Do you have a collection of model horses? Did you know you can go to Live Shows with them, compete, make friends, and have a blast?!
Breyer model horses have been around many, many years. Stone horses are another line of plastic model horse, started in the 1990’s. In addition to these plastic models, artists can sculpt and cast resin blanks that can be painted to be stunningly realistic. There is something for every taste and every budget.
You can photo show your models by taking well staged photographs and entering a show online or through the mail (learn more about that here), or you go attend a live show!
I love live shows for several reasons. I have made friends from all over my show region by attending and hosting shows. I usually only get to see these friends at shows, so we sit together at the show and often go out to dinner together after.
Shows give me a focus with my collection and help me choose which models to buy or create. Instead of feeling pressure to buy everything pretty, I only buy things that fit into my show string, that I think will show well, and that are easy to pack for shows.
Shows let me compete! I love competing, I love seeing how my research has paid off, how my art has improved, etc. Live shows are a great way to compete in a much less stressful way than a real horse show. And you are very unlikely to end up in the dirt!
You can see everyone else’s stuff. It is beneficial to see other artist’s custom work close up. I like to try to figure out what makes their piece come to life so I can try to get closer to that. In the Original Finish ring, I love seeing models I’ve never seen in person before. Rare, old, beautifully detailed; I want to see them all!
Learn about Live Showing Here! I wrote an extensive guide for beginners on the Show site for one of the shows I host.
You an show Original Finish (straight out of the box), Custom (repainted), Performance (displayed in a detailed scene with tiny tack), Collectibility (judged on how collectible the horse is), and Artist Resin (for resin models sculpted by artists an sold blank to be painted).
So I have you convinced it is a ton of fun, but what exactly are they getting judged on?
OF (Original Finish)- Your model is getting judged as if it is a real horse. Do research and assign your horse a breed. If it’s rare or an usual color, create documentation for it. Then the judge is going to look at the overall realism of the models on the table, how well their breed assignments fit them, and their condition (rubs, breaks, blemishes), and pin the winners.
CM (Custom)- You model will be judged on realism and breed assignment. But, this time you either purchased the horse from an artist or created it yourself! Custom is for repainted models! That includes moving body parts around, giving the model a new mane, etc. It’s a theraputic and rewarding hobby! Watch for a tutorial to get our started in a future post!
AR (Artist Resin)- This class is for models that were sculpted by an artist and cast into resin, then painted by an artist. You model is judged on the realism.
Collectibility- Your Original Finish model is judged as a model. Usually, they are judged on rarity, condition, and desirability. If your model is hard to find, in great condition and really old, it’s going to do well. Or, if your model is very rare, like a BreyerFest Volunteer reward model, it can do well. Some hosts give a lot of divisions so showers can get more horses qualified.
Workmanship- This class is for judged the artist ability on a Custom or Artist Resin model. How well was the horse prepped? How well was the sculpting and color executed?
Performance- This class is a whole hobby itself! Create or purchase tiny tack for your models! Stage a detailed scene and make sure every inch is correct. These classes are judged on how correct they are. Go for realism and details. Learn about making model horse tack in a future tutorial! Stay tuned!
