It looks like this new Collector Club newsletter is here to stay. In this month's issue there were a couple new surprises revealed. One is a sneak peek of an upcoming Collector Club model with the only hint is that it's something "berry" special so many collectors are speculating a return of the Berry Ponies series. I've decided to refrain from purchasing any raffle models this year since I've already overspent from joining the Premier Club for this year. If it's on the Fell Pony mold, I will probably cry. Breyer is offering a giveaway each month for their 70th anniversary year to Collector Club members only, and this month's freebie is the very limited edition of the chestnut Esprit made as a volunteer model for the World Equestrian Games in 2010. I love this color so much more than the grey, but the chances of actually winning are astronomical since they're only giving away one so I'm not even going to consider entering. They mentioned that 2020 marks the 10 year anniversary of the Esprit mold, which makes me wonder if that's why he made a return out of the blue for Breyerfest this year too, in the form of the early bird raffle model, Dyflin. Although I think his stock photo quite plain, he'll probably look better in real life with his interference. If I happened to win one though (which again is astronomical) I would probably sell him. I collect for colorful models, not rarity. So it's a nice start to the new year, and it's especially generous of Breyer to offer a free model once a month. Good luck to those that enter, and if you're not currently a Collector Club member, stay tuned for more upcoming club releases to look forward to on the second hand market. That sneak peek looks to be a good one!
Now that we all know the theme for Breyerfest 2020 is going to include Celtic origins and now that we've been introduced to the celebration model, as well as the early bird raffle model, it's time to start guessing which molds we may see in the lineup. Breyer did share that the models will represent not just Ireland but all of the UK so I will share with y'all my predictions for breeds and molds used for Breyerfest 2020: 2 of 3 Premier Club Models At least two of the three previous year's PC models are usually used for Breyerfest. Now of the three breeds they released last year, the Welsh Mare/Foal set and Georg the drafter both fit the theme very well, since draft horses and ponies are common in the UK. Georg could very well be a Suffolk Punch (a breed we've yet to see on traditional scale) while a mare and foal set is due since we didn't have one last year. The only issue with Georg is if they use one of the draft horses I have listed below, they probably won't use him since they don't usually make more than one draft horse per year. The third horse, Hamilton, I don't see as a likely candidate since we have a regular run made on him for the 70th anniversary collection, though there's a rumor going around that Marc of Charm might be used as a store special. If so, he could very well be on Hamilton. Clydesdale or Shire The UK is well known for their Clydesdales and the Shires, and I don't expect Breyer to let that go. I'm expecting either Shannondell or Othello to be used, although I'm leaning more towards Shannondell since Othello has been used so many times before. Gypsy Vanner Nothing says "UK" more than the Gypsy Vanner. Whether they use Goffert or the actual Gypsy Vanner mold, I will be highly surprised if there isn't at least one in this year's theme. Thoroughbred I'm going to throw this one out there. Not necessarily an Irish breed, although cherished by the Irish for both jumping and racing is the Thoroughbred. Frankly, I'd love to see a beautiful dapple grey done on Bristol. So many plain colors have been done on her lately that I think she is deserving of a nice coat. I know Bristol is technically more of a Warmblood, she could still possibly be a steeplechaser if one uses their imagination. Irish Warmblood The Irish Sport Horse, Irish Draught and Irish Warmblood are all used for three day eventing. One thing that Ballynoe Castle, the three day eventing superstar, proves is that Breyer is falling in with the theme this time. Since Ballynoe Castle is the warmblood, do you think they'll do another one? Ponies
There are so many pony breeds native to the UK that it's nearly impossible for Breyer to leave them out. Bouncer and the Welsh Mare/Foal molds are the most popular guesses from social media. Although, as I previously wrote, I'm expecting the Welsh Mare/Foal to be used this year, but the problem with Bouncer as the surprise model is asking yourself if he's worth the $85 price tag since he's about the size of a Classics model and, if not, would a reduction in the price of the surprise model be suspicious? It could be possible, however, that Bouncer might be used with the Welsh Mare/Foal as a little pony family. Maybe it's just me but I'd scoop that up in a second! Surprise Model My top three guesses for the surprise model are: the Connemara Mare, Goffert or the Fell Pony. The Connemara Mare mold fits the theme and she's a larger mold while at the same time still being considered a "pony" plus she's been predicted to be a surprise model for a couple years now (which obviously never happened). Goffert is a Kathleen Moody sculpt, so he falls within the time frame where the surprise models are still pretty popular that people will buy them, but not so new that people will spill blood to get one. The Fell Pony is more of a hope on my part. I plan to conga this mold in as many as I can get my hands on. Even though she is a smaller mold as well, since her induction in 2015 she's only been used twice before, and one is nearly impossible to find unless you were one of the lucky 200 people who attended the Chasing the Chesapeake event. So to have more colors on the Fell Pony would be a dream. Every year, Breyer has like a mini Breyerfest limited to only 100 Collector Club members in which they select a city in the US to go to and tour the town, as well as offer those 100 people the opportunity to purchase special run models made only for that event. They give out a traditional sized model with each ticket, just like the celebration model, and even have a line for the special run models just like Breyerfest. Unlike Breyerfest however the tickets are ultra expensive and so are the models. This year's event is the Seattle Soiree, which in itself is too costly for me at $275 per ticket, let alone the fact that it's on the other side of the country from me. Take air fare into consideration as well as the $150 per night hotel for three nights and you've got a hefty bill. This doesn't even include the fact that the models available for purchase at the event are $150+ each so unfortunately I will not be attending. There were quite a few events in the past where I about fainted when I saw the models. According to Breyer's website, all attendees will get to tour Pegasus Training and Rehab Center and Misty Hollow Stables, along with the Breyer Boutique where you shop til you drop, a group lunch and a Roaring 20s party in the Space Needle (how freaking cool is that?!) so I truly do envy the collectors who can afford the trip. Those models are often drool worthy. Anyways the drawing for this event started today. You only need to enter once. If you enter more than once, your chances of being drawn do not increase. People will be selected January 13th and you have until January 19th to purchase your tickets. Speaking of tickets, Breyerfest tickets have also hit the website. I will be doing a video soon to show y'all how to navigate the website to order tickets and explain what each ticket is, since they're kind of hard to find. I'm holding off ordering until I see the models before I decide if I'm going to Breyerfest for sure or not but I'm hopeful that they'll start revealing the models soon.
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