Breyer Horse Collecting: Fun With Classics

Classics are Breyer’s 1/12th scale models that are full of not only realism, but fun. These models hold a place in the heart  of many collectors, and there’s no question why! The classics are fun and easy to collect but also the perfect size and have lots of fun accessories that are perfect for any age!

The Classics line of horses were introduced by Breyer in 1975 with just a handful of molds. These 1/12th scale models that stand about 6 inches tall quickly became a favorite for collectors young and old. Since 1975 nearly 100 molds have made their way into the Classics stable and there’s no sign of stopping! The first classic models were introduced in the 1960’s, but they weren’t called classics then, it wasn’t until the mid 1970’s when Breyer brought a set of classic race horses to collectors that the Classic name became a collecting term. The Classic scale has also been a popular size for family sets over the years.

Today the Classics line is full of horses, sets and accessories that will have any collector excited! New molds have been added to the lineup in the past few years including new Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse and Halflinger molds! There’s also new foals that will have everyone excited for a new baby in the barn. Classics are also so much fun for play, with sets like the Vet Care Set and Pet Sitter that allow us to play pretend a bit. There’s a Classics Barn for you to start a stable of your own full of all of your fantasy horses and the fun only begins there!

So head on over to Golden Oak Stables and check out the Classics. There’s so much fun to  be had, you probably will be surprised by what this beautiful scale of horses holds!

~Stacy

Email Stacy: Stacy@GoldenOakStables.com

Breyer Horse Showing: Fall Foliage Is Just Around The Corner!

Cool air is blowing in and holidays are right around the corner but you have one more chance this year to get out to Golden Oak Stables  on October 12th to show off your models and compete with other collectors for a chance at those coveted blue ribbons and NAN cards!

Fall Foliage is the perfect chance to bring your Breyer horses out to show  the world how versatile and wonderful Breyer horses really are!

In the Original Finish classes you’ll see new and old alike showing Breyer’s wide range of horses from the past 60 years! These tend to be some of the largest classes and the competition is stiff, any ribbon is truly an honor! One neat thing about the Original Finish classes is that there will be two judges evaluating your horse. The Breed judge will be looking for the horse that is most realistic.  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!

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!

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

~Stacy

Email Stacy: Stacy@GoldenOakStables.com

Real Life Breyer Horses: What Are The Horse Types?

You might have heard someone refer to what type of horses any number of horses are, light breeds, sport breeds, draft breeds. It all sounds like a science, but once you know what to look for, understanding the different breed types is easy as can be!

Light breeds are a common type of breed that includes one of the oldest breeds in the world, the Arabian. The light breed category is made up of horses that are similar in type to the Arabian and also in most cases, carry a lot of the same ancestors. Breeds like the National Show Horse, Barb and Akhal Teke are commonly considered light breeds.

Gaited breeds are a close cousin to the light breeds, these horses are known for their additional gaits that they show off in the show ring. Horses like the American Saddlebred, Tennessee Walking Horse and the Rocky Mountain Horse are all considered gaited breeds because of their unique gaits only known to their breeds.

The Sport Breeds are a group of horses known for their athleticism and endurance. All Warmbloods are considered sport breeds as are Thoroughbreds and breeds like the Selle Francois. These horses excel at events such as show jumping, eventing and dressage.

Stock Breed horses are horses that we often associate with working cattle stock on ranches. These working horses are known for their calf roping, barrel racing and working the ranch. The Quarter Horse, Appaloosa, Paint and unique breeds like the Australian Stock Horse are all considered stock breeds.

Ponies are an easy type to distinguish because it is the only type that is determined by size. Ponies stand less than 14.2 hands and are popular mounts for children and adults alike! The Welsh Pony, Shetland Pony and Chincoteague Pony are all examples of these little horses with big hearts!

Last but certainly not least are the gentile giants known as the Draft Type. These horses were bred for their size to work on farms pulling wagons and other hard work. Clydesdales, Shires and Percherons are all draft breeds that we recognize today.

No matter what type of horse you love, they’re all unique from one another for one special reason or another! Do you collect a certain type of horse? Pay attention the next time you pick out a horse at Golden Oak Stables, you may notice a pattern!

~Stacy Email Stacy: Stacy@GoldenOakStables.com

Breyer Horse Collecting: Playing Favorites

There’s a certain feeling you get when you open a box from Golden Oak Stables and see a new horse waiting for you. A feeling of excitement that nothing can explain. There are dozens of things to love about collecting Breyer horses, from their beauty to the fun of it, there’s every reason in the world! When you sit down and think about it, there is so much to enjoy that it’s hard to pick a place to start, but isn’t that the fun of it?

One of the most exciting parts about collecting Breyers is having your own stable full of champions! Most of us will never get the chance to own dozens of top show horses and get to ride them all day long, so Breyers are a fun alternative! You can fill you stables with so many champions of the horse world that you won’t know who to start with! You can experience all kinds of disciplines and learn all about the real horses in the sport with your models, what is not to love?

Many collectors enjoy the showing and competitive world of Breyers. Live and Photo shows allow collectors to compete in competitions much like real horses shows. These competitions are fierce and can bring out some of the most beautiful collections and some of the most creative people! Competitors show their regular Breyer horses, their customized ones and some even show performance classes, where details are the key, to try to bring home one of those coveted rosettes. Many collectors find a great deal of fun in the friendly competition that Breyers bring.

Another favorite of the Breyer horse hobby is the community and friendships that exist in it. Bringing together people of similar interests has long happened in the model horse hobby and many great friendships have been started simply through a plastic horse. It’s amazing to think that a simple hobby has created lasting friendships, but many hobbyists will tell you that it’s the most rewarding part of being involved.

That’s just the tip of the iceberg, there’s so much to love about the Breyer hobby! What is your favorite thing about the hobby? Big or small, you’re bound to share it with someone!

 

~Stacy Email Stacy: Stacy@GoldenOakStables.com

Breyer Horse New Releases: Appaloosa Indian Pony

One of the most iconic American breeds is that of the Appaloosa, this spotty and flashy breed has become a staple in the equestrian world for their versatility and beauty. New for fall 2013, Golden Oak Stables brings you a new creation from Breyer that brings a new beauty to this beloved breed.

There are hundreds of different breeds of horses all over the world. Each one has developed over thousands of years to not only adapt to their surroundings but also to perform jobs by humans. The Appaloosa is a breed with a long history that can be traced back to the Spanish conquistadors of centuries past. The breed originated hundreds of years ago when Spanish horses made their way into the Americas and bred with native horses. One of the most recognizable Appaloosa ancestor is the Native American Nez Perce horse. These spotted horses found their way into the wild and into the eyes of ranchers and soon were bred to be the breed we know today! Appaloosas today compete in every discipline you could imagine, from racing at the track to western pleasure, there isn’t a discipline that they haven’t mastered!

Breyer brings a foundation style Appaloosa to collectors with the Appaloosa Indian Pony. This buckskin blanket Appaloosa has stunning dapples throughout his expertly shaded coat. A white blanket pattern sits on his hind quarters and details like striped hooves and a wide blaze give him a stunning and beautiful look unlike no other. Giving a nod to his Native American heritage, Breyer has given him a few feathers tied into his mane that gives him the perfect finishing touch.

Learn about the historic and beautiful Appaloosa breed with a new addition to your stable. A new addition is the perfect way to expand your equestrian knowledge and bring a bit of beauty home!

~Stacy Email Stacy: Stacy@GoldenOakStables.com

Real Life Breyer Horses: Michael Jung’s Sam

Breyer has long brought champions of all equestrian sports to collectors. From famous race horses to western superstars, Breyer has brought hundreds of famous horses to collectors all over the world. New for fall 2013, you can bring home a superstar of the Olympic world to your collection and raise the bar in your stable!

Foaled in 2000, Sam, a Wurttenburg gelding, has become a super star of the eventing world! In just the past three years Sam has become equine royalty with Michael Jung on his back. The pair first came to the world’s stage at the 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games in Lexington Kentucky. They proved their place in the eventing world by claiming the World Championship over the most accomplished riders in the world! In 2011 the pair competed in their home country of Germany in the FEI European Eventing Championships and came home with their first European championship and then helped the German team bring home the gold! In 2012 the pair brought home another gold medal, at the Olympics! They not only were awarded the gold medal for Eventing but they were also part of the German team that brought home the overall gold, no small task to say the least!

Breyer has created a portrait model of Sam to bring this amazing horse to collectors all over the world. His beautiful bay coat is richly shaded and beautifully recreated on the athletic Cigar mold. His details have been carefully created including two socks, a star and a deep black mane and tail! Not only is he accomplished, but he’s beautiful as can be!

Golden Oak Stables helps you bring the horses of your dreams to your stable. Now, you can add one of the biggest stars in Eventing to your stable with Sam!

~Stacy Email Stacy: Stacy@GoldenOakStables.com

Breyer Horse Collecting: How Breyer Horses Are Made

It might seem like magic, the way you can open a package from Golden Oak Stables and have one of the most realistic horse sculptures in the world in your hands, but there are a lot of artists and artisans that your horse is worked on by before it comes to you. The process to make a Breyer horse is a long one, but the results are worth it.

All Breyer horses start off as sculptures in the hands of some of the most talented horse sculptors in the world! Sculpting can take time, so many sculptures take several years to come from clay to a horse you can hold in your hands. After the sculptor has worked their magic and created a new Breyer horse, the model is taken and a mold is formed. These molds are used to mold and create every single Breyer that will be made of that sculpture. Models come out of the molds in two halves (and sometimes even more pieces are added to the model), and are put together, sanded, and checked for imperfection. In this stage models are all white plastic and are called white ware.

The next stage of creating a Breyer really defines the horse as what it truly is, this step is painting! Several painters will give the horse every detail, from coat color, to socks, to detailing in the eyes. These meticulous details are painted on with great detail, giving every Breyer a realistic and stunning appearance! Models are then given final touches and are sealed in those iconic yellow boxes we all know and love.

From there, Breyers are sent to Golden Oak Stables where they are then sent on to collectors like you! The process can take awhile, but the results are amazing. Thinking about how many artists are responsible for creating each and every horse can be awe inspiring, and when you look at a whole collection of Breyers it can be even more so. Breyer horses are truly a piece of art!

 

~Stacy Email Stacy: Stacy@GoldenOakStables.com

Breyer Horse Collecting: What Inspires You?

Collecting for many people is an act of both love and creativity. There are many creative pursuits in the model horse hobby, from customizing your Breyers to live showing, what inspires you?

The most obvious creative inspiration for many are real horses, and the desire to create an experience like the real thing. For many this simply means collecting, and collecting the horses that you’ve desired for many years. Stables become full with our dream horses and our dreams come true through Breyer horses.

Others are inspired to make their own creations through customizing their Breyers. These creative pursuits have created many great artists and even more amazing horses. Model horse artists have created horses that rival fine artists from around the world and can create works of art that are so realistic, you’d expect them to breathe!

Live showing is a way to express your creativity too in many different ways. Naming and pedigreeing your horses is a way to create a stable full of champions and bring them to the show ring, just like the real thing! This is an activity that has helped collectors not only interact with their collections, but learn about the real horse counterparts of Breyers!

Some collectors are inspired to create the most realistic scenes possible in miniature. This goes above and beyond just a realistic horse and down to every detail of barns, equipment, tack and more! There are classes for these types of collectors at live shows, called Performance classes, but many collectors simply do this for fun!

Collectors can also be inspired by simply collecting, and adding new models to their collections. Bringing a new model in is always a chance to celebrate and a beautiful new Breyer is inspiring to say the least!

No matter what inspires you, the love for Breyer horses inspires all of us. The next time you choose a new model from Golden Oak Stables, take a minute to think about what inspired you about the horse, you might be surprised by what you discover!

~Stacy Email Stacy: Stacy@GoldenOakStables.com

Breyer Horse Showing: All About Judging

Many people have given live model horse showing a try once, but even if you haven’t, you might wonder just how it’s done. It seems odd to be able to judge a table full of plastic horses against one another, but once you see things from the judges eyes, it’s very easy to see how and why it’s done.

One of the most important things to remember when it comes to showing your Breyer horses is that each one is hand painted. This leaves lots of room for variations between horses. These variations can range anywhere from the shade of the horse to painting details in the eyes to large variations like glossy and matte. This makes the job of judging both fun and hard. You’ll notice judges spend a a great deal of time looking at the details of each individual horse, and if you have the chance to see a class with a bunch of the same models in it, things can get very interesting! These classes can be very difficult for a judge to evaluate but can produce some of the most interesting results!

Judges will mainly evaluate the horse on how close to it’s real life counterpart it is. Things like anatomy and bio-mechanics are important to model horse showing and can be the difference between taking a ribbon home and not. Model horse judges follow the same standards as the real horse breeds the models are portraying, so a judge is looking for the same things in the Quarter Horse class for both real and model horses!

The last thing that comes often into play is condition. You want to make sure your models are free of rubs, dust and other flaws when you choose which ones to bring, this is often the make or break factor when choosing between horses, so bring only your best! Some judges will allow some leeway for vintage models, but it’s always best to bring only your most well cared for models!

Now that you know what the judge is looking for, why not give it a shot yourself? There’s always an opportunity at Golden Oak Stables!

~Stacy Email Stacy: Stacy@GoldenOakStables.com