Featured Model - 12/30/2016, Milton

Hello, readers, 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 make some commentary about it. This week's model is... Milton!



This model, item #1232, was produced on the Big Ben mold sculpted by Kathleen Moody. His production ran from 2004-2008. He was a portrait of the real Milton, a famous show jumper from the '90s.

This model really appeals to me - there's just something about a white horse, isn't there? Or gray-turned-white, in this case. I wouldn't mind seeing this Alabaster-ish color on a lot of models. It's a simple paint job, but still alluring.

The mold itself, I think, is one of Kathleen Moody's more underrated molds - he doesn't have the wild, flying hair of most of her other sculptures. But he's supposed to be a warmblood, horses that aren't exactly known for having abundant amounts of hair. Despite his doofy grin and horn-like forelock, he's very handsome. His original release, in 1996, was one of my first Breyer models, and he was one of my favorites! He's one of the few models from my "carpet herd" still in my collection.

Unfortunately, this particular individual has seam splits on the belly and withers - hopefully those don't progress any further than they already have. I can't have my pretty white horsey splitting in two!

The mold's last appearance in the regular line was the RCMP Musical Ride model, retired in 2015. Let's hope he shows back up soon! I wouldn't mind seeing him as a Web Special, either. Maybe in a color similar to this? He was one of the models at this year's Breyerfest live auction - that color is to die for!

Well, that brings me to the end of today's post. I hope everyone has a safe and happy New Year! (Good riddance, 2016.)

2017 Premier Club sneak peek!

Breyer sent out an email begging looking for more subscribers to the 2017 Premier Club, and they included a sneak peek of the Mindy Berg sculpt! And they even used "peek" correctly. No more sly, crafty mountains at Breyer! Well...hopefully. Here's the pic!



Interesting. Looks like a standing Andalusian stallion, maybe? We could definitely use one of those. I'm already a member of the club, though, so they don't need to entice me much more - though I wish they'd post the free Stablemate for next year. Maybe they're waiting until New Year's Eve?

Woodland Splendor and New Classic Gretel!

Hello, readers! Not much new to report here, but I did snap some quick photos of the Woodland Splendor model I got for Christmas, as well as the new Gretel.

I'll start with Woodland Splendor. I like this color on him, although the one I got wasn't quite the best, quality-wise. But I'm not terribly picky - I don't show, and I'm not sure what breed I would show this one as if I did. So, here are his photos!



Off side:



And here's a closeup of his face:



You can see his eye is sloppily painted, and he's got some gold stuff in his mane. Ah well, to the shelf he goes.

Next is the new Classic Gretel, the Bay Pinto Pony:


And here's a shot of her off side:


She at least was painted better than Woodland Splendor, and my bay pinto Hansel finally has a mother! Can't wait to get my hands on the Hansel from the new Heroes of the West set! Hopefully those, and other new Classics, start showing up soon.

Sales and Promotions Galore!

I hope everyone had a good Christmas! Luckily for us, Breyer has more deals going on! Firstly, the End-of-Year Sale:
































Collector Club members: The code "Clubplus17" is now the current code to use to get 20% off + free shipping on your order (Thxsanta16 won't work with it, but it doesn't matter because Clubplus17 gets you the same thing and the extra 10% off). This sale ends at 11:59pm tomorrow.  I used it to order the new Svali Icelandic, Sweet Pea and Bryants Jake yesterday! More ponies to join the herd, whoo!

Secondly, I got another email from Breyer this morning - they're doing another Collector Club Appreciation Day, featuring...Glossy Julien and Sophia!



The "CCLUV16" code does NOT stack with the Clubplus17 code to get 20% off, so you'll have to choose carefully. You'll still get free shipping on orders of $50 or more. The unfortunate thing with this new promotion is that you don't get to choose whether you get Glossy Julien & Sophia or Glossy Cosette. So...I guess it's a roll of the dice!This promotion ends tonight at 11:59, so choose quickly!

Also, the end-of-year sale email states that Breyer's warehouse will be closed for inventory starting 12/28 and lasting until 1/5, so any orders placed in that time period likely won't ship until 1/6 or later.

Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh!

The surprise is up - it's three new Sherman Morgans! Because nothing gets you in the holiday spirit faster than repeatedly hitting "refresh" on Breyer's website on Christmas morning.



They are Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh! It's a gambler's choice, so you won't know which one you got until you open the box. Order quick before they sell out! There are 350 of each model, so there should be plenty to go around, but you never know. My husband and I both ordered one (I like Sherman Morgan in decorator colors, not so much realistic ones), so I'm hoping to get green and gold, myself. Good luck to everyone that orders!

And before I forget - Merry Christmas, everyone!

Merry Christmas from Breyer!

I got a mysterious email from Breyer about an hour ago!



Looks like we've got another Holly/Ivy situation on our hands. Wish I could remember what time they popped up on the website last year. So, we'll all have to keep checking Breyer's website all morning, instead of the usual Christmas morning activities. I suppose that's part of the mystique.

I wonder what the surprise is? Different possibilities flit through my mind - Holly/Ivy's color on Marabella, or another mold that doesn't get used very often? Red/Green Charm on the new Fell Pony? Some type of red and green variant of the Xavier unicorn in a run of 40, my worst nightmare? Or maybe something not holiday-colored at all, to throw us all off track.

Guess we'll have to wait and see. Good luck to everyone haunting the website tomorrow! Be sure you' re signed into your Collector Club account - it will most likely show up on the CC home page.

Featured Model - 12/24/2016, Enchanted Forest

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



A mid-year release from 2010, Enchanted Forest is item #1423, on the Newsworthy mold sculpted by Sue Sifton. He was retired at the end of 2010, a pretty brief run. Not sure why; he's certainly handsome enough. The mane seam on mine is pretty prominent, but I don't know if they were all like that. I don't remember them having any terrible quality issues, either.

Whatever the reason for his retirement, I'm glad I have mine. This model is a portrait of a real pony, and they certainly did a good job on him. The mane seam issue was the only problem I spotted on mine.

I like this mold; he has a lot of personality. My husband likes it because he thinks it looks like our dog, which it kinda does. Something about the expression on his face. And he's the only updated jumper we have; I wish Breyer would come out with another one.

The stand is a bit of an issue; I'm never sure which way it should be facing. I have all of mine like in the photo above; if it's wrong, oh well. I think it looks better that way, like the model is cresting a wave or something.

The mold has had several regular run releases with braided mane/tail since its original run in 2008; aside from the Golden Boy Connoisseur, it took until earlier this year to get the loose-mane version of this mold - first with the web special Persimmon, and then the buckskin/dun Connemara. But that release is due to be retired at the end of the year. Let's hope they come out with something fun again soon!