October Collector Club Newsletter!

 Good news, readers! The Collector Club newsletter for October has been published! Check your email for more. There’s an article about customizing and hair growth patterns, a Zulu giveaway and this sneak peek:

My guess is it’s the holiday decorator web special, but the color doesn’t look particularly holiday-ish, so who knows what it is. Guess we’ll find out soon!

Also, in case I don’t make any more posts tomorrow, I’ll be at Coalfield Classic Model Horse Show in WV on Saturday for some live showing fun! Feel free to stop by my table and say hi to me, Geralt and Roach!

2025 Celebration Horse revealed!

 Wow! I was sure they'd make us wait until Friday for this reveal - but I'm not complaining. Say hello to the 2025 Breyerfest Celebration Horse, Tight Lines! 

And here's his model! 

Wow, Cigar! Definitely not on my bingo card for next year - I thought it might be an older mold. Nothing I need, but it's a pretty color! And as a friend said, at least it's not bay (again). Cigar has only been done in gray a few times before, so it's good to see some variety in his color. I like the blanket, too. Each Tight Lines (or "Phish") model comes with one, but fear not! Breyer confirmed on Facebook that the blankets will be packaged separately from the model, so no staining. Huzzah! 

It’s also super cool that Will Coleman is coming to Breyerfest! I saw him at the Kentucky Three-Day Event in April, so it’ll be cool to see him again at Breyerfest. 

The blog post says more ticket information is coming in December - I hope we get to see some more models then! I'm excited to see what else we're getting for next year's Breyerfest! 

Some 2025 reveals!

Greetings, readers! More 2025 reveals are slowly (unofficially) being made - an astute Blabber spotted these on the Rural King website:

I don't know how I feel about the color combination - I think I would have preferred something more like this. It's great to see Mason get another release, though! 

Yay, a new release on the new Freedom Series Arabian mold! It's another decorator, though - I'm hoping she also gets released in a realistic color or two. I like the model despite its terrible promo photo, though it's hard to tell if that's clearware or not. I'm going to assume it's clearware until we hear otherwise. It could be a while before we see the rest of the 2025 releases (remember, we didn't see this year's releases until January 5, which is ridiculous). These particular models don't seem to be on the Rural King website anymore, so they probably weren't supposed to be revealed this early. 

But speaking of new reveals, Breyer posted on Facebook this morning that the 2025 Celebration Horse will be revealed this week! Probably on Friday, if past reveals are anything to go by. So I'll be looking forward to that! 

Featured JAH - 10/26/2024, Jan/Feb 2004

Hello and welcome to another edition of Featured JAH! We're starting another new year this week with Jan/Feb 2004 - hey, this issue turned 20 years old this year! Funny how the time flies. Well, let's get started! 
 

On the front cover, an Andalusian gallops through a field, his crest flapping in the breeze. Also, the Moody Andalusian makes its debut! 

In the Editor's Desk, Natasha previews the magazine (again) and poses with her Samoyed. Remember that big yellow wall at your local tack/feed/supply store? I can remember when my hometown had three stores that stocked Breyer models. Nowadays I think one of them might get some in at Christmastime, but other than that, zilch. 

On page 3 is a small news roundup and the 2004 Editorial Board of Advisers, featuring some familiar names. 

On page 4 we have the beautiful Del Fuego, the next Connoisseur model! I never owned a Del Fuego, but that is a pretty paint job on him. 

On page 5 is an article about the (sadly now-extinct) Abaco Barb. 

On page 6 we find an article about the majestic Andalusian breed. 

The Andalusian article continues on page 7, and we also have a small article from Kathleen Moody on the creation of the Moody Andalusian mold. I miss getting new models from Kathleen. Can we have another one?

On page 8 we have an article all about NAMHSA. 

The NAMHSA article concludes on page 9. 

After skipping an article about customizing, on page 12 is a notice that the Double Exposure set is STILL available! The bigger one looks pretty good all dressed up in the photo, too. Like I said, I'm pretty sure this set took years to sell out, and for all we know Breyer still has a few of them kicking around the warehouse. 

After skipping Breyer jr., on page 17 we have an article on whether collectors should unbox their Breyers. My opinion: free the ponies! 

After skipping a tackmaking article and a how-to article, on page 22 we have the conclusion of the Andalusian article and a know-your-breed about Rottweilers, complete with new Rottweiler companion mold. 

After skipping Collector Corner, on page 24 we come to this week's Vintage Point, featuring the Old Timer! He seems to be a perennial collector favorite, but I've never had one in my collection. 

The Vintage Point article wraps up on page 25. I wonder if we'll get a new Old Timer next year for Breyer's 75th anniversary? Seems fitting. 

After skipping most of Horse Trader again, on page 27 we find a small article about the West Coast Model Horse Collector's Jamboree, which was basically a Breyerwest before Breyerwest. 

On page 28 we have some blurbs about overseas Breyer-related gatherings. 

After skipping the calendar events, we've finally reached the back cover and the end of this week's issue! Feast your eyes on Viggo Mortensen and the Hidalgo model. That's it for this week - check back next week for Mar/Apr 2004! 

Mangoky selections and other stuff

 Well, the selections for Mangoky went out - so if you entered for him, check your email to see if you were drawn! My poor luck in the last few years is still ongoing, as I wasn’t drawn for him. But I did manage to snag one from a Blabber, so he’ll be on his way to my house soon!

Also, the mysterious Vintage Club Stablemate set from yesterday was indeed supposed to be this year’s optional purchase - it reappeared for purchase today, with the year corrected on the photo. I was a bit surprised by the price - $175 for 5 Stablemates with simple paint jobs? Seems a bit steep, but people are paying $50 each for them on the secondary market, so what do I know? Good thing I don’t want any of them. 

Lastly, I’ve been informed that the silver filigree Rivet from a few days ago was a custom and the whole thing was a prank by an artist. I feel like a fool for falling for it, but the pranksters usually don’t try to pass off a custom as an OF (we can usually tell the difference). I feel like we don’t get that many pranksters in general? Well, anyways. Guess we’ll be waiting a while longer to find out what the holiday Stablemates will be. 

Tiny treasures revealed!

 Attention, Vintage Club readers! This year’s optional release has been revealed! It had previously been teased as “tiny treasures.” Behold!

They’re mini versions of some of Breyer’s most iconic vintage models and paint jobs! They’re cute, but thankfully I don’t need any of them. And they’re not blind bags - you can just buy the whole set. Huzzah! I’m happy on behalf of any VC members that are tired of the gambler’s choice stuff. 

It looks like these have an error in the photo, as it says 2025 rather than 2024, so the  “official” posts about them seem to have been clawed back, but you know what they say - once it’s on the Internet, it’s forever. So here’s hoping these bad boys (and girl) get reposted soon!

Also, it doesn’t look like the Mangoky drawing has happened yet. This has happened before - they’ll probably just notify people tomorrow. Stay tuned!

Whoops!

 A friend sent me this image yesterday (from Facebook) - hmm, a new mystery! 

I don't think this guy is supposed to be in that blind bag. The current consensus online is that this is an upcoming holiday blind bag Stablemates release that was accidentally put in the wrong packaging. The silver filigree Rivet is cute, but nothing I need. I'm lowkey hoping the rest of them will also be molds I don't collect, so I don't need to bother with buying any of them. Hopefully we find out soon! 

Well, that was unexpected

 Wow, I guess it's time for this year's Wild Animal series release! Say hello to Mangoky! 

Ring-tailed lemurs are pretty fun to watch at the zoo, but I wasn't expecting one to become a Breyer model. This guy is pretty cool, though - he almost, almost could pass for a splash pinto if it weren't for his stripey tail. I'm not crazy about the tail, but I'd be happy to be able to add this guy to my collection regardless. Speaking of which, there are 750 of this guy, so maybe I'll get drawn for him (still stinging over not being drawn for Petra). The deadline to enter is 10/23, so don't waste any time entering if you want him! Hah, remember when they'd do a teaser photo first, make us wait a week for the reveal, then the entry period was another week long, then it would take up to a week after that for models to arrive at people's houses? I don't miss that at all. Good luck to everyone entering! 

Also, it was announced today that Breyerwest is moving - and changing its name! Breyerwest will now be known as BreyerMidwest. Doesn’t…quite roll off the tongue the same way, does it?

I don’t know anyone in Salina, KS, so I guess I’ll have to go back to hoping they don’t gloss anything I want for the BreyerMidwest special run. Maybe they’ll think of a better name later? 

Featured JAH - 10/19/2024, Nov/Dec 2003

 Hello and welcome to another edition of Featured JAH! We're finishing up 2003 with this week's issue, so let's get started! 

On the front cover is the winning entry in the holiday cover photo contest, featuring a handsome gray Shire A.  

In the Editor's Desk, Natasha previews the whole magazine and mentions Breyerfest 2004's theme (Fiesta Equina). There's also a blurb about volunteering. 

On page 3 is an update about the Double Exposure set not selling out, as I mentioned last issue. We also have some Letters to the Editor. 

On page 4 we have the first part of an article about Breyer portrait horse Blackhome Grandeur Lyn and a reveal of his portrait model on the Belgian. 

The Blackhome Grandeur Lyn article concludes on page 5. After a ton of scrolling through Facebook posts, it appears that Lyn died in 2004 at the age of 22. 

On page 6 is an article about Black Jack, the riderless horse from JFK's funeral procession, along with the resin Black Jack. 

On page 7 is an article about the return of Cloud the wild stallion, plus his new family set. 

After skipping a how-to article and the reveal of the PBR bull series, on page 12 is the reveal of the first porcelain Connoisseur - Tenacious! You'll recognize the mold as the sculpt that eventually became the Classic/Freedom Series Stock Horse, aka Liam. 

After skipping Breyer jr. and the 2003 retired list, on page 18 is the winner of the 2003 World's Best School Horse Contest! I had the Commander Riker model but (story of my life) sold it off for shelf space some time ago. I wasn't able to find any additional information about Commander Riker, but with a calculated birth year of 1988, it's probably safe to assume he's passed on by now. 

The Commander Riker article wraps up on page 19, and there's a sneak peek of some Easter releases for 2004. I always thought Frolic was cute! Too bad I sold mine. 

After skipping a book review, a judge's clinic and most of Horse Trader, on page 25 we have the Holiday Photo Cover Contest winners! 

On page 26 we come to this week's Vintage Point, featuring the Saddlebred Weanling.

The rest of the Vintage Point article wraps up on page 27. 

After skipping Collector's Corner (titled "a hobby perspective" this week) and the Calendar of Events as usual, on the back cover we have the reveal of Buffalo Bill's Isham, a beautiful gray PAS! This may be the first Breyer special run for Tractor Supply, as well. 

That brings us to the end of this week's issue, and the end of 2003 - check back next week for Jan/Feb 2004! 

Y’ALL READY FOR THIS??

 Well, clearly I used the above title too early when I ordered my Tigerlily and Firestorm. Today we have reveals for next year’s Premier and Stablemates Clubs! Apparently these were pages in one of the holiday catalogs that’s being sent out. Are you guys excited yet? I’ll start with the Premier Club:

That’s right, we’re getting a mule! It’s about time we had a new one, though I’m going to reserve judgement on this one until we see some better photos. 

Zomg! It’s a shrunken PAM with a turned head! Or at least that’s what I thought at first, until a particularly astute Blabber pointed out how similar she is to the original Hagen-Renaker Zara that the PAM is based on, using this photo from an eBay listing…

They’re pretty much identical! But how did Breyer get the rights to use Zara? Will they be coming out with more officially-licensed Hagen-Renaker stuff in the future? I believe the company (or what’s left of it) is owned by sometime Breyer sculptor Kristina Lucas Francis, so I’m thinking we may see more in the future. Exciting!

There was also a blurb about the 2025 Vintage Club, but Breyer seems to have an aversion to previews of that club, so no photos. The only pertinent information is that membership numbers are being increased to 1200, which seems like a mistake - most of the releases sell well below cost on the secondary market, and increasing the numbers won’t help that situation.

Collector Club Appreciation returns!

 Good news, readers! If you joined the Collector Club after this year’s first Collector Club Appreciation event, you’re in luck! The CCA is back!

I already got the glossies I wanted earlier this year, but if there’s still one you want, don’t miss out! It’s happening tomorrow at 1pm EST! We’ve certainly come a long way from the glossies selling out within minutes of the event opening, huh? They say inventory is limited, but they always say that, so who knows how limited it really is. Guess we’ll find out tomorrow!

Let the 2025 reveals begin!

 Exciting news, readers! The Collector and Deluxe Collector Clubs are now open for 2025 membership! Check out the first Collector Club special run for next year, Maddox! 

Wow! That guy is a MUST HAVE! I'm getting the grabby hands just looking at him! I still haven't gotten my hands on a Petra, either. I gotta have Maddox for my collection! 

More (or less) excitingly, the Stablemate for the 2025 Deluxe Collector Club has also been revealed! They shrunk the Semi-Rearing Mustang! 

Deluxe Collector Club members will receive the bay blanket Appaloosa one (Darius) on the right, and will also receive one randomly-shipped color of the four original decorator colors (plus the Deluxe Collector Club pin). I'm not a Semi-Rearing Mustang fan, but I gotta admit it's pretty cool getting TWO Stablemates for your membership. Not so cool that they’re bringing back the gambler’s choice garbage - it’s fun when it’s once in a while, but when it’s everywhere all the time, the novelty wears off really fast. The deluxe club is also $20 more than usual because of the extra Stablemate, so if they’d chosen a mold I do collect for the gambler’s choice, I’d be pissed about having to buy four memberships. But maybe that’s just my blind bag/gamber’s choice dislike showing. 

Interestingly, there's also going to be a Collector Club Store on the website, featuring Collector Club-only merchandise and models. I’m guessing this will just be used for whatever current Collector Club special run is available, and maybe a few T-shirts or something. Slightly more exciting would be if they used it to sell older collector club stuff kicking around the warehouse, but that remains to be seen. But wow, I am super excited for Maddox! And, of course, if the Collector Clubs are open for enrollment, the Vintage, Premier and Stablemate Clubs can't be far behind! Bring on the new reveals! 

Breyer Halloween Sweepstakes, and other stuff

 All right, this one is kind of old news, but I had some technical difficulties writing it and then forgot about it, so here it is anyway. Anyway, Breyer is doing a sweepstakes for Halloween! From the email: 

It’s almost time for trick or treating, so we've decided to get in on the action! Except we have no tricks… only treats for three lucky winners!

We are offering the chance to win one of three exciting Halloween-themed prize packs that include Maelstrom, Apparition, Ratsputin, and a full set of Spooky Surprise Blind Bags!*

I'm not going to enter since most of that is stuff I don't want, but Maelstrom looks cool with water drops all over him. 

 

In other news, more new stuff is showing up on the Breyer website, including 75th anniversary merch! Behold the enamel pin! 

Naturally, they're using the Western Horse silhouette for the pin. I wonder if they'll do another anniversary release on him? Guess we'll find out in a few months. I've seen some criticism of the 75th anniversary logo and the weird cut-off 5, but other astute people have pointed out that the cuts on the letters make the logo look more like a diamond, so I'm cool with it. There are also horse blankets, jackets, mugs, other new pins, etc. Definitely a few things I'll throw in my cart if they do another CCA event with glossies I need. 

Lastly, we may have a reveal of the next (last?) Orren Mixer model. Behold! 

It's Geronimo in a handsome buckskin color! Apparently dealers were told the last release would be a buckskin, so it's likely that this is the next Orren Mixer. It could just be a test modeling a saddle/bridle though - Breyer has been known to do that before. This is from this year's holiday catalog, or so I've heard, so keep an eye out for that in your mailbox!

Lastly, the 2024 Breyer Retired List is out! Read it here and breathe a sigh of relief that Marc of Charm was never used as a glossy prize model at Breyerfest. I’m excited to see what new products we’re getting next year! 

Calista is in the house!

 Good news, everyone! My kids and I were at the KHP on Saturday when a friend messaged me that the new brick-and-mortar special run, Calista, was in stock! So I got one! Behold: 

These photos were taken in my photo tent, because I photographed all my new arrivals yesterday so I could get them onto the shelves. Normally they hang out in our kitchen window for a while before they go onto the shelves.

She's certainly a pretty girl! I had two to choose from, but the other one had either a scrape or a large piece of dust/lint on her face, so I took a chance with this one, which also had possible scrapes/dust on her hindquarters. And it was just dust! Huzzah! Quality-wise she's pretty nice, so I'll have to think up a breed assignment for my next show!