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. 

New Arrivals: Light Chestnut Worth It, I Will Survive and Glossy Black Tobiano Stagecoach

 Greetings, readers! It's time for another New Arrivals post! I'll be showing three more models today, so let's get started with the light chestnut Worth It, one of this year's volunteer models! 

This was my lovely reward for volunteering across all three days of Breyerfest 2024. Volunteering was a great time as always, and it was interesting to see how much had changed since 2018, the last time I volunteered. I've probably said all this before. I initially got the liver chestnut in the model handout, but was able to trade for the light one since I already have the dark one. She's so pretty, and has that textured paint job like the other two colors. Definitely glad I was able to volunteer and get her! Hopefully I can volunteer next year as well. 

Next, here's I Will Survive:

We don't often get new releases on the Zebra mold, so it's always great to see a new one, and it's especially fun to get a quagga. Hopefully this means we'll get a new Zebra release soon? We could use a new regular run zebra, since Breyer's painting techniques have changed a bit in the last 20 years. 

Lastly, here's the glossy black tobiano Stagecoach Surprise! 

I didn't do much shopping at the Clarion until Sunday night, and this ended up being my only purchase other than the stuff I got directly from Breyer. It was a selling year, I guess. This was also the only Stagecoach Surprise I still needed for my Hamilton conga, so it was great to find one on Sunday night and complete that collection. What can I say? Most models look pretty great in black pinto, and Hamilton is no exception. 

That's almost it for this year's New Arrivals - check back tomorrow for the grand finale! 

Stagecoach Surprise run numbers!

 Good news, everyone! The Stagecoach Surprise run numbers have been announced, at last! 

Here are the numbers for each one: 

First up, the handsome pearly black and white tobiano pinto with a striking yellow and blue ribbon in his mane. 1,250 of this version were done in matte, and 375 pieces were glossed, for a total run of 1,625 pieces.

Next up, the dashing shaded light dapple chestnut with lime green mane ribbon.  1,125 of this model were in a matte finish, and 375 were glossy, for a total run of 1,500 pieces.

Our third variation was the beautiful, shaded buckskin tobiano pinto with teal ribbon in his mane. Just 1,025 of this colorway were done in matte, with 375 pieces glossed, making for a total run of 1,400 pieces.

Fourth in line is the eye-catching chestnut sabino roan frame pinto with purple and gold ribbon, making this 1,325-piece run look especially regal. 950 pieces were done in a matte finish and 375 pieces were glossed.

Next, the gorgeous shaded dapple grey with contrasting red mane ribbon. This run was a total of 1,225, with 850 pieces done in a matte finish and 375 in a glossy finish.

And finally, the smallest run of the bunch, the beautiful glossy blue and bronze decorator, with a coordinating blue mane ribbon. This piece was only released in gloss and just 625 pieces were produced.

So at least there weren't any crazy mane switches or some of the models only matte, only glossy, etc (except for the decorator). I'm feeling even more lucky now, since I managed to pull all of the mattes except the buckskin from the line myself - and it makes sense that I drew two matte black tobianos, since they were the most plentiful. As for getting three glossy buckskins, that must have been pure luck too, since all of the glossies were the same run number except the decorator (which I also feel super-lucky to have gotten). Sheesh, I hope my luck is this good next year, since we're presumably getting even more micro runs for Breyerfest's 35th anniversary. I'm still wondering why poor Nemea didn't get any variations, though - that whole design was stenciled on, not decals - so it shouldn't have been too hard to switch some of the paint out or something. Oh well. 

 

Breyerfest Day 1: I choose...violence

 Well, readers, day 1 of Breyerfest is over - and boy was it crazy! Where to begin? Pretty much every special run has a variation, except the in-store Limited Editions and apparently Nemea, for some reason. The surprise is Hamilton, surprising many! Cue the fistfights (though I haven't seen any battles yet so far). Let's see, here's the glossy set of Stagecoach Surprise models in the silent auction:

My wallet is crying already, and I'm not even done buying all of mine yet. I wanted to spread things out over the course of the day to try to maximize my chances of not getting duplicates, but I only had time to pick up three in the end. So far I've gotten the glossy chestnut, matte black tobiano and matte roan (?) pinto. I'm excited to buy my other six tomorrow, though my bank account isn't. Other variations include: glossy Wells, some kind of colorshift on Peanutine and Speos, braided mane/tail on Jump & Drive, the Action Stock Horse Foal (rather than Standing) in the Surrey and Axle set and some kind of cremello (I think) Scurry. But nothing on Nemea, I guess? It seems weird that they would leave one of them out. Maybe something will show up tomorrow?

Here's a new set that was revealed today: a rider doll based on Cheryl White, the first female black jockey, and a portrait model of one of her horses, on the Classic Thoroughbred mold. Huzzah! And it comes with a book based on Cheryl White's life. I am not sure when it'll be available, though.

Here's the Best Customs Contest prizes for this year. When I went through the silent auction it didn't have any bids yet, but that was right away this morning, so I'm sure it has bids by now. I wonder how high it'll go?

Also in the silent auction is this test for the Stagecoach Surprise. What a stunner! I'm almost afraid to see how high he goes!

I'm trying to think of what else was revealed today. Lots of fun things in the Collector Club tent, though I haven't been in there yet. Maybe tomorrow I'll have time, in between paying for models and crying as I run out of money.

It was a good day, though - other than the few Stagecoach Surprise models I managed to get, we also went on a tour of Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa and I went to the live show at the Alltech Arena for the first time since 2019. I also picked up all my VIP stuff (no variations there) and my Bravour 54 models. I have them priced super-low to try to move them out ($10 each) and managed to sell one earlier, so that's good. 8 more to go!

I haven't had anyone stop in and mention the blog yet, so make sure to stop by (Room 409) and get your free Stablemate! And check back tomorrow for more exciting Breyerfest news!

Tahoe is here!

Greetings, readers! Exciting news - I managed to find a Tahoe for a reasonable price, and he arrived today. Behold! 

Just as majestic in person as he was in the photos! 

A worthy addition to the collection.

Too bad the rest of my silver filigrees are packed in the storage unit, or I could get a picture of him with them. 

Quality-wise he's fine, but he's got some weird dapples that I don't remember seeing on other silver filigree models - it looks like the paint got a little thick on his left rear leg when they were cleaning him off, and some of his other dapples have weird halos or silver spots inside them. Very odd. 

In other, Breyerfest-related news, another silhouette was revealed today:

Theoretically another will be revealed tomorrow, and I hope they all get revealed on Saturday because I really don't want to have to wait through the whole weekend to see them! 

Tahoe selections are out!

 Well, the selection emails for Tahoe went out today - if you entered, check your email to see if you're a winner! Alternately, log into your account and see if he's visible on the Club Home page. If he's there, you were drawn! Unfortunately, it looks like my luck wasn't with me this time, so I'll have to see if I have any luck with the waitlist. Winners have until the 21st to pay, so be sure to pay right away if you did get drawn. Congrats to all the winners! 

Silver Filigree web special is revealed - Tahoe!

 Good news, everyone! This year's silver filigree web special has finally been revealed - say hello to Tahoe! 

Be still, my heart. I gotta have him! Fortunately, this is another run of 1,000, so my chances of being drawn shouldn't be too terrible. I wonder if his description of having red and green braids (when the photo looks like the braid, singular, is red and gold) will turn out to be the accurate one? I wouldn't mind if it did end up being red and gold, since I'm not really sure why silver filigree HAS to be associated with the holidays anyhow. 

Anyways, the last day to enter is Sunday, so get your entries in! Good luck to everyone entering! 

The last few auction models have been revealed!

 Happy Friday, everyone! In just one week, it'll be Breyerfest time in Kentucky for the first time in three years! I'm so excited to leave on Tuesday night - just four more days, and only two more work days! Breyer unveiled the online auction platform today, along with the last few auction lots we hadn't seen yet! I thought we'd have to wait until next Friday to see them, but looks like Breyer decided to be merciful for once. Anyway, here they are! You can view them by clicking on the link to BidSpirit's website in the Breyerfest Blog post and then viewing the auction catalog. 

First off, it's a glossy color-shift-paint version of Dani! Very nice. 

Next, a glossy smutty buckskin Hamilton! Oh, he'll go high. Personally, I'd prefer if this one had a little white, but to each their own. 

Next, a beautiful Astrid in red roan pintaloosa, and with a new mane option we haven't seen yet! I wonder if we'll see this mane in the special run line as well? I hope so! 

Next, an amazing pegasus on Silver that's very reminiscent of this auction Esprit from 2014. Is he a test of a test? It's turtles tests all the way down! Ahhhhh! 

And lastly, an In-Between Mare (!) and PAF who clearly takes after her sire! I kid, I kid...but these two would make a great family for that Ukraine benefit piece that was auctioned off a few months ago. 

These reveals also remove True North, Hamilton and Silver from contention as the surprise model. I think I had been saying the Cleveland Bay, since my original guess of Brishen is out, but I think I'm going to go with Goffert. Othello would be the other obvious choice, but he's already been done in just about every color and was a treasure hunt model, so I don't think it'll be him. There's a suspicious lack of draft models in this year's lineup, and Goffert is close enough to make me think it's probably him. 

This year's raffle models are also in the auction, as per usual, so there are photos of them as well. Check out the Zafirah/Dirndl model: 

I just...I want to like her, but I can't get over her front end. It's like her entire shoulder area should be twice as wide (long?), and her front legs are super-skinny. It's too bad, because I like her head and neck, and the hind end isn't so bad (though I'd rather she be standing squarely). It's just the front legs and shoulder area that bother me so much. Oh well. Her color is nice, at least.

I don't think this color is doing Troubadour any favors, honestly. But if I won him, I wouldn't turn him down, I guess. I may be toying with the idea of selling off my Troubadours, though, so we'll see what happens with that.

I'm also wondering why there are only 21 lots, when there were 28 lots in the before times. I thought reducing the number of lots in the live auction was a Covid thing - I guess Covid isn't strictly over just yet, but it still seems odd to have so (comparatively) few auction lots. Spread the money around, as it were. 

Anyway, that's all I have for today. Not sure how much more posting I'll be doing until we arrive in Kentucky, but never fear - if all goes well, I'll be reporting from each day of Breyerfest as it happens, like I usually do! Safe travels, everyone! 

Maybe I should buy a lottery ticket...

 Exciting news today, readers! My Collector Appreciation orders came today! Huzzah! My first order consisted of two shirts, the Fireheart throw blanket and an ill-fated Beautiful Breeds Belgian ornament (more on that later). I love me some throw blankets, so the Fireheart one was an acceptable purchase, and I can always use more shirts. But...on with the reveal! Here's the glossy from my first order:

Whoo, glossy chase piece! Though, truth be told, I was hoping to get a glossy Andalusian, because the Smarty Jones models in my collection are probably going to get sold off next year due to lack of shelf space...but getting this glossy chase piece is threatening to make me change my mind. Glossy black pinto...how can I refuse? 

My second order was pretty simple...enough 70th Anniversary blind bags to add up to $150. I was hoping to get a chrome Brishen, and while that didn't happen (out of 31 of those danged things, only two of them were even Brishens to start with), the glossy I got with this order totally made up for that! 

That's right - the glossy palomino Hamilton, my first choice! Joy! 

Oddly, on inspection after removing him from the box, it doesn't look like they glossed his mane or tail for some reason. Just...seems a bit of a strange choice. Are they all like that? I mean, he has the pearly effect on there already, but I never say no to more gloss, so...it just seems odd. 

Also, it appears that these glossy models were made specially for the Collector Club Appreciation event, because they have VINs from this year and the boxes show the 8224 product number rather than having a UPC sticker slapped over the original one like in past years. Interesting...and might explain why the glossies didn't sell out, if they made a ton of them for this. Which means there will probably be leftover CCA glossies in the NPOD at Breyerfest this year. Just one more thing to look for, I guess! 

In other news, my VIP apology pin came today as well:

I haven't yet managed to find a decorator Seven Arts for my herd yet, so it's nice to (kind of) have a smaller one in my possession. Now if my dratted pin board would ever show up...

And in other other news, my Zugspitze came yesterday! Behold the awesomeness! 

What a chonk! 

New silver sparkleponies never disappoint. 

Quality-wise, all of these models are pretty nice - I didn't see anything wrong with any of them. Maybe Breyer's putting a little more effort into their QC? Who knows. Unfortunately, I made the mistake of assuming my Belgian ornament's ribbon ends were tied together when picking it up (you'd expect them to be tied, right?), so he promptly slid off the untied end and fell on the floor, breaking off both his ears and cracking two legs (turns out they're wire-reinforced). So that was a waste of $18. Still steamed about that one. 

Anyway, I'm still waiting on my Chalice (and the last PC release of the year and the mini Fireheart), so I definitely have more things to look forward to, hopefully this month! Let's hope they come out soon! 

Featured Model - 11/6/2021, Order of the Thistle

 Hello and welcome to another edition of Featured Model, the weekly blog event where I pick a model I don't own but would like to, give some stats on it and provide commentary about it. This week's model is...Order of the Thistle! 

This handsome boy was a raffle model from Breyerfest 2020. He was item #711385 and was a run of 26 produced on the Hamilton mold sculpted by Jennifer Scott. 

Whew! What a pretty model. He definitely looks good in champagne! I was super sad when I wasn't one of the names drawn for one of these guys last year - and more sad when I saw the prices they were selling for on the secondary market. Maybe they'll come down someday - I hope so, because it hurts not having this guy in my collection. But his other releases are pretty spectacular too, so I'm glad I have those. 

Hamilton is in the regular line now as Marc of Charm, which has been a pretty popular release as far as I know, so he'll probably stay in production for quite a while. I wonder what the likelihood is that he gets a few other releases while the mold is in production? He hasn't had a Breyerfest special run yet (other than this raffle), and Premier molds tend to get those fairly early on, so I'd say he's due. Never mind that he doesn't fit the theme - they'd probably just name him something German and call it a day. Hey, I wouldn't complain...too much. More Hamilton is always a good thing! 

I wouldn't put it past them to give him a web special, also, but I guess that remains to be seen. Or maybe he'll be the 2022 Holiday Horse! Ooh, there's an idea! 

Fireheart, Breyerfest programs and the last auction models!

 Lots of announcements today - first off, today is the first day we can finally order our Fireheart models! 

As you may have guessed from some of my earlier posts...it looks like my Fireheart is going to stay with me after all. Based on the photos of the production piece, plus the newly released photo of his auction model....well,  yeah. The above photo didn't do him any favors for me, but the photos I've seen since then make it pretty clear he needs to stay here. 

And as a bonus, apparently they are actually in stock now and able to ship! That's definitely good news. 

Secondly, the print version of the Breyerfest program can now be ordered! 

They're $5 each (seems a bit steep..) and ship for free as long as you order them by themselves with no other merchandise. You can only order one per transaction for some reason, so if you want more than one...you'll have to do a new order for each one, I guess. But at least we're getting a print one this year! 

Lastly, the last six auction models have been unveiled! Behold: 

Oh boy, this might be our sale-topper right here. As an aside, did I make any '80s hair band jokes when Fireheart was first released? I feel like I did, but if not...he definitely looks like something an '80s hair band could appreciate, am I right? Haha! That's a really nice color, too! 

Wow, an Old Timer auction model! Too bad he looks...like an updated version of the Jake raffle model from 2002. At least the hat is a different color? 

With the way these auction models are looking, the raffle models may end up being this year's "chump change" items, since they're runs of 26. But I digress.

Interesting color on this one - looks like something you'd see on a bull. 

At first I thought this one was an extremely red chestnut, and didn't really like it. Then I realized it was supposed to be a decorator and warmed up to it a little...but only a little. Needs more paint for something that'll probably sell for $5,000 or more. 

And here it is...the long-awaited Hamilton auction model! This guy might be the sale-topper, too. That's a beautiful color...and glossy! I can't wait to see how much these models all sell for so I can hide somewhere and cry die of jealousy plot world domination for plastic ponies  rob a bank  hide somewhere and cry. 

That's all I've got for today! Can't believe we only have a little more than a week until Breyerfest! 

I guess I spoke too soon...

 Well, looks like I should have kept my mouth shut one more day, because the 2021 Mid-Year releases are here! Let's start with the one we've all been waiting for: 

WGH CH Marc of Charm!! That's right, the model rumored to be one of the Breyerfest store specials in 2019 (or was it 2020?) is finally here! He's definitely going on my want list, though I hope the mane and tail are less yellow in person. 

Next, we have Tiz the Law! 

Seems like kind of a random choice for a Thoroughbred portrait, but that Lonesome Glory is beautiful! Must add him to the collection!

This lovely black Arabian is KB Omega Fahim, a Shagya Arabian stallion who specializes in dressage. I love the blue sheen to the color! Another one I'll have to add to the collection! 

Ooh, a black Malik! I love it. Though I really think the Shagya Arabian, or another (not-yet-existing) mold would be the best fit for the Black, as he's frequently described as being too big to be pure Arabian and Malik looks Arabian to the core. But I digress...

The horses-as-food series appears to be continuing, with Red Velvet! Ooh, I love red velvet cake...but I don't collect this mold. Looks like an interesting color, though! 

And lastly...Thriller, this year's Halloween model! Apparently dealers are being limited to 12 of these, so be sure to reserve yours fast. I just preordered mine, so hopefully it goes through and I'm the proud owner of a Thriller! 

LAFAYETTE!

Without further ado: 

 EVERYONE GIVE IT UP FOR AMERICA'S FAVORITE FIGHTING FRENCHMAN! 

 

I'M TAKIN' THIS HORSE BY THE REINS MAKIN REDCOATS REDDER WITH  BLOODSTAINS! 

 

AND I'M NEVER GONNA STOP UNTIL I MAKE 'EM DROP AND BURN 'EM UP AND SCATTER THEIR REMAINS, I'M -

 

WATCH ME ENGAGIN' EM, ESCAPIN' EM, ENRAGING 'EM, I'M -

 

Okay, I think you get the idea. Lafayette is here and I love him! I wish he were one of the slightly darker variations, but all in all I'm glad to have gotten him now rather than in September (if you're wondering what all those quotes were from, I direct you to this). 

Quality-wise he's great - I didn't spot anything wrong with him. Beautiful! Thank you, Breyer! 

Lafayette is finally available!

 The moment we've all been waiting for is here, folks - Lafayette is finally in stock! 

As of right now (1:15pm CST) he's still available, but don't fret if the stock sells out - he'll be available for backorder for anyone that misses out on the initial stock, to be shipped in September. I kinda have to wonder how many they made, since he's been available for a good hour now and hasn't sold out yet. Maybe the backorder won't even be necessary? In any case, if you don't want to wait until September to get yours, get your order in now! 

I hope they increase the piece count for this one...

 Good news, everyone! The 2021 Collector Club is open for membership...and check out the first special run for 2021! Oh, boy...

Hamilton in glossy black? Sign me up! I really hope they do preorders for this one, or at least increase the piece count, because he's going to sell out FAST! I wonder what his name is? Here's another photo that shows his dapples:

And here's the Stablemate for the Deluxe club that I talked about yesterday! 

He is definitely a mini version of last year's Alborozo auction model! 

Looks like I'll be joining the Deluxe club next year! Just when I was hoping they'd give Mini Alborozo a break. Well, maybe this means they'll be doing even more Stablemate versions of Trad paintjobs, eh? I hope so!