hobby for many hobbyists. For others they have a stable name, such as “Sapphire Stream Stables” and they will use that to name all of their horses much like a championship real horse barn! So horses out of that stable would be named “Sapphire Stream’s _____”.

There are options for naming for just about anyone, but I think you’ll find once you start taking the time to pick interesting names for your horses, you’ll find that you enjoy it! Give it a try!

~Stacy

Email Stacy: Stacy@GoldenOakStables.com

Breyer Horse Show and Fun Day Only 2 Weeks Away!

Here in New England spring is finally begining to show itself with days that are sunny and daylight savings time only a few days away. This time of year also marks the first Model Horse Show at Golden Oak Stables!

March 27th, 2009 welcomes our second installment of Saddle-Up For Spring Live, an all novice and youth model horse show located at Golden Oak Stables headquarters in Concord, NH. The Golden Oak Stables Show Series are different from nearly every model horse show you’ll find anywhere, because we cater to novices and youths! That means, that if its your first time showing, or if you’ve been thinking of entering a show, our shows are perfect for you. Every show we welcome brand new showers and those who have visited a few of our shows alike. The other thing that makes us different is that we offer a full class list, with tons of divisions and classes. We even have separate classes for owner customs! So for all those budding artists bring out your creations for some even level competition, you might even get a tip or two!

In addition to the model horse show, Golden Oak Stables hosts a Breyer Fun Day to coincide with Saddle-Up For Spring in the same facility. With activities such as Stablemate Painting, Games, Raffles and more, its fun to just stop by, and there’s activities for the entire family! For those entered in the show, you can even enter the stablemate you paint into the show (Providing the class hasn’t passed yet)!

Lastly, but certainly not least, is the opportunity to browse Golden Oak Stable’s extensive inventory for your dream model! Golden Oak Stables stocks the *ENTIRE* Breyer line and has a huge inventory! You won’t find more Breyer’s anywhere.

This will also be the first time this year that the Fun Day Special Run Onyx will be available for purchase! This model is the first time the new Classic Arabian is available with a sculpted mane and tail. This model was previously released in the Best In Show collection with a mohair mane and tail, but is now released in its current form in a beautiful glossy dark gray and has a sculpted mane and tail. This is also the first time a Fun Day model has been released as a glossy!

Whether you are new or old to the hobby, if you are in the New England area mark your calendars and head on over! For more information take a look at our event calendar!

~Stacy

Email Stacy: Stacy@GoldenOakStables.com

New Breyer Horse Releases: FEI World Equestrian Games Esprit

World Equestrian Games fever has taken over both the real horse world as well as the model horse world, and Breyer’s new release, Esprit, has created even more buzz for these fantastic games!

The World Equestrian Games are the largest sporting event that the United States will see this year and it is also an exceptional opportunity for Kentucky to show true southern hospitality. These games are held every four years, in between summer Olympic years, and are considered to be even more important to the equestrian world than the Olympic Games! These world class games are truly a step above any competition!

The 2010 games are not only the first time that the games have been held outside of Europe, but it is also the first time all of the events will be held in the same location, the Kentucky Horse Park! That’s right, the same place that collectors flock to late in July for Breyerfest will play home to the most competitive and elite competition in the world. If you have been to Breyerfest in recent years you have probably noticed the large amount of construction going on in the park to prepare for the games. The Kentucky Horse Park completed construction of a state of the art indoor arena complete with meeting space and conference rooms in July of last year! Breyerfest attendees were some of the first to get a look at the new arena, which was beautiful and worthy of a world class event.

Breyer has created Esprit in honor of the “Spirit” of the games and of the horse. Esprit is a beautiful dapple grey stallion in a playful and spirited pose. With his leg extended and mane and tail flying freely in the wind, he truly captures the spirit of the horse. Breyer looked to no other than Kathleen Moody to sculpt the “poster” horse for their role in the World Equestrian Games. Kathleen Moody is a familiar name in the Breyer lineup sculpting dozens of molds over the years, from Stablemates to Silver, Kathleen’s sculptures always capture romance and spirit, what a more perfect pairing?

This year is an important one for American equestrians on the world stage, and you can take part too! Breyer is the official model horse for the World Equestrian games, so gallop on over to Golden Oak Stables to take a look at all the World Equestrian Games models!

~Stacy

Email Stacy: Stacy@GoldenOakStables.com

What Makes Breyer Horses Different?

If you have ever held a Breyer Horse you know that there is something extraordinary about them. There is something that makes them stand out in the crowd, but do you really know what is special about them?

The first thing you might notice when holding a Breyer is the plastic that they are made of. All Traditional models are molded out of Cellulose Acetate which is a very durable plastic. This plastic is very heavy and has a bit more “bend” in it than other horse models which helps them be a little more resistant to breakage. The plastic is also movable when heated up, making it relatively easy to reposition and customize.

Another astonishing thing about Breyer is that they have the most realistic horses out there. In recent years they’ve used some of the most talented horse sculptors all over the world to sculpt for them. This helps create the most realistic models that are widely available all over the world! No other toy horses even compare!

Breyer is also consistently bringing out new models with the most exceptional paint jobs that anyone could ask for! Breyer has always been the pinnacle of model horses, and their paint jobs have always been beautiful, but in recent years their colors have become more and more realistic and paint jobs with dapples and roans have become just about as realistic as you can get! They are always on the front edge of the hobby using new techniques!

Notice the exceptional shading and dappling

In addition to painting, the details that Breyer achieves in even the smallest scale is mind blowing. Nearly all models now have hand painted eyes, even some Stablemates! Many models also have hand detailed or striped hooves and very crisply painted socks and facial markings. These all may seem like little details, but they really bring the quality of their models up above anything on the market.

Even in Stablemate Scale details are not lost
You simply cannot find a more exceptional model horse, and with over 5 million produced each year, there are millions of people that agree! Check out Golden Oak Stables for the full line of Breyers, you won’t find a bigger selection or a more beautiful horse!

~Stacy

Email Stacy: Stacy@GoldenOakStables.com

Breyer Horse Showing: Collectors Class

My absolute favorite class of any show is the Collectors Class because it is the class that is filled with some of the most beautiful and interesting Original Finish horses out there.

The best way to think of a Collectors Class is as a grouping of 8-12 of your best vintage Breyers in a themed setting. Some shows will have a few different Collectors Classes, one for theme, one for models all of the same mold, ect. but many are simply one class to “catch all”. The Collectors Class division is one that dates back to the early days of showing; these classes today are a bit harder to find but still popular ones when held.

When picking models for the Collectors Class you want to first of all decide on a theme. Do you have a bunch of race horses? Or all Foals? Do you have 10 of one mold? Lots of vintage boxed models? The possibilities are endless! Whatever your theme, its most important to decide on it first; when you’ve decided on one you’ll next want to begin picking models. Collectors classes are first judged on Collectibility, or how rare the horses are, and secondly on theme. Condition is a bit less important in this class than it is with other classes, so its a good place to put those vintage models that are almost perfect. You’ll want to pick out anywhere from 8-12 horses, but read the show rules first, this sometimes varies from show to show.

Once all your models are picked out, then you can begin having fun! One of the neatest thing about the collectors class is that you normally have a portion of a table to set up your horses on, and this is frequently decorated by entrants! Typically this is done by using any type of risers (Normally a box of some sort) and a fabric to cover the risers, which the horses will sit on. Your setting doesn’t have to fit your theme perfectly, but it can add to your entry! If you have a Kentucky Derby theme, adding a fabric covered in roses, can really shine up your entry.

Lastly, and probably my favorite part of the Collectors Class, is that you can use props! So you could put old Breyer Catalogs in your entry, or back to that Kentucky Derby theme, you could put racing memorabilia throughout your entry! Let your imagination run wild and you’ll delight the judges and others as well.

Finding a Breyer horse show with a Collectors Class is a bit more difficult to find, but they are a blast! You can check them out at Breyerfest, and of course at Golden Oak Stables Open Show held in the fall! Until you find one, get your thinking caps on and start thinking about your theme!

~Stacy

Email Stacy: Stacy@GoldenOakStables.com