WGC Marc of ARRGH!

 Well, I didn’t get a chance to post about the hint over the weekend, but Breyer teased the BreyerMidwest special run model and revealed it today, and it’s THIS…

That’s right…glossy WGC Marc of Charm. Just when I thought I was safe! I may have uttered a few swear words when I saw the teaser. Darn it, if the event had stayed in Denver I could have had my SIL pick one up for me! So now I’m trying to figure out if I can make my way out to Salina, because I just know they’ll be selling these guys for $1,000 after the fact. If I’m going to spend that much money on a horse I’d rather go there myself and have a nice experience there to boot. Something to think about, I guess. 

I guess it makes sense that they used him, since the last few glossy Breyerwest models didn’t exactly set the world on fire. Who would have figured that glossing unpopular Breyerfest models wouldn’t make them more popular? It was only a matter of time until they changed up the strategy. 

The Fabulous Thunderbirds

 Good news, everyone! Or, well, bad news if you're a Silver collector and don't have multiple Vintage Club memberships. Behold, the gambler's choice release for 2023!

Oh boy. Four new Silvers? In four vintage paint jobs? Well, now I'm kinda regretting not joining the VC this year. Hmm...well...nah, still not worth it. But ouch! Four new Silvers, when I just got finished putting all my models on shelves and figured I wouldn't be getting any new Silvers anytime soon? I guess I do have room for more, but it's going to be hard to get all of these - I presume there are 250 of each color since the VC is up to 1,000 memberships this year. Sheesh! Sure hope I can find one or four for a decent price down the line, but I'm not enthusiastic about my chances.

Also, apparently this year's VC free Stablemate will ship with these as well! Here he is, if you're like me and forgot who he was:

At least we're finally getting Darwin in a Lipizzaner color! Just one more thing for me to find later - though it'll probably be easier than getting any Thunderbirds. Anyway, I hope lucky VC members will get the colors they like! I think I like the palomino the best, followed by the bay, the Appaloosa and the pinto. 

Rhian and Cadell are here! And...Beau?

Great news, everyone! My Rhian and Cadell set are finally here! Behold:



They're so cute! Here's the other side:



I'm still kind of ambivalent about the foal, but he can stay for now. Is it me, or does he seem pretty small for a Trad foal? I realize he's a pony foal, but he seems tiny!

As for the mare, I love her! Here she is with a hopeful suitor:

Her only real flaw is visible in the above photo: she has a scrape on her left front leg. I'm not thrilled about it, but the foal is pretty much flaw-free and from what I hear I'd have to send him back with the mare, so I guess I'll have to overlook the scratch. But, let's be real here: I don't show, so condition and paint issues aren't as big a deal to me anyway.

She looks good with Bouncer though, like I thought she would. Here's a closeup of her face:



Her eyes are nicely painted, although they have the dreaded pink eyewhites going on.

In other news....despite my reservations about this mold, this happened on Tuesday:

That's right...I bought a Beau. Opening his box was nerve-wracking! I was repeating to myself, "Please be braided. Please be braided. Please be braided..." And it worked! I was hoping I'd get a dark variation, too, but I guess beggars can't be choosers.

I wasn't going to buy this release, but Breyer reeled me in with the braided mane and tail. He's just so handsome! I figured if I got the one I wanted, it meant I was meant to collect him...at least, this version of him. I suppose this means I'll have to get my hands on a Brunello now...and possibly Wapiti if I can get past his mane.



Poor Beau has the pink eyewhites going on, too. I hope they phase those out sooner rather than later.

Quality-wise, he's decent - he has some lint stuck in his gloss, but that's par for the course.



His dapples are sadly unsubtle too, but that's nothing new. Now I just have to find space for him on my shelves, and hope they used the braided Idocus again in the near future.

So, if anyone knows where I can find a braided Brunello on the cheap...

The Big Cat Series Returns with Java!

Wow, I thought the Big Cat series was over with, but evidently not! Meet Java.



Gah! It's a Nokota. I have to have him! Is it bad that I'm angry at Breyer for only making it a run of 255? Bleh. I shouldn't be surprised, since none of the Big Cats web specials have had quantities of more than 280 yet, but still...grrr.

Oh well. This guy will be in high demand, I can tell. Hopefully at least one of my accounts gets drawn - my 14 other Nokotas need their big cat buddy! I think his color is really interesting, too - love the bronze in it. At least it's only a four-day entry period instead of a whole week. Looking forward to the 18th!

Also, since the Big Cat series now has a fifth entry, dare I hope that the America the Beautiful series continues next year? Crossing my fingers!

MORE BREAKING NEWS!

MORE MID-YEAR RELEASES ARE OUT AND THERE'S A UNICORN OTHELLO AND GOLD VALEGRO AHHH!

My wallet is crying now...I already preordered all three of them...presumably other stuff is going to be revealed, but what? I'm almost afraid to find out now...