Collecting Model Horses: From Toys to Antiques

I still remember opening the boxes containing the white stallion Legionario III and the bay Running Mare and Foal, on Christmas Day, in 1978 at my dad's house.

At one point in the late 80's, my collection surpassed 250 models and spanned several tiers of shelves in the basement. Before meeting *real* collectors on the Internet, I thought that it was HUGE. Of course, now I know that many people have collections numbering in the thousands!

So I can better afford my horsey habit, now I only collect one mold, Breyer's Midnight Sun Tennessee Walking Horse mold. I think I have a complete collection (aka "conga line") of the horses available in this mold, but still need some photos, and some variations.

To help fund my small but sometimes expensive collection, I also customize new mold Breyer Stablemate miniatures and a few others, and sell them through online auctions like eBay.

The remainder of my herd moved on to greener pastures. Only a few models with particular sentimental value remain on the dusty top shelf: my original well-worn bay running foal, the obligatory palomino FAS and the Black Stallion (gifts from my father on my 10th birthday) and a Stablemate Native Dancer (purchased on a grade school field trip).

If you're just getting started, it may be easier to choose a favorite make (such as Peter Stone Horses) or a breed (anything Appaloosa) or even a mold, such as the Breyer Rearing Stallion. Otherwise, the sheer volume of choices may be overwhelming.

Midnight Sun was a famous Tennessee Walking Horse. Although this mold, in a "big lick" pose, does not accurately portray Midnight Sun, I am a big fan of the breed.

I have what I believe to be a complete collection of every model Breyer has made available in this mold, except any new models since 2002.

#60 Midnight Sun, Famous Tennessee Walker, black, 1972-1987
I have the first Midnight Sun model I ever saw, bought new in the early 80's, along with the paper picture box he came in. I also have one mint in the clear plastic box that I *believe* was first used in 1987, so I think this is rather hard to come by.
I am looking for elusive variations, such as a 'chalky' (I have heard the plastic is PURPLE on some of these), factory unpainted, and factory goofs such as white socks or face markings, and wrong-colored ribbons.

#SR60? Tennessee Walking Horse, chestnut, 1984
Approximately 220 were produced for the 1984 Model Horse Congress. Rare, I finally got one after years of searching!! Mine is in near-mint condition, with only one rub. (Unfortunately a rather conspicuous one, on the right shoulder, but oh well ~ he is finally mine!! *g*) The color is usually a light/medium chestnut, sometimes almost washed-out looking.

#704 Tennessee Walking Horse, bay, 1988-1989
I have one of these in a realistic reddish-brown and mint in box. I had a couple of them in spaghetti sauce red-orange, but had to sell. =(

#854 Memphis Storm, Tennessee Walking Horse, glossy charcoal, 1992
Commemorative Edition. There were 7500 produced, all hand-numbered. Mine is #0270/7500, mint in box. They are numbered in black which is difficult to read, you have to hold them at an angle. Color on these varies from black to greyish-black or brownish-black, with white mane and tail.

#913 'High Flyer' Tennessee Walking Horse, chestnut pinto, 1995-1996
I have one, he is mint in box. Average color. Might be enticed by an odd variation, let me know if you have one for sale.

#703096 WCHE TWH I, black, 1996
Run of 1000 hand-numbered models. Mine is #0377/1000, mint in box. Differs from 'Midnight Sun' in that all models are marked WCHE and numbered, otherwise may be hard to distinguish. Someone mentioned that the ribbons are reversed, although still in red and white like the original.

#? 'Gaited Breeds' set TWH, shaded brown, 1996
From the J.C. Penney's holiday catalog. I have one of these, mint in bag. Some people refer to the color as grulla or seal brown. Shading varies but most models seem to be a dark brown on the neck and back, fading to a light brown/beige on the belly and chest. (Set also included a bay pinto American Saddlebred and a palomino Saddlebred Weanling.)

#701097 WCHE TWH II, chestnut, 1997
Run of 6000, with 1500 hand-numbered, mine is #0502/1500, mint in box. This model is called chestnut, but the mane and tail are white, so many people may refer to it as a 'palomino', especially to avoid confusion with the 1984 chestnut model.

#716 Blackberry Frost, Tennessee Walking Horse, dapple gray, 1998
Commemorative Edition! Mine is mint in box, #09,566/10,000. I would be interested in one MIB with a better-than-average paint job and belly number under 1,000.

#? WCHE TWH III, dark bay, 1998
Run of 1500 hand-numbered, mine is #1025/1500, mint in box. This model has gold ribbons and is much darker than the regular run red bay. He is richly shaded and really beautiful.

#701899 WCHE TWH IV, black roan, 1999
Surprisingly dark. I was hoping for a blue roan sabino like 'The Pusher', but he's still very nice. Unbelievably he is also #1025/1500 just like my III horse. He has a blaze and two hind stockings.

#? 'Pintos' set TWH, black tobiano pinto, 1999
From the J.C. Penney's holiday catalog. Came in a set of three models, with a QH Gelding and Merrylegs mold, both also painted in a pinto pattern.

#? Breyer Golden Annversary Celebration TWH, glossy palomino, 2000
From the J.C. Penney's holiday catalog. From website: Created exclusively for JCPenney in honor of Breyer's 50th anniversary. Rich, glossy palomino comes with championship neck sash with ''Breyer Golden Anniversary'' print.

#701700 WCHE TWH V, white, 2000
Special Run from World Champion Horse Equipment. 0568 of 1500 made, hand numbered.

#701701 WCHE TWH VI, bay, 2001
Special Run of 1500 from World Champion Horse Equipment. 281/1500 hand numbered on belly. Has a narrow blaze/snip and one off hind sock.

#701502 WCHE TWH VII, strawberry roan, 2002
Special Run from World Champion Horse Equipment. 166 of 1500, hand numbered. Has a blaze and near hind sock.

Well, I think that's it! If I've missed any, please drop me a note!!

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