Breyer Models 2016 Opinions: Classics and Stablemates

Note from Emma - This was supposed to be posted two Saturdays ago. I'm so sorry it didn't get posted, it's been done! :(

Hello everyone! It's all of us here now! :P As some of you may know, most of the photos of the early 2016 Breyer models have been leaked. If you haven't seen them, here they are! We'll show the photos and then have our opinions with them. Since there are so many models, today we'll only be doing Classics and Stablemates.

CLASSICS

Classic American Pharaoh and Blanket

Emma: Meh. He just doesn't do it for me but I do admit he's cute. I'm not a classic collector at all, though. I don't mind Breyer milking the AP cash cow, though! ;)

Maddy: I agree with Emma, I'm not much of a Classic fan but this mold is super cute and from what I can tell Breyer did a pretty good job on shading, wouldn't mind having this one!

Becky: I really think his color suits the mold well and I like the added detail of the blanket, though it is oversized. I don't normally fall for non CM classics but this guy might be on my list!

Classic Jockey Set

Emma: Again, I'm not a classic collector, and this mold is one I HATE. The saddle blanket is way too big and the Breyer tack isn't very realistic. The rider is traditional and looks giantly out of scale. Not buying this one.

Maddy: YES. Hate this mold.... it just seems unnatural to me, and not sure what is going on with that tack too.... hahaha

Becky: Uhg, this could've been great...  but then there is this HUGE rider, an incorrect bridle, a general purpose saddle, and this crazy pad. I like the coloring of the horse but this mold just doesn't suit the set, it is definitely not a typical TB.

Breyer 2016 Classic Horse Of The Year: Harper

Emma: Now this one tempts me! The coloring is really nice and the mold is overall pretty good. The gait is a bit funny, but I might buy this one.

Maddy: I actually really like this one, super cute and nice pattern! Would look adorable in a western saddle, I think I'll end up getting this guy.

Becky: I like him alot! He reminds he of the Bluegrass Bandit mold crossed with Latigo... I really love his coloring and I am impressed with his shading.

Rock And Roll Forever

Emma: Not for me at all. I'm picky with decos in the first place.

Maddy: I pretty much agree with Emma, not my style, not a big deco fan.

Becky: I am not entirely a fan of this boy... I don't collect decorators because I almost only show performance. I would have been tempted if this model really had some actual rock and roll flare... but he looks  Hannah Montana 12 year oldish.

Onto Stablemates!

STABLEMATES

Valegro Mini

Emma: AWESOME new mold! I love it, great for a dressage class! And at only $5.99 he's a no brainer... Coming home with me!

Maddy: This is the first time I've seen this guy, if that's a stablemate then oh yeah! Give me 10 please!!! ;) (said like a true painter)

Becky: I really like the idea behind him... but (this might be just me) something looks off about where his neck joins his body, and his hind end and also the base of his tail. This may not be so apparent in real life, I have faith in you Breyer!

And that's it! Soon we'll do Traditionals! :D

-Emma, Maddy, And Becky

Christmas Haul 2015

Hello everyone, and Merry Christmas! Hopefully everyone had a nice, horse-filled holiday! I had a very good Christmas filled with family, food, and gifts! Both giving and receiving.

I got some really nice gifts and I’d like to share them with you! Although, I DO need to start this off with the obligatory saying that I am not spoiled and am part of a middle class family. We put aside money every month to have a ‘big’ christmas. This post isn’t meant to brag or gloat, just to show ya’ll! 

The first thing I got was the traditional American Pharaoh! He's my first on the mold and one I've been wanting for a while. Thanks Mom and Dad!

RRS Dank Memes owned by EVR

 Next I got the stablemate American Pharaoh. Again, thank you Mom and Dad!

RRS ShudaPutARingOnIt owned by EVR

My parents also got me another little stablemate. I needed a draft for my mini showstring, and now I have one! I'm thinking either Fjord cross or North Swedish Horse.

RRS Harlem Globe Trotter owned by EVR

The next thing I opened was from my aunt and uncle. Thank you! They got me Peppermint Kiss! I actually prefer him without the costume, he's such a nice dark grey.

The last Breyer item I got is the Super Sporty set! There's a long story behind these guys, but it's for another day...  I love them, though! 

RRS Little Drummer Boy owned by EVR

RRS Run Run Reindeer owned by EVR

RRS We Three Kings owned by EVR

RRS Polar Express owned by EVR

I received another Colorful Breeds paint set from my uncle, too! I love all the molds in it and of course I enjoy painting, so keep an eye out to see the results! 

Our dog (yes, our dog) got me the Model Horse Jumps flower box but I didn't get a picture because it's not raining. :(

Speaking of dogs, I found this adorable Schleich dog in my stocking! It's so cute and looks like one of the puppies we are training to be a guide dog.

Last but not least is what my brother got me. He got it in a gag gift exchange and didn't trade it because he thought of me! Love him, lol! I wonder how she'll show, hmmm...

Well, if anything I can use it to practice plaiting manes. :P

I received lots of great things for Christmas this year! What did you get? Comment down below!

Just remember the true meaning of Christmas is to celebrate Jesus's birth and spend time with family. 

Happy New Year!

-Emma

Model Horse Blab Secret Santa Haul

Every year, the popular model horse forum Model Horse Blab (if you haven't joined already, do it!) has a Secret Santa swap! It's the biggest in the hobby and gifts range from stablemates to traditional resins(!). This is the second year I've done it, and have gotten great gifts every time. Since we have this blog, I thought I'd show you my haul this year!

My santa was Cyra Nicoles, or blab name Cyra. :) So many wrapped goodies!

 

First up is a bat plush, a pamphlet, and some bookmarks! Bats are my favorite animal, and I really love all of this! :D

Next up is a set of dog toys! Our puppies love these, although the older one can't have them anymore because she ate half of it in 5 minutes. Out younger, less strong puppy LOVES them though! ;)

Another pet thing is a block of cuttlebone, which is basically a mineral block. I use in for my hermit crabs, and just sprinkle it over their food as a calcium supplement.

And kitty got a toy, too! He loves catnip, and has already played with it! (sorry for the bad photo!)

I also got a new set of paint brushes! These are really nice, and they make it a lot easier when doing complex patterns because of the quality. I've already done a horse with him!

Second to last, but certainly not least, is chocolate! This is truly some of the best I've ever tasted, better then Hershey! I already want to order some more, and the buch you sent might already be gone! ;)

Last, but REALLY not least...

Is WAPITI!

He's been a grail for me for a long time, and he's even more beautiful in person! This one is in near perfect condition, I absolutely love him, and he'll defiantly join my shoestring!

Look at that face!

And his nose is so pink! :)

The performance shower in me just HAD to tack him up.

Two barrels and a pole?

And just standing. Unfortunently his head was two big for my english bridle, so no english tack until he gets his own. ;)

Again, thank you so much Cyra!

Merry Christmas/Happy Hanukah to all of our readers!

-Emma

Gathering Storm Review

Part 2 of the review installments! 

-Gathering Storm-

Gathering Storm is the 2011 Collector's Choice Web Special released January - June

He is a charcoal grey tobiano pinto. I like how his markings are detailed and crisp and that they do not have straight edges.

His face is very cute and expressive and has some very nice shading. He also has some nice pinking in his ears and on his nose.

His mane is short and performance friendly. Even though his mane is unbraided, it is short enough to be okay for most english disciplines.

His hooves are not the same pink as his nose and ears and are a little more orangy which is nice.

One thing about him that could be a con... is that his. head. is. massive. So if you are not a tack maker this could mean ordering a lot of new bridles.

If you are a performance junkie like me you'll probably appreciate this molds versatility, he is on the bit, and is doing a *very* collected slow trot. He has a bridle friendly face and mane as well.

Maybe you'll see some photos of this boy in some tack soon! (He is feeling a bit naked!)

-Becky

Breyerfest 101: The Special Run Line

Hey everyone! This is Emma! A lot of people have trouble with understanding the special run line, and have to figure it out when they get there. Then they miss their time, and have to buy them on the secondary market for much more.

Thankfully I did an obnoxious amount of research and made a schedule (keep an eye out for a post on that!) for my first BreyerFest (2013), and everything went great. There aren't very many Breyerfest 101 type things, but the few out there are good. I figured I'd add some!

Up until Breyerfest I'll be doing posts like this. If you have any suggestions comment them down below! :)

OK, let's begin!

Honestly, the special run line is very easy. It's a little bit hard to explain, but hopefully you understand!

When you order a three-day-ticket online (which I highly recommend, you don't want to have to wait in line when you get there!), you'll receive a button, a receipt, and a special run ticket. They'll look something like this.

As you can see, they have a date and time on them. Let's skip over that for now and go over some of the technical things.

On the second to last line of the ticket, you'll see it says no exchanges. That is a lie. Both years I've been to Breyerfest (2013/2014) I've exchanged them. To do so, contact Breyer and explain the situation. They'll give you an address to send it to. Send the ticket and a nice note explaining your situation and what times would work better. Also include a self addressed envelope with a stamp so they can send it back.

I had to exchange my tickets once because it was during the youth show, and once because we were only going to be in Kentucky 2 days. The ticket was for the day we weren't there.

OK! Now onto the actual line!

You should arrive at least 15 minutes before your time, preferably 30.

Everyone will gather under the little special run line tent at this time. It's just outside the Breyer Store, and if you get lost don't hesitate to ask a fellow hobbiest. We are all nice!

At about 5 minutes before the time on your ticket, a Breyer employee will choose someone to pull a number out of a jar.

You can't see it on my photo, but every ticket will have a number on it. 

After the number is chosen, the employee will hand out wooden paddles with every ten numbers on them. 10, 20, 30, 40 for example. If they called number 10, number 26th would be number 16 in line. If you were number 9 though... You'd be last. 

If you are close to the end of the line, you can go to the front and ask people if they plan to get two horses or one. If they only want one, you can ask them to pick up the one you want and you'll pay them after. However, each ticket is only good for 2 different models. So you can only get one Surprise Horse and one other, but not two Surprise Horses or two other horses.

I felt like this needs more photos, so here's one of the foal from the 2013 mare and foal special run set! :)

Anyway, after you are all in the correct order, the employee will lead you into an alley beside the Breyer store. Several long black tables will be set up; each with an out-of-package version (except the surprise horse. More on that later!) of the special run model on it for display. When you get up to the one you like, just ask for one and it'll be handed to you in bubble wrap.

If they run out of that horse, the model will not be on the table.

A little farther up the line, you'll check out. They take most major credit cards and cash. After that, you'll funnel out into a clearing where you can unwrap the models you wish or go to the next thing!

It isn't uncommon for people who weren't in the line to be standing there waiting to see what the horses look like it person. In the case you get a rare model, people may come up asking to buy it!

That's all for this post, hope you liked it! Ask any questions you have below and I'll gladly answer them! 

The Editor In Chief

This post is all about the person behind this blog, the official Editor In Chief, Emma!

I.E. 
The person who shames us into writing posts when we're lazy.

The person who slaps us into shape when we're slacking off.

The person who always lets us know when we missed our designated post day.

Maddy and I are really good at excuses and whining...

If it weren't for Emma this blog wouldn't exist!

You're an awesome editor Emma! Keep whuppin us into shape!

-Becky

If you have any requests for posts in the future let us know! 

Note from Emma: Maddy hasn't been posting because she is working on a very requested tutorial! Becky and I will post as normal, so keep on checking the blog! ;)