Spooky season is just around the corner, and that means Breyer will be releasing models pretty much back to back from here on out. We just got a sneak peek of what I'm guessing is the 2022 Classics sized Halloween horse today in the Collector Club newsletter: Why am I doing my annual holiday sale so early, you ask? Well, that's why... all the upcoming releases that collectors will be saving up for. Last year I held it really late in December, and many were too burnt out from the holidays to participate. I'm right there with y'all, but then I ask myself... is there ever a really good time to hold a sale? Breyer will be releasing their Halloween series (I will not be doing pre-sales on the Halloween traditional this year due to avoiding the multiple shipment hassle I dealt with with Equidae last year so I'll only be selling them once in hand), their holiday horse, we may see a mare and foal set or pony the closer we get to Christmas, the Santa Surprise, the Classics gambler's choice is yet to be released, the web exclusive Classics unicorn, Chadwick and any lotteries among the last Vintage Club model/two more PC models and three more SMCC models to those in the clubs. This also doesn't include the optional purchases for the SMCC and Vintage Club. In other words, at this time of the year, I think it's safe to say we all go broke by December. So, I've decided to hold it this weekend starting tomorrow and going through Sunday or until sell out. What else was in the newsletter, you ask? An interesting article about Breyer shrinking traditionals into stablemates, and apparently there will be more to come! What models would you like to see shrunk? I personally would like to see Nokota put on the pedestal. How cute would the traditional molds with stands be with teeny tiny stands? A little Smarty Jones or Wyatt for example? The miniature Georg, named Georgio, will be added to my personal collection when he comes. However, Dandy the Vintage Club mini, will be for sale. I saw an Indian Pony stablemate at Breyerfest, whom I'm assuming is a set with the optional purchase "Woodstock" since the mini Dandy on the Clydesdale Stallion mold was mentioned in the welcome letter, but perhaps they changed their mind and the Indian Pony will be the freebie. Until I find out who the VC stablemate is for sure, I have to wait to do a presale. The giveaway for this month's newsletter is the SMCC shrinkie Clydesdale Stallion from last year, who ironically goes with this article.
Why do I keep letting myself get suckered into those ridiculous blind bags? Well, it hit me again. Unfortunately Tractor Supply is my mall... with having real animals to care for I'm in there at least once a week. This time those darned bags were staring me in the face right as I entered the store. I had to get the three I wanted, and I did by feeling up the bags. Again I mention this every year, there is absolutely NO reason to rip the bags open. Back in Ohio someone did this all the time and it got irritating, as I never was able to find the last couple chases. Let's have some respect, y'all. Emma was easy to feel for because she's so tiny. Alborozo is easy too since his tail sticks out to the side. I couldn't tell if Croi was a buckskin or bay by the images I saw on social media, but actually she's a little of both: a sooty buckskin. She is pretty and has been added to the conga. All mine had minor factory flaws that I can live with, but don't expect show quality with these, especially if they've been felt up. No sign of the American Dream, who apparently is a set that comes with a foal, or the traditionals in my local store yet. However 2 of the 4 are now available online: the now confirmed dunalino Lady Phase (there was much debate about her color) Jolene and the black overo Zippo Pine Bar, Zeke. I'm still going to wait until they're in stores to hand pick them but if you don't have a TSC store near you, you can get it shipped to your house. The Latigo, named Ashton, and blue decorator Geronimo, Blue, have been found in stores elsewhere. As promised here are clearer pictures: New unicorn stablemates families have also been spotted. I'll post those too once I have photos. In other Breyer news, the Ponies & Palm Trees event that will be taking place on November 11-13th will be accepting entries on Breyer's website on August 22nd. Only 200 lucky participants will be chosen (and yes, you can bring a friend) to go to Wellington, Florida for this Collector Club exclusive event. Just like with Breyerfest, each participant who purchases tickets will receive one Salvino model, shown below, and a stablemate named Delroy, although they haven't shown him yet. While we don't really need another bay on the Salinero mold, this bay is lush, probably one of the deepest and dark bays I've ever seen Breyer do to date. Good luck to those who enter! I personally won't be able to attend, as Florida is too far for us and with just buying a new house this year, it's going to take about a year before we can even think about a vacation. Maybe I'll be able to attend next year's event, provided I actually get chosen. This year has been really unlucky for me as far as raffles go.
After Breyerfest the next releases lots of collectors seem to be on the lookout for are the Tractor Supply limited editions. The majority of these runs stay true to their ranching heritage and this most of them are stock horses of some sort: Paints, Quarter Horses, Appaloosas, Indian ponies, Mustangs, etc. This year they are using all stock horse molds: a bluish-black (possibly a deco; hard to tell) Geronimo benefitting the FFA or Future Farmers of America that goes hand in hand with 4-H, a palomino/dunalino Lady Phase, a light dapple grey Latigo and a black overo on Zippo Pine Bar. For the Classic line there is a new American Dream in bay. I'm hoping my local Tractor Supply down here carries these because I conga all the molds except Geronimo, including the Classic. I'll surely update once I get better pictures but it shouldn't be long now. I'm excited to see Lady Phase and Zippo make a return, and both are flashy to boot. I was actually thinking about selling off my Latigo conga but now I think I may keep it. I'm hoping to pick out a darker shaded Latigo since greys tend to have shading variations more than any other color. Looks to be a super exciting year! Which ones are you hoping to get?
The long awaited anticipation of Zafirah, the first - and very much overdue - release of the Premier Club this year is now available to members. You have until August 23rd to purchase her if you're a member. If you purchased her from me, you have been invoiced. I decided to forego this model just because, in my opinion, nothing can top Ashquar as far as Arabians go. If you're not familiar with the Arabian world, his odd kicking stance probably does look a bit unnatural, but watch a halter show with Arabians and you will see that they do this exact kicking out movement. I fear with Zafirah's release Ashquar (whom has only had a handful of colorful releases) will be put on the backburner, and who knows when we'll see him used again. Zafirah, though her head is very Arabian-like and her mane very pretty, I'm just not sold on the long, tall legs when most Arabians are under 14 hh. At Breyerfest she just looked to me like a model whose legs are so thin they will easily warp so I most likely won't own anything on this mold. In other news, there is another series of blind bags coming out. Although I don't have any pictures I can use, there are two chases: a Wedgewood blue pinto Belgian who'd go great with either Josiah or the Rotating Draft Surprise, and a chromy gold (think car shine) Magnolia. The ones I'm interested in are thankfully common, a pinto Emma and a buckskin Croi. There is also a leopard appaloosa Missouri Fox Trotter, a red dun Mustang, a chestnut Standardbred and a black pinto Alborozo. It seems like they have to use Alby in almost every blind bag series but thankfully he's a commoner this time. A few years ago I was overjoyed about blind bags, but now, many series later, I'm really starting to lose interest after still missing the rainbow Croi and blue filigree Prince Charming to complete my congas.
I'm also about to give up entering those blasted lotteries. I didn't win Peregrine either, neither on the first draw or the wait list, and have only been pulled a total of three times for lottery models the entire time I've been a member. Maybe it's for the best though since I did sell off all my Warmbloods in my collection, although Bristol is one of those molds that could kind of be a steeplechasing Thoroughbred over a Warmblood because she's so light boned. I guess I'm just going to consider those lottery beauties to be unobtainable to my congas and put all my big money towards the Premier Club or Stone models. I'm excited to see the third PC model, who is supposed to be a "unique breed" according to Breyer. Does this mean a breed they've never done or a breed they don't use much? With Sarah's knack for Spanish breeds, I'm hoping for either a breed specific Criollo (rather than a stock horse used for a Criollo) or an upgraded Paso Fino sculpt. The Breyerfest second chance sale is happening tomorrow at 1 PM EST on Breyer's website to those who have tickets. You are limited to 2 special runs while supplies last. I'm tempted to add Landler and Brahms to my collection, as their colors were absolutely stunning in person, but I'm limiting my personal collection to certain molds and with completely eliminating Warmbloods from my collection, I really need to start sticking to certain breeds/molds so I don't end up with a collection as big as I had before we moved. Hopefully they'll use similar colorways again on different molds. I'm also saving up for Chadwick, the palomino Emerson, who is a must have. It's my birthday so I've decided to hold a flash sale. I've added a lot of rarer goodies to my website, some of them will be quite a surprise. Also because I am in the giving mood any order placed between now and Friday will include a FREE Mini Whinnie! I apologize to my subscribers for not having a sooner heads up but, as I'm sure most of you know, Kentucky has been dealing with a lot of flooding and, although we thankfully weren't impacted directly by the flooding, we have been dealing with sketchy wifi and power outages from the storms. Since my email generator requires a desktop (it unfortunately doesn't have an app) and I'm only able to use my phone right now, I had to notify this way.
As some of you may have read in my eBay and Mercari listings, we are planning on heading back to the auction at the end of August in hopes of rescuing another real horse. Last month we rescued a donkey, and I really need to do an update on him because he is doing really well. He has shed his winter coat from grooming, he has put on weight, his hip wounds are healing and he lets us touch him/halter him now. Considering that he was completely unhandled when he arrived the beginning of July, even kicking out at us a few times, that's quite an accomplishment. We're undecided whether we're going to keep him permanently or put him up for adoption once we tame him a little more. Updated pictures have been put on my Rescues page for those of you who want to read more about him. I understand that some of you come here solely for models and that's ok if you don't. In the meantime please keep my neighbors in eastern Kentucky in your thoughts, and prayers if you're spiritual. If you're a collector from that area I hope you safe and well ❤️🩹 |
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