How do you solve a problem like Brunello?

Don't lie, you sang today's post title in your head. (The hills are alive with the sound of...confusion?)

Anyway, today's post is about a subject I've been thinking about for a while...Brunello, on the Idocus mold. Here's a photo:

This model was released in 2016, and was notable because he came with a brand new hairdo. Here's an original-issue Idocus:

I've never been a fan of the original Idocus, but before Brunello's release I never thought about it much. Not a fan; end of story. But then Brunello came out, with his braided mane and tail, and I realized: it was his hair. I've never been a fan of the banged tails on dressage horses, and the original Idocus's mane isn't doing him any favors. It's just kind of there. But Brunello practically makes him look like a whole different model. I really like his head and neck with the braids! And his tail isn't banged! Win-win!

But that opens up a whole new can of worms. I like Brunello, but do I like him enough to buy him? (So far, no.) Should I buy him? I don't generally like to only have one model of a particular mold. But I don't like any of the other Idocus releases because of the blah mane and banged tail. However, Wapiti's tail is different from the usual. Here's a photo:

He still has the iffy mane...but my urge to buy is rising! Ugh! I wonder if they'll use the braided mane and tail on other releases in the future. I know last year's auction model on this mold had the braids. Maybe if they keep using those I'll think about starting a conga...maybe. Or maybe I'll see a Brunello at Breyerfest this year and won't be able to resist...we'll see.

Live Auction Lot 7 and Glossy Prizes!

Lots of pretty ponies on the blog today! First, the Live Auction Lot 6:

 

He's described as a Dark Bay Reverse Brindle, and he's on the Brunello version of the Idocus mold. I have to say, I've never been a fan of Idocus, but when Brunello was first released, I almost wanted to buy one just based on his hairdo. I don't like the regular Idocus mane or tail, but the Brunello braided version is really something else...almost enough to make me want to buy one. Almost. So this guy is definitely handsome, though I'm not sure about those brindle markings. Brindle is a pretty hard color to pull off, so at first I thought they were masked, but the enlarged photo makes it clear they're painted on. Dare I say it almost looks like a flock of birds flew overhead just as his photo was being taken? I think this is one of those effects that will look cool...from a distance.

But, to each their own. He really is quite nicely done. This auction model from 2012 on SCO was the best brindle I've seen them do lately, and I believe it was the basis for the later Diesel that was issued in brindle. Unfortunately, I think they needed a finer airbrush for Diesel, though I think that was also the first time they attempted brindle in any kind of release wider than one model. Not bad for a first attempt!

Next, the live show glossies! Here's Glossy Valegro:

 

I want one of these so badly! Anyone out there want to sell me one for the low, low price of $450? I'm sure they'll be selling for much more than that on the secondary market. If only I were into model horse showing...perhaps someday.

The other live show glossy is Banks Vanilla! Behold:

 

I briefly thought about buying a Banks Vanilla when they were first released, despite my dislike of the mold. There's just something about a pretty white horse. Fortunately, I resisted the urge (the only reason I considered it in the first place was because I already had a Sugarloaf in the collection and figured having one more on the mold wouldn't hurt). This year, though, I decided to bring along all of my silver filigree models that are on molds I don't collect and attempt to sell them at Breyerfest. Shelf space is always in short supply around here, so I gotta do what I can. Well, that and I need to do something to make up for my wild spending habits....so, more additions to the sales list it is.

That's all I have for today! Hopefully we'll get another auction model tomorrow!