I found this set at Leaping leopard Antiques Saturday. The owner told me she had gotten it from another owner of an antique store who "collected horses." According to her, that owner told her it was a Hartland and gave her the name of the set (which she could not remember. I have looked through my reference books but do not find this piece, so I believe it to be a knockoff. (I also have an email out to Gail Faith, Hartland expert, to get her opinion.)
Later: I heard back from Gayle Fitch who asked me to take a picture of this piece, presumably for her next book. She says,
This is a knockoff, but at least it’s in excellent condition. (I have one with the rider’s paint peeling off! Could I maybe use your picture? Or are you selling it?)
The thick plastic reins are original. Mine has those reins, and have seen others with reins like that in antique shops.
There are a couple of different knockoffs of the Hartland Large Champs; three if you count Breyer! I think the manufacturer of this copy is Ohio Plastic (no “s,” just “Plastic”).
Ohio Plastic Hartland Horse and Rider set, $32, June 2013, Leaping Leopard Antiques
On July 2, 2013 Breyer History Diva wrote on her blog that she had just found a huge box of horses at a flea market, and it included many Marx horses and tack, some Hartland Horse and Riders, and a few Breyers and others. One like mine was in the picture and she said she was going to keep it. (She called it Ohio Arts not Ohio Plastics.)
The fact that Gail asked me if I was selling mine, and Breyer History Diva kept one that she found, tells me I may have something I should hang onto, at least until I get more information about it!!
