A Case for Bridle Rosettes

Ever since I began collecting bridle rosettes, I have been looking for a way to display them. Shadow boxes didn't work well - the rosettes have a raised bar on the back so that they can be used on a bridle, and that made them roll around in the little cubbies.

Sorry for the photo quality - the sun isn't up yet as I write and there is glass in the cover of the box.

That bar on the back made it so that anything I tried for displaying them simply didn't work. Finally, I just put my rosettes into a box and set them on the shelf. I was resigned that I was going to have to have to go down to the frame shop and see what they could figure out.

Then, a friend posted on social media that she had bought a ring case to display her horsey jewelry and rings. Since I have a lot of horsey jewelry, I clicked on her photos to see if it might work for me. And in doing so, I solved my own problem.

Photo by Myla Pearce. Don't her things look great displayed like that? And how easy to find what she wants to wear!

I hopped onto Amazon, found a similar one, and ordered it. It arrived this weekend and I began inserting my bridle rosettes. Looks pretty good thus far!

I also included a photo of my father with his circus pony, Oh Boy. I have Oh Boy's bridle and there is one rosette remaining on it, so I plan to pop that one into the case, too. The plain silver one is from my first horse, Amy's bridle. 

Thanks, Myla, for the wonderful idea!

Breyer Shetland Pony

I no longer have the black pinto Setland pony that my father gifted me for Christmas about 15 years ago (oh, how I wish I did for the sentimental vale!)

 But I do now! I bought one that Sande Schneider had for sale when she came to Happy Trails 2.

Shetland Pony, #21, 1960 - 1973, $15, Sande Schneider, 6/2019.

The New Brownie

There was a surprise in store for me at last Saturday's Great Lakes Congress show and this one made the tears well up when I saw it.

Heather McCurdy called me over and handed me a bubble wrapped package. What was inside was  a total surprise. It was also very, very familiar.

An old Made in Japan china saddle horse with chain reins.

Heather explained that she had found it at an auction in a box with some other horses, and knowing my story, had snagged it for me. 

So what is the story?

 It can be found in Nancy Kelly's recent book, Exploring the Model Horse Hobby on page 60.

This is Brownie, the very first model horse I ever got, given to me by Santa in 1963 when I was six. I loved Brownie so much, and many childhood memories are wrapped around him. For example, I have a very vivid memory of holding him close while lying in bed while very, very ill with the measles. 

As you can see from the photo, living with me was hard on poor Brownie. My dad faithfully glued him for me every time I broke him. Decades later, I considered having him restored, but I decided that I liked him the way he was because the yellowed glue on the multiple breaks was a visible reminder of how much my father loved me.  I look at Brownie and I see my father's love.

Despite having chased after model horses for decades, never have I found another piece just like Brownie. Heather knew that he was incredibly special to me, so when she spied him in that box at the auction, she snagged him for me.

Brownie always has been and will forever will be a reminder of my dad's love. New Brownie is special, too, and is a reminder of the kindness and thoughtfulness of a dear friend.

Thanks, Heather. There are no words to express my gratitude.