New Arrivals: Picante, Just Like Fire and Gascon the Great

 Greetings, readers! I've got three more new arrivals to show you - let's start with Picante! 

I'd expected to get a Picante somewhat earlier than July, but better late than never, I suppose. She's pretty! And the quality is good too, other than a couple of shiny marks. 

Next: Just Like Fire! 

The ketchup-and-mustard comparisons aren't quite as apt in person, but I think that's still going to be his unofficial nickname. I do like the darker color on his lower legs, and the yellow does have more of a golden hue in person. 

Lastly, here's Gascon! 

What a nice-looking model! Cancion looks really great in this light gray color. I did notice a white spot on the horse's right shoulder that didn't make it onto the model - interesting, considering the lengths Breyer usually goes to to make sure the models are accurate to the real horses' markings. 

That's it for today! Check back soon for more New Arrivals. 

The Phoenix rises again!

 Exciting news today, readers! The Classic-scale Limited Edition for Breyerfest was revealed today - behold! 

Ooh, I like him! And I like how the mane forms the phoenix's wing. I like the blue contrast on his lower legs and feet, too. 

Unfortunately, his design is drawing a lot of comparisons to ketchup and mustard and trips to Flavortown (edit: and Flamin' Hot Cheetos!). I saw the blog post first and didn't really have a lot of McDonald's thoughts, but it is funny to see some of these comparisons (someone else said they were going to name theirs Hot Dog). Maybe the yellow should have been more golden to avoid those comparisons? Either way, I still want to buy one. And while I'm not thrilled with the song name choice for this one, I don't hate it either (it's one of those songs that's easy to tune out. Sorry, Pink). 

In other news, the Valentine's Day plush has been revealed! 

What a cutie! I wonder if it'll sell out? 

In other, other news, most of the 2024 new releases are now available to order on the website. I'm tempted to order an Atlanta and Legend, but don't really want to spend the money right now. They'll be available all year, so I'm not in a huge hurry to buy. 

That's it for now - but it looks like there's going to be something new on the Breyerfest blog tomorrow! Probably another impossible-to-guess hint, but I guess we'll see. 

Halloween horses are here!

 More good news, readers! My first order of Halloween models came! Behold, my Slither! 

What a beauty. And he definitely has a green tint from the right angle, despite looking browner/purplish in the photos. 

I really like this design! Clearly quagga-inspired, but also the snakes! He has one snake on his back and a cobra on his forehead.

Ooh, scary. 

He almost looks black in this photo. I love him! Didn't see too many flaws, either.

Next, let's take a look at my two blind bags:

Yep, just the two I didn't want. Sigh. 

They're pretty good in the quality department, though! Very detailed stencil on the mini Nevermore. I have two more blind bags coming tomorrow, so hopefully I can do a trade if I still don't get what I want. I hadn't realized the mini Cornelius was glossy, either. Doesn't make me want to keep him any more, but it is a cool effect. His teeth are a little too blindingly-white to be realistic, though! Hahaha, that was a joke. 

Well, here's hoping I get a mini Apparition tomorrow! 

Let this Halloween release sssssslither into your hearts!

 More good news, everyone! Today the U-Haul truck was unloaded (with some casualties, including a Christmas tree with almost an entire bottle of bleach spilled on it), and unpacking has begun! I'm a bit scared to unpack my horses, what with the casualties we've already had - but at the same time I'm excited to get to it, because I want to add my Breyerfest purchases to the herd! Anyway, I've also found the time to get my computer set up, so I should be able to get back to posting with my usual frequency. Also, I'm now in the Eastern time zone! Woohoo! 

Anyway, Breyer's Halloween store was announced today, including this beauty! 

From the website:

Uncoiling and slipping his way out of the darkness on All Hallows’ Eve is Slither, our 2023 Freedom Series Halloween Horse. Artist Christine Jordan dreamed up a truly unique coat for this reptilian decorator. Slither features markings inspired by the quagga, a now-extinct species of zebra that had stripes only on the front half of their bodies, paired with scales and hidden snakes slithering through his mane and markings. His metallic glossy coat features green-bronze color shift paint that mirrors the sheen of a snake’s scales.

 

Ooh, I really want this one! He looks really cool.  I love how glossy he is. And I really like his white tail! His white areas glow in the dark (naturally) so I'm excited to see what he looks like in the dark! 

Also, we get this:

Cute! I love his little fangs. Too bad he doesn't have a couple of little blood drops around his mouth, too. 

And lastly, the Halloween Stablemates for this year:

So this year we get Mini Nevermore, Mini Poltergeist and Mini Cornelius! Cute! D'oh, another addition to the Django conga! Of course, they're blind bags as per usual, so I'm going to have to think about whether I'll buy more than one. I'd probably just get one, but I have to have that Django and I'm not interested in paying $100 for it later, so...guess we'll have to see how I feel when the sale goes live. Speaking of which, the Halloween store goes live on Wednesday at 1:30 EST, so be ready, everyone! I'm sure the Classic and the Stablemates will both sell out pretty quickly, so be ready with ordering! Looks like last year's Tabitha and Skelly must not have sold out, because those are back this year as well. There's also a cute Spectre pin and Spectre-themed hoodies, so I'll definitely have to pick up that pin. I hope everyone is able to get what they're looking for! 

Solar Flare is here, and 2021 Retired List!

 Good news, everyone! Solar Flare is here! 

What a beauty! He certainly lives up to his name. 

Let's hope they find more fun ways to use this mold in the future! He's too floofy and flouncy not to. Breyerfest special run next year, maybe? 

Quality-wise, he was pretty nice - I didn't find anything wrong with him. Maybe things are looking up in the quality department? (What I wouldn't give to work in their quality department...)

In other news, the 2021 retired list has been released: 

Traditional Series Models

1435 Lil' Ricky Rocker

1773 Voyeur - Champion Show Jumper

1821 Stingray

1822 The "Gangsters" - Driving Ponies Set

1826 Avatar's Jazzman

1827 Favory Airiella Gift Set

1833 Thriller

1839 The Ideal Series - American Paint Horse

1845 Old Glory

1850 Steele

 

Freedom Series Models & Accessories

699 Country Stable with Wash Stall

62054 Cupcake

62121 Hope, 2021 Horse of the Year

62206 Zoe & Zander, Unicorn Foals

62212 High Tide

62214 Solaris

 

Stablemates Models

6048 Unicorn Gift Collection

6051 Mystery Horse Surprise Series 3 - 70th Anniversary Collection

6052 Unicorn Foal Surprise Asst. [A, B, C]

6900 Stablemates Horse Singles Asst.

  

CollectA

Dogs & Cats

88078 Yorkshire Terrier

88086 Doberman Pinscher

88506 St. Bernard

88752 Schnauzer

88177 Beagle

Horses & Equids

88115 Grey Donkey

88451 Chestnut Tennessee Walking Horse Foal

88585 Sorrel Quarter Horse Stallion

88644 Chestnut Standardbred Pacer Stallion

88670 Chestnut Thoroughbred Foal

88793 Chocolate Rocky Mountain Horse Mare

88846 American Cream Draft Stallion

88850 Zebra Foal

Prehistoric Life

88320 Tylosaurus

88555 Rajasaurus

88559 Triceratops (1:15 scale)

88660 Xenoceratops

88818 Ceratosaurus (Deluxe 1:40 scale)

Safari

88206 African Elephant Calf

88033 Western Gorilla

88166 Giant Panda

88219 Giant Panda Cub

88413 Tiger Cub

88417 Lion Cub

88492 Chimpanzee Male

88833 Hippopotamus

Sea Life

88095 Emperor Penguin

88568 Belgua Whale

88661 Tiger Shark

88834 Blue Whale

88895 Puffin

North American Wildlife

88012 Brown Hare

88378 Mallard Duck

88560 Brown Bear

Farm Life

88301 Llama

88380 Texas Longhorn Bull

Not a lot of big surprises here, nor is there really a lot being retired (other than Collecta stuff). Since things have been so delayed getting here over the last few months, I wonder if they figure they don't need to retire things since the warehouse is basically empty anyways? Odd that Old Glory, Steele and Thriller are on the list, since. you know...we knew they were limited...But anyway. Better get your hands on that stuff quick before they disappear!  

More new reveals!

Good news, everyone! We now have photos of Dusk and Dawn, this year's optional Vintage Club set! Check them out! 

If you're a member of this year's Vintage Club, check your email for more information. VC members will (or should) be able to combine shipping with Nugget, the decorator Brighty release, so that's good! Marabella and Amber look pretty good in gloss, though I have to admit they look a little lost without Ashley there as well. I wouldn't mind getting my hands on that foal, but I may have to undertake a significant herd reduction in the coming year and unfortunately my Ambers (and Ashleys) would be on the liquidation list for said reduction, so I'll hold off on trying to get one for now. That charcoal color is really nice, though! I prefer the darker-black charcoal models to the more chocolate-brown ones. 

In other exciting news, we have another new release on poor Malik! It seems like he's been a little neglected since his debut 2 years ago, but with the new Black Stallion and book set and now this, things are starting to look up! 
 

Oh boy, I really like this one. He definitely resembles his name, while I'm over here thinking if his legs were a little darker, he'd definitely have a "Fire and Blood" theme going on. But anyway...I did order one, even though those toothpick front legs still bother me a little. The Marchador mold, also sculpted by Sarah Mink, had the same issue and I ended up getting rid of him, so hopefully it doesn't become too much of an issue with these models, or they'll end up on the liquidation list too. 

A couple of odd new Breyer models popped up on eBay today - they can be seen here and here. What are they? The black one is like a simplified Marabella, but I don't recognize the other one. Maybe Breyer is starting a lower-quality toy line with more durable models, like Schleich or CollectA? I guess we'll probably get more information eventually. 

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! 

Featured Model - 3/7/2021, Glossy Malik

 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. I, uh, may have forgotten to write this yesterday...but better late than never! This week's model is...Glossy Malik! 

I'm not sure how many of these models were produced, but they were intended as door prize giveaways at live shows that were part of the 2020 Live Show Benefit program, which ended prematurely last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. He was item #712532 and was produced on the Classic/Freedom Series Malik mold sculpted by Sarah Minkiewicz-Breunig. 

He's definitely handsome in that liver chestnut color, but the gloss takes him to the next level. I'm hoping I can get my hands on one of these eventually - I think 10 of them were just given away to people who bought tickets to Breyer Boot Camp, so at least some of them have made it into collectors' hands. 

Despite his crazy hair, I do like this mold. When is he going to get the Lisa Frank treatment like Mason did this year? Maybe next year. I guess he's still in the regular line as High Tide, but maybe he'll get a more realistic color as a mid-year release. Or maybe he'll be this year's Classic-scale Collector Club model? They seem to be alternating between old and new molds for those, which would make 2021 a year for an old mold, but rules are made to be broken, right? Anything could happen, but that '80s-rock-star hair is just begging for an insane decorator color, so I'm hoping we get something like that eventually! 

Featured Model - 3/21/20, High Tide

Hello and welcome to another edition of Featured Model, the weekly blog event where I pick a model from my collection, give some stats on it and provide commentary about it. This week's model is...High Tide!



This unique model is one of the new releases for 2020! I got him a few weeks ago and wanted to feature him on the blog! He's item #62212 on the Malik mold sculpted by Sarah Mink.

I've definitely seen a lot of variation in the finish for these models - some of them have less silver, others have more, while some have fewer spots, or more, or differences in the size of the spots. The technique used to paint these means there will always be a lot of variations, so it's fun to see all the differences between them. At first I was a little iffy about whether I liked this guy, but once I got him in hand I liked him a lot more.

I like Malik because he's so different from a typical Classics model with the over-the-top hair. I thought that kind of stuff was reserved for Moody sculpts, but clearly I was wrong! I wonder how they'll use him next? I don't anticipate him being a Breyerfest model this year, but maybe he'll be a gambler's choice on the website, or a Halloween model. I'm sure he'll have plenty of regular run releases in the near future too, if we can wait that long! I don't think we've heard what this year's glossy Classics model (for the live show giveaways) is yet, so maybe it's a glossy Malik? That would be pretty cool.

Featured Model - 7/27/2019, Malik

Hello and welcome to another edition of Featured Model, the weekly blog event where I pick a model from my collection, give some stats on it and provide commentary about it. This week's model is...Malik!



As you're probably already aware, Malik is this year's Classics Horse of the Year model. He's a brand-new sculpt by Sarah Minkiewicz-Breuning  and is item #62119.

At first I wasn't terribly enthralled by this mold - his hair is a little over-the-top. And he has a rooster tail, just like Sarah's previous sculpt for Breyer - the Croi mold. However, over time he grew on me - he is an Arabian, after all, and I like Arabians. All the same, I feel like he should have been named Def Leppard or something - he'd fit right into an '80s music video.

While the mold is nice, the execution (at least, the paint job) is a little lacking. They couldn't make sure to paint his entire mane the same color? The bit that flows onto his withers is the same as his body color. And he looks like they forgot to paint his right front hoof. I mean, this is a $20 RR model I'm talking about, but still.

Anyway, I'm excited to see how they use this guy next year. Breyerfest, maybe? Or some kind of Collector Club special run like Callahan or Calvin. But let's maybe nix the randomly-shipped thing, okay? I'm getting tired of that. And for that matter, when are we getting a new Mason? Are we due for new Classics next year? I hope so.