Just when I thought it was safe to avoid the pop-up tent...

...Breyer comes out with one last special run! Say hello to Winner's Circle, the autograph horse!




However, due to some misplaced fingers when I started typing his name, I may have to give him the informal name of Wubbalubbadubdub...

Ahem. Anyway...this guy is the official autograph horse of the 2010 WEG 2018 Breyerfest! That's right; Breyer has done autograph horses before. Look familiar? That's the 2010 World Equestrian Games autograph horse, on the Cleveland Bay. I'm not sure why these guys have matching paint jobs, other than to make the autographs more visible. Maybe we'll get more autograph horses in this color in the future?

Interestingly, although I don't own an example of the WEG autograph horse myself, it was reported at the time that they were molded from ABS, which is what most modern Stablemates are molded from. The prevailing thought was that this was so they could keep the model's price down. Since Winner's Circle is being sold for the low, low price of $25 (the same price as the WEG autograph horse), I'd say the chances are good that he'll be molded from ABS too. Which could lead to issues with yellowing in the future, similar to what we have now. Just remember: if he does start turning yellow down the road, don't put him in the window! Exposure to sunlight makes ABS turn yellow faster.

I had been quite happy that we wouldn't need anything from the Breyer Store or the Garland Gift Shops this year, so I'm mildly disappointed that this guy popped up. I'm hoping his quantity will be fairly plentiful so I don't have to stress myself out too much getting one, because it's looking like we're going to be really busy this year. Hopefully we can squeeze a trip through the gift shop into the schedule!

Breyerfest 2018 Stablemate: Hands Down!

Whew, I've been failing at blogging the last couple of days. Just too busy to post! Better late than never, I guess. Yesterday Breyer posted a new teaser on the blog, and it turned out to be for the Garland Gift Shop Stablemate! Behold: Hands Down!


I have to say I'm ambivalent about this one. The mold debuted as a Christmas ornament. The tack and jockey are molded on, right? I've never been a fan of molded-on accessories. It's kind of odd that they decided to convert this ornament over to plastic for Breyerfest - maybe they're going to remove the molded-on stuff when they use it in the future? Even then, the horse is kind of generic - I'd rather have seen the Seabiscuit ornament (though it wouldn't stand without help), or the Secretariat one (also would need help standing)...all right, I guess I see why they used the one they did. Incidentally, did we know the G3 Standing Thoroughbred was used for this ornament in 2015? Weird.

Actually, Breyer, if you're planning on turning more ornaments into Stablemates, I'd be interested in most of the Beautiful Breeds series. Just throwing that out there.

Anyway, I'm going to pass on this one - it's not at all what I was expecting to see, although I suppose I should be glad it's at least following the theme. So, now I at least know I won't need to buy anything from either of the Garland Gift Shops, since I don't collect crystals. That's handy - maybe this year I can finally watch the opening ceremony on Friday, such as it is.

Unless, of course, Breyer throws some unexpected stuff into the mix, which is always possible. Hopefully they don't! I like the convenience of not needing any of the store specials or pop-up-shop stuff. Plus, I save money!

Also, yes, Koh-i-Noor briefly came back in stock on the website today. I missed it, again, and it's always nice to read about how other people bought multiples (again) when I just want one of them. Sigh. Hopefully I can find one at Breyerfest.

Must resist...MUST RESIST!

The latest pop-up-tent model, Born to Run, has been revealed, and...oh no. No, NOOOOOOO!

I want to buy her. NO! I have to stay strong. I can't collect everything Breyer puts out! I'll go broke!

But...I want to buy her...

No. I can do this! They got me with Marigold last year, but they're not going to do it again this year! I can resist!

I really do wonder if Lauren Hoeffer designed this one. I love the colors, and the gold swirls! But I have to resist! I don't even like this mold! Argh!



It's the legs! I don't like the legs! Come on, I can do this!

Okay, this one DOES look like Bella. (Also, Scottsdale Stampede update!)

There's a new, tiny hint on the blog! Check it out!



So I'm pretty sure that's a picture of a horse's flank/hindquarter area, and if I'm not mistaken, it looks a lot like Bella's.

Are we looking at another jockey-silks-inspired decorator? Or just a racehorse-themed one? Those colors certainly look interesting, although I already know it won't be enough to make me want to buy it. Poor Bella just looks too lumpy and awkward (and like a redo of the G2 Thoroughbred) for me.

The swirls on this one make me wonder if it's another one designed by Lauren Hoeffer? She's certainly turning out to have a nice talent for designing models.

In other news, the entry period for the Scottsdale Stampede opened today. It looks like collectors can only enter once, which immediately makes me think our chances of being drawn just cratered. But at least we don't have to remember to enter every day. The entry period ends 6/3, so there's plenty of time to put in your name. Good luck to everyone! 

Pop-up store sneak peek!

There's another sneak peek on the blog!



Unfortunately, I'm kind of over the whole "let's use a tiny picture that doesn't show any identifying features so it's impossible to guess" thing. This one looks like a blanket. How are we supposed to guess anything more than that? We haven't seen last year's new Classic (Bella) pop up anywhere yet, so I'm going with that in lieu of more useful clues.

At least they used the right form of peek this time? Sigh.