Hamilton Collection Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Miniature Show Horse

I found this on eBay as I looked for HR circus ponies.

 Hamilton Collection Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Miniature Show Horse, $11, Jeanne Forstall, Metairie, LA, 6/2016.

 I thought this was a piece that could be bought as a circus souvenir, but I think actually it was something that Hamilton offered on its collectors' site.

Made in the UK of a very heavy resin; limited to 9,800 pieces.

Beswick Thelwell Kick Start

At Hoosier Pony Live, Lois Bennington had this cutie for sale.

Beswick Thellwel Kick Start, #2769, 1982, $100, 6/2016.

 I waited a few months before buying him, but am glad that I did.

Hartland Lamp

I think this may actually be a Hartland copy, but it was still a fun find!

 Hartland Chubby/copy lamp, $25, Rennselaer Antiques, 6/12/16.

Patriot

I love Breyer's clearware and translucents! They just released this red, white, and blue model on the Moody Saddlebred, and he is gorgeous!

 Breyer Patriot, #1755, $55, 2016 only (?) Lynn Luther/The Model Trading Post, 5/2016

There is some concern that Breyer's red and pink colors fade, especially on clearware and translucents, so I am going to have to be careful and keep him away from direct sunlight.

A First - Durham Industries Metal SM

This piece is a first for my collection.

 A clanky (metal) Breyer Stablemate knock-off done by Durham Industries!

 Durham Industries SM TB Mare, 1976, $16, Sell It Here, Lafayette, IN, 5/6/2016.

It was a struggle to get the resolution needed for the picture, but I can read it on the piece, and I did some research online and found other knock-offs of Breyer SMs by Durham. Those are at least in more realistic colors - this one is pice and black! (Probably was supposed to be a buckskin.)

I've seen Durham Hartland Tinymite knock-offs, but this is my first Breyer.

Hoosier Pony Live

Rarely do I get the chance to attend a model horse show. But when one is held only two hours away and is a collectibility-only show (which is the focus of my collection), I do my best to squeeze in the time and make it to the show.

Last weekend's Hoosier Pony Live, held in Bloomington, fit all those parameters, so I sent in my entry last December and made the trek. I was able to drive down and back in one day, with Craig coming along for company and to help with the drive (I am fine during daylight hours; nighttime is another story.)

 The show hall opened at 8:00, and I began the unpacking of the pieces I had brought to show.

 I had a ten foot table, and covered it completely! (I brought 70 pieces to compete.)

The cards are used in collectibility shows as a way to document what you are showing for the judge and to point out any unique aspects of the piece.

The show began right on time with six rings running concurrently. At one point, I had pieces in four different rings - keeping track of my entries was difficult, but I did not miss a single class, thank goodness.

 The Monrovia Era Hagen Renaker Class - Stallions/Colts was my first class. These are the super oldies and generally the most valuable of the American china pieces. I had two pieces in this class.

(Photo by Lois Bennington and used with permission.)

My Sherif is a multiple champion at past shows and has a reserve national championship at NAN. He took second in the class, qualifying him for future nationals. 

 My pair of Alabaster old mold Proud Arab Mare and her Proud Arab Foal.

 Another piece of mine that usually does well - Jarkko, the Icelandic Pony won the Breyer China class.

 There were classes for vintage customs, too. This (I think) is the 1990s class.

Pace's Hi Hopes done by Sherri Cook was the earliest custom at the show. I bought him in 1971 and brought along his old photo show pictures as part of my documentation. Never thought I would show him again, but as collectibility shows rise in popularity, it would not surprise me if I got to bring him out again.

By early afternoon, two of the divisions were completed, and the pace of the show had slowed down (at least, for me it did!)

The Breyer Flocky class was a lot of fun!

I had my rocking horse...

... and my Clydesdale stallion along.

And the woodgrain class was to die for! I had my 5 Gaiter with original tenite sticker and my no-muscle Clydesdale entered. There were 25+ pieces in the class; I was surprised that they took 5th and 4th respectively.

Throughout the day I had the chance to chat with long-time friends Karen Beeson, Chris Walbruch, and Pat Reed. And there were acquaintances/Facebook friends who I knew from online interactions but had never met in person. It was good to get a chance to say "hello."

Packing up at the end of the day.

As big and ambitious as the class list was, I thought we might go late (which is why I asked Craig if he would come), but we ended at a very reasonable 6:30 PM. I was home and in bed by 10:00!

Sarah Townsend did a marvelous job on her first show (did I mention the fabulous pizza lunch??) and I sure hope she puts this one on again. I would most definitely come again!

Horse Room - In Miniature!

I got a kick out of these pictures. They are from a diorama entry a British woman made for a collectors' show in England. The similarities to my horse room are eerily familiar, down to the tubs on the floor because I am packing for a show!

A desk, shelves, tubs for the show...

An enclosed case to keep fragile pieces safe.

Ribbons that were won at show hung on shelves and displayed.

Sure looks familiar, doesn't it?!