Model Horse Shows*

Model horse shows are fun and exciting for the adult and youth collector as well. They allow the participant to show off their models and reveal the level of knowledge they have about real horse shows.

Basically, the model show follows similar lines to a real show. There are classes for halter horses, performance classes and many are divided into classes for youth or adults.

Halter classes are divided into Original Finish Plastic, Original Finish china/Other Material, Custom and Artist’s Resin.

Original Finish Division is just that. They are unchanged from the way the model came from the manufacturer. It’s condition should be as close to mint as possible. They should not have any paint rubs or defects.

The China/Other material is for original factory finishes other than plastic. Horses in this class can come from companies like Hagen-Renaker, Pour Horse, Beswick/Royal Doulton and many others. Also sold in this group are factory resins from companies such as Northlight, Black Horse Ranch etc. This class is for anything not made of plastic that has it’s original factory finish.

Custom is for models that have been deliberately changed by repainting, re-sculpting or repositioning the model. These are usually seen on models from Breyer or Peter Stone but are not limited to these manufacturers. These models may have been only had touch ups or minor color changes or may have totally redesigned and have had their position changed so that they could pass an original sculpture.

Another division is Artist’s Resin. These are original pieces that are cast in quantities of less than 200 and are sold painted or unfinished for custom paint later. A one of a kind from scratch sculpture would also show in this division.

Some shows require that these horses be shown without halters, some allow them. If used, a halter should match the breed of horse and be correctly scaled and fitted.

Breed Classes
These classes are judged much like a real class at a breed show. For instance, an Appaloosa would need the correct body type for that breed, as defined by the Appaloosa Horse Association. It would need to be correctly/realistically colored and have correct halter or tack for the breed. Similarly, the Arabian would need to conform closely to the breed standard as defined by AHA. Some models are known to show better in these divisions and care should be taken to insure that the models used are good representations of the breed. Notable examples of this are the Huckleberry Bey, Breyer Proud Arabian Mare and Peter Stone Arabian are much better sculpted than the Breyer Khemosabi, Lady Roxanna and Sham and will usually place above them in breed classes. Color is also very important in a breed class. Any colors or coat patterns must conform to breed standard and any that don’t will drastically effect placing in this class.

Some classes are judged on the collect-ability of a particular model. Condition and rarity are paramount here. A Vintage Breyer Decorator model is a real prize and does well unless it has been horribly abused.

Workmanship classes judge the repainted or re-molded models as a class to themselves and are strictly judged. Any changes are to be made in a neat and realistic manner and may include repainting, adding mane and tail hair, reshaping the molded on mane and tail and changing the horse’s position.

Performance classes are popular and often require the most research and preparation. Horses in this division are judged on their correct positioning and tack for the particular task. Although it is not a requirement, tack in the upper levels should be all hand made and not the ‘store-bought’ tack that often comes with the model. The tack, horse and any scenery should all be in scale and should be 100% accurate to the breed and discipline depicted. If a rider is used, it too must conform to all the above requirements. The rider’s clothes and position must be accurate for the model and situation depicted.

*Information in this article was paraphrased from a very informative handout at Breyerfest. The article was by Elizabeth V Bouras, for a BreyerWest 2002 Seminar. It is indicative of the wealth of information available at the festival.