Model Horse Competitions: Beyond Collecting
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You mean, people "show" toy horses?
What is a live show?
Live shows are judged by fellow hobbyists and artists, and horses are judged on their finish and realism in finish classes, suitability for the discipline you are showing them under in performance classes, adherence to breed standards in breed classes, etc.
Scaled-down, realistic model horse tack-such as saddles and bridles-take a lot of time and skill to create, and often some ingenuity to get positioned and adjusted correctly on the horse. Sticky wax is a live shower's duct tape.
First and foremost, this is an opportunity for hobbyists to get together, admire each others' collections and favorites, buy/sell/trade horses and tack, and have fun with like-minded individuals. The general public is often welcome, but strongly discouraged from touching any model without asking first ... some are fragile, and many are valued in the thousands of dollars!
STOP!
Never, ever pick up someone else's model horse without asking!
My limited live showing experience
My custom etchies were first shown and placed at Millbrook Live, Grand Rapids, MI on 22-May-1999 (TB took 2nd in HUGE halter class, Drafter took a 5th)
My customs were again shown and placed at Blue Water Classic, Kalamazoo, MI on 25-Sep-1999 (Huck took 3rd in an extremely competitive custom Arabian halter class)
My simple etched Breyer Stablemates were also shown at the MMHL Mini Live Show, Charlotte, MI on 15-Jan-2000 (doing quite nicely in tough company)
What is a photo show?
Most collectors get their start in the "show ring" by entering a photo show. The judging is much the same as above, but you set your horse up at home with a realistic background and props, take a photo, and send it to the judge. There are entry fees and different classes to enter, and usually ribbons or other premiums for the winners.Flaws on a horse that is not LSQ (live show quality) can often be hidden in a photo, so be wary of the term PSQ (photo show quality) when purchasing a custom or original finish horse or prop.
How do I find a show?
Learn more about: model horses | collecting | customizing
Add a link about model horse showing
More information can be found at the links below. Rate them by moving them up or down the list, and add your own showing-related pages.
NAMHSA Member Shows
Welcome to the official website for NAMHSA (TM), t more...0 points
Rio Rondo -- Model Hobby Info
Short informational pages outlining some of the ba more...0 points
Model Horse Showing & Performance Links
Model Horse Central0 points
Questions? Comments?
If there is something I didn't cover about model horse showing, let me know! This lens is a work in progress.
Or, just post a comment so I know you were here. :)
Freedom_Equestrian
I collect and show model horses too!! visit my website at http://www.freedomequestrian.webs.com yours are beautiful!
Posted February 24, 2009
darlkay52 wrote...
Very informative! Having collected Breyer horses and shown real horses for several years, and I never know that you could show model horses! At my age, it seems safer than showing the real ones!
Posted July 20, 2008
AllHorses wrote...
Gregory ~ are you affiliated with Paradise toy horses? I'm asking because the Web site commits a most egregious error in labeling several brown horses as "bays" ~ this will turn off any 6 to 10 year old girl with a voracious appetite for horses!
Posted July 10, 2008
Gregoryj83
Wow, these model horses are really amazing! There's so much to know and learn about this toy horse world... I have been very interested in Paradise toy horses lately. They're fully poseable and great for the kids too! My kids love them. Thanks for your model horse lens.
Posted July 03, 2008
The_Homeopath wrote...
My kids had great fun at the Breyer Fest last month at our tack and feed store!!
Posted July 02, 2008
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