Special run numbers and Shindigs!

 The day is finally upon us, readers! Breyer finally gave us what we've been waiting for - this year's Breyerfest special run numbers! Well, minus the Seize the Day Surprises, which will be revealed tomorrow. But no one cares about those. Behold! 

To the Ties That Bind Us: 50/50 blue and gold, with 75 silver 
YOLO: 50/50 gray and sabino, with 75 holographic
Future is Bright: 75% loose mane (1,650), 25% roached mane (550)
Get This Party Started: 50/50 black and buckskin, with 75 blue/black
Let the Good Times Roll: 50% glossy with loose mane/tail (1,250), 50% matte with braided mane/tail (1,250)
Hoopla: 75% matte (2,250), 25% glossy (750)
Shindig: 2,925 gray sabino, 75 blue/orange decorator

No variations on the other special runs, but we already knew that. 

The Future is Bright variation is interesting - I speculated that they'd do a 75/25 split on Ties that Bind, but it makes sense that it was done on this one instead. Makes the roached mane a little more desirable, though most people still seem to prefer the loose mane. I'm also somewhat happy that I decided to sell off my Bristols, so I don't have to track down a glossy Hoopla after inevitably only getting matte ones. Still wishing I'd been able to get a holo YOLO, but maybe some of the VIP and All-Access ones weren't picked up that will be in the leftover sale. Same with Ties that Bind. 

Speaking of Shindigs, mine arrived today! Behold! 

No, not enough luck to get the decorator here. I was really hoping I'd get one, as it would have helped take the edge off the event (in some ways it was great, as Breyerfest always is, and in others it was probably my worst Breyerfest ever). Oh well. 

I don't remember ordering a third one, so...okay, I guess? Too bad it wasn't a decorator. 

Quality-wise they're all about the same, though one has a slightly bent ear tip. 

It's a pretty nice color, though - I'll have to think of a breed for him. 

These guys look like they're having a nice chat around the office watercooler. "Did you guys hear about Steve?" "Oh man, what did he do now?" If I was less tired, I'd keep going with it. Something for another day, I suppose. 

Well, that's it for today! We're supposed to see the Seize the Day Surprise numbers breakdown tomorrow, so let's hope they don't make us wait too long! 

April Fool's giveaway and more blind bags!

 Greetings, readers! Well, yesterday's April Fool's joke has been revealed as a joke (not surprising), but in an unexpected twist, Breyer is giving away three test models based on yesterday's joke model! 

They did clarify on Facebook that the joke model is in fact real (vindication!), so I hope it shows up in the Breyerfest silent auction, because I want to see that thing in person. Anyway, the entry period ends tomorrow night, so get your entries in if you want one! I don't collect Nikolas, but entered anyway for trade fodder. Good luck to everyone entering! 

In other news, we were a bit confused this morning when the Pal test models were revealed, because there was a mystery Stablemate in the background. 

People wondered what it was, and speculated all kinds of things, but we didn't have to wait too long - it turned out to be part of another set of April Fool's blind bags! 

I'm a bit confused that they produced these, considering the ones from last year seem to have gone over like a lead balloon (they're still available on the website). And of course they used the hugely popular mini Georg, so he's the only one anyone is going to want afterwards. At least they used the G1 Arabian Mare this time instead of the G2 Clydesdale or Magnolia? I'm also glad the Georg didn't end up being part of a 75th Anniversary blind bag set. I only ordered one of these - crossing my fingers for the Georg. 

Shindig!

 Good news, readers! The Breyerfest online Stablemate, Shindig, was revealed on the blog today! Behold: 

It's another mini Georg! They're definitely getting their money's worth from that mold. What a pretty boy! Looks like I'll be ordering both of the online exclusives this year. The blog says they're doing a "cute" reveal tomorrow - I bet it's the plush! At least I hope it's the plush, and not something unexpected that I'll inevitably have to buy. Guess we'll find out tomorrow!

Buckeye's Bluegrass Bonanza show report and Crinkle Cookie goodness!

 Greetings, readers! Well, my last show of the year went pretty well - I was running late that morning and only got there about five minutes before the show was supposed to start, but other than that minor snag, things were pretty great. Here's how I did! 

Once again, I managed to get one of every color ribbon, for breed and collectibility. I had a lot of fourth-place finishes this time for some reason. As usual, my Via Lattea stayed consistent and placed third (!) in breed and fifth in collectibility. Maybe someday she'll win a class! All in all it was a great day, other than some weird judge decisions, but odd stuff happens at every show, right? 

In other news, I got my Freshly Baked Stablemates today! Behold, the jackpot! 

That's right - two Crinkle Cookies! I'm not even mad that I didn't get a Peppermint Bark, because it shouldn't be difficult to trade a Crinkle Cookie for her. Woohoo! I suspected they were Crinkle Cookies as soon as I took them out of the box, due to how heavy they were. And was elated to see I was right! Huzzah! 

Here's a closeup of one of them. He doesn't have rubs on his nose - that's just a trick of the light (but he does seem to have a rub on his ear). Both of them are pretty nice other than the aforementioned ear rub. I'll be at the Silas Model Horse Swap this Saturday, so hopefully I can trade for a Peppermint Bark there. 

Freshly Baked!

 Good news, everyone! The Freshly Baked Stablemates are out of the oven and ready to fly into your mouths mailboxes! Behold: 

The four colors are: Linzer Cookie (G4 Arabian), Crinkle Cookie (mini Georg), Peppermint Bark (G2 Saddlebred) and Gingerbread (G3 Mustang). I ordered two of them, because I want the Georg and the Saddlebred. Hey, I may be slightly irritated that they used molds I collect, but at the same time, at least they didn't use tired molds like the G2 Clydesdale, Alborozo, Magnolia, etc. 

Seems like most people only want the mini Georg, so I'm wondering if I'll be able to trade for it if I don't get him. Pondering going back and ordering more of them...

I hope he doesn't come with a fiddle

 Hey, look! It's one of those rare Saturday reveals! Check it out:

That's right - 2023's optional release for the Stablemates Club is this pretty guy, Nero! Let's hope he doesn't end up with a Sharpieloosa problem, like some old releases of yesteryear. I'm tempted to join the club with this release - I guess it depends on whether I think I can find someone to sell me one for cost. It might still be worth it not to have to deal with selling at least 3 of the other releases in the club, though. I'll have to think about it some more. Maybe they'll show us the new mold this year? I hope so.  

More news! This year's JAH is showing up in the wild!

 Great news, everyone! This year's JAH has started showing up at people's houses, with many exciting reveals! I haven't seen an image of the cover yet, but there are plenty of fun things within. I'll start with the last release in this year's Stablemates Club - say hello to new Haflinger Kit! 

Looks cute - I guess she's been clipped, judging by the legs and butt stars. She looks promising, but I want to see the actual magazine photo before I decide if I want it. 

Next, here's the reveal of Giorgio, the Premier Club Stablemate for this year! 

So the much-awaited color reveal is that of Anamar! I have to say the mini Georg looks really nice in rose gray. Can't wait to get mine! As a reminder, they're shipping with the Anamar models this year, so keep that in mind if/when preselling yours. 

And lastly, here's the final release in the 2022 Vintage Club! 

That's right - they're on the Hermosa and Corazon molds. Gulp...I'm going to regret not having a VC membership this year. I'm pretty sure they're all glossy, too - or at least the bay set are. Interestingly, the palomino set strongly resembles this auction set from 2017, and the bay set is very similar to Mamacita and Chico from 2016. Hopefully the gloss will set them apart sufficiently. The alabaster set is making me think of a Barbie playset for some reason, though. Oh well. Anyway, if you have a set you want to sell for a reasonable price, send me a message! 

Lastly, though I don't have a photo I can use, the centerpiece model for Ponies & Palm Trees was revealed (and raffled off to attendees) over the weekend - it turned out to be a bay polo pony Smarty Jones, a portrait of one of the horses at the event. Nice! Makes me glad I decided to sell off all my Smarties. If you won one of them, congrats! Uh, apparently someone sold theirs for $8,000 right after they were raffled off, so keep that in mind if you ever need an instant house payment or something! 

Whoa! Didn't see this coming either!

 It's the end of the year, people, and that means Breyer is trying to get those last few holdouts to join the clubs before signups end! To that effect, this was revealed earlier today! 

That's right - a miniature Georg is going to be the Premier Club freebie Stablemate for 2022! Oh, my stars. If I hadn't already given in and rejoined the club last night, along with the Stablemates Club, I definitely would have had to after seeing this. It's been a while since we've gotten to see the PC Stablemate ahead of time, so I'm definitely glad they showed it to us! I can't wait to see what color he's going to come in. 

In other news, the Collector Club newsletter for this month has been released! No juicy sneak peeks this time, but there is a giveaway for Christoff, and here's a much better photo of Romeo, the flagship horse for 2022: 

I'm glad I was able to snag one from Triple Mountain, because the preorders went up for Chelsea's Model Horses today and sold out in about a minute, so I'm glad I didn't have to try to compete with that. Good luck to everyone else who wants one! I haven't heard anything about Golden Oaks putting up their preorders yet, so there's still hope. I've ordered from them a few times and while things can be slow, they've always come through in the end. 

This may be the last post I write for 2021, so I hope everyone has a good New Year! Here's hoping 2022 is a better year for all of us.