Live Show Essentials

When going to a live show it isn't just about taking your model horses, there are lots of other things you need to take with you! Here are my live show essentials, things that I must take to every show or I'll have a complete breakdown and wouldn't be able to cope!

I have added Amazon links for each item to help you find what you need but I of course recommend you purchase from a small business and not Amazon!

The Show Bag

Live Show Bag

This holds all of my live show essentials, it is a tool bag so it has loads of pockets for everything and is really convenient!

Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stanley-Fatmax-Open-Tote-Bag/dp/B000OOLOP2/ref=sr_1_6?crid=1G3NVBE0REKKV&keywords=tool%2Bbag&qid=1643096678&sprefix=tool%2Bbag%2Caps%2C129&sr=8-6&th=1

Blusher Brushes

These are essential for dusting your models ready for showing. I keep a variety of different sizes for various different tasks.

Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pattern-Nevsetpo-Synthetic-Foundation-Eyeshadow/dp/B0811NJ3FQ/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=2E2SX9Z577TPX&keywords=blusher+brushes&qid=1643097035&sprefix=blusher+brushes%2Caps%2C68&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFaUEs3TUNUWVNKSzMmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAwNjU3NTRZVUpNSzRVRjNHNEEmZW5jcnlwdGVkQWRJZD1BMDk5NDY5NjJIVEJIVkc0VDhPQUgmd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGYmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl

Sticky Wax

Essential for performance showing or for adding a bit of security to those wobbly models.

Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Deluxe-Materials-AD29-Tacky-Adhesive/dp/B0047YOQHS/ref=sr_1_7_mod_primary_new?crid=1GEW7QTWP1FD1&keywords=sticky+wax&qid=1643097074&sbo=RZvfv%2F%2FHxDF%2BO5021pAnSA%3D%3D&sprefix=sticky+wax%2Caps%2C71&sr=8-7

Breed Cards

I keep them in alphabetical order in an A5 folder

Performance Cards

I keep these organised by performance type in plastic sleeves in an A5 folder.

Pens

Pens are very important for writing things down! I keep several as they always seem to be running out of ink!

Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cristal-Original-Ballpoint-Medium-Point/dp/B000I5ZK2U/ref=sr_1_5?crid=2SFSKUX7YVW94&keywords=pens&qid=1643097218&sprefix=pens%2Caps%2C65&sr=8-5&th=1

Show Pads

For wobbly models you need to lie them down to show them, I have three show pads that I keep in my bag so I can place these models safely in the ring.

Where do you get these? Several people who make pouches also sell them. All of mine have come from Solstice Sky Studio

Money

I keep a spare £20.00 in my show bag, this means that if I forget cash for raffle tickets I have something.

Tags/Post-it-notes

These are for writing breeds/price tags on. I have both spare tags and post-it-notes for different types of shows.

Tags: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Strung-White-Price-String-Clothes/dp/B07GN4K8SY/ref=sr_1_16?crid=1TOKL9OVRRWQF&keywords=tags&qid=1643102195&sprefix=tags%2Caps%2C75&sr=8-16

Post-it-Notes: https://www.amazon.co.uk/ZCZN-Assorted-Colour-Sticky-Self-Sticky/dp/B07FCDBYD8/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=2CJLVSQDEKW6N&keywords=post+it+notes&qid=1643102221&sprefix=post+it+notes%2Caps%2C69&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExNlk4SzVGVzRSM1hUJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNzEzMjIxVVA2VjM4OUpUTFMmZW5jcnlwdGVkQWRJZD1BMDc2MzIwNDM5WFA4WVdDNUpOU1Umd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGYmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl

Notebook

I mainly use this to record sales but also good to rip pages out to write prices on for sales tables.

Link: https://hiraethcynefin.co.uk/product/leather-journal-be-the-change/

Tweezers

I have a variety of different sizes of tweezers that I use to set up my miniature show scenes.

Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/AmazonCommercial-Stainless-Anti-static-Tweezers-Magnetic/dp/B08JDT7J37/ref=sxin_13_trfob_obrv2_0_B08JDT7J37?crid=179VJVSOST9GA&cv_ct_cx=tweezers&keywords=tweezers&pd_rd_i=B08JDT7J37&pd_rd_r=02622297-31bb-43f0-9927-02d242ddf11e&pd_rd_w=QF5Vz&pd_rd_wg=dZEyA&pf_rd_p=92c90728-4beb-4b78-aae2-1c873d13d5d6&pf_rd_r=K8D1CNHTFZXZT9GQHF5C&qid=1643102318&sprefix=tweezers%2Caps%2C78&sr=1-1-0ebec975-bf88-4752-a25f-77f835187931

Hairbrush

This is predominantly for my haired models with extremely long manes and tails. I never brush onto the model but I do brush tails of things like Equorums out onto my leg.

Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/ghd-Ceramic-Vented-Radial-Brush/dp/B00JXMCZMC/ref=sxin_13?asc_contentid=amzn1.osa.00f19577-f19e-4163-9b5b-c1c6854da7d2.A1F83G8C2ARO7P.en_GB&asc_contenttype=article&ascsubtag=amzn1.osa.00f19577-f19e-4163-9b5b-c1c6854da7d2.A1F83G8C2ARO7P.en_GB&creativeASIN=B00JXMCZMC&cv_ct_cx=hairbrush&cv_ct_id=amzn1.osa.00f19577-f19e-4163-9b5b-c1c6854da7d2.A1F83G8C2ARO7P.en_GB&cv_ct_pg=search&cv_ct_we=asin&cv_ct_wn=osp-single-source-earns-comm&keywords=hairbrush&linkCode=oas&pd_rd_i=B00JXMCZMC&pd_rd_r=a6a7f861-d22e-4596-a727-23607178d382&pd_rd_w=Y4XkU&pd_rd_wg=gVpwM&pf_rd_p=378a37de-b7a7-4fee-a5bd-6ae8a9a649f0&pf_rd_r=SH91DJ6MVSBP21SVX37Z&qid=1643102340&sr=1-3-483c64d8-df78-4008-ae20-e69f683e58b1&tag=expertosp-21

Toothbrush

This is essential for styling the manes and tails of mohaired models.

Link: https://hiraethcynefin.co.uk/product/bamboo-toothbrushes-family-pack/

Stands

Because I show a large number of very small models I have a couple of tiny acrylic blocks that I can stand them on to draw attention to them in the ring. These are particularly important for models such as Carmen who is a perlino miniature foal and often blends into the table!

Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Chuangdi-Risers-Showcase-Fixtures-Protective/dp/B07HNVVTGR/ref=sr_1_8_sspa?crid=VKNKI5KCTIWD&keywords=acrylic+block&qid=1643102416&s=luxury-beauty&sprefix=acrylic+block%2Cluxury-beauty%2C63&sr=1-8-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUE1MktBNldRRFhMVUYmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAyNjE5NTAyTVBOSEo2N0M5RlpEJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA3NTEyNDdWRFcxSTJLRUZIRVgmd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9tdGYmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl

Pastel Pencils

These are needed for touching up marks on models.

Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sketching-Portrait-Charcoal-Painting-Beginners/dp/B086D3FXDP/ref=sr_1_45?crid=1Z4OD0GSF3NLY&keywords=pastel+pencils&qid=1643102447&s=luxury-beauty&sprefix=pastel+pencils%2Cluxury-beauty%2C49&sr=1-45-catcorr

Spare Memory Cards

I used to also keep spare batteries for my camera as well but I got a new one and they no longer fit!

Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/SanDisk-Extreme-SDXC-Memory-Class/dp/B07H9J1YXN/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1A2ECCF3825Z7&keywords=sd+card&qid=1643102493&s=luxury-beauty&sprefix=sd+card%2Cluxury-beauty%2C48&sr=1-3

Tissues

Mainly for me but also for model horses if needed!

Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06XPB9VKC?pd_rd_i=B06XPB9VKC&pd_rd_w=3Ewjh&pf_rd_p=38ac87d3-6443-4c7b-8193-5dd01b7235aa&pd_rd_wg=GMppm&pf_rd_r=B0T2F7B6CNGSTZY6WCEY&pd_rd_r=d37bfd42-4692-4b9b-96fe-6c0da131c859

Duster

For larger areas of dust, especially important after Covid when models haven't been out for so long!

Duster: https://www.amazon.co.uk/2WORK-Duster-508-Yellow-Pack/dp/B000I5VXN0/ref=sr_1_52?keywords=duster&qid=1643102558&sr=8-52

Pain Killers

Some live show halls have the most horrific lighting that triggers migraines, so I always keep pain killers in my show bag.

Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nurofen-256mg-Express-Caplets-Pack/dp/B006GB1VDW/ref=sr_1_3?crid=35ITTY1ABZAAN&keywords=nurofen&qid=1643102590&sprefix=neurofen%2Caps%2C71&sr=8-3

Deodorant

Nobody likes a smelly shower!

Link: https://hiraethcynefin.co.uk/product/natural-deodorant-cinnamon-and-patchouli/

Sellotape

Useful for sticking signs to your sales table.

Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sellotape-Original-Golden-Clear-Static/dp/B07CVWTS21/ref=sr_1_5_mod_primary_new?crid=248Z9EGWT0OBT&keywords=sellotape&qid=1643102692&sbo=RZvfv%2F%2FHxDF%2BO5021pAnSA%3D%3D&sprefix=sellotape%2Caps%2C66&sr=8-5

Lip Balm

Especially important if the show hall is air conditioned and has horrible dry air

Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Burts-Bees-Natural-Moisturising-Freshly/dp/B089T1C1W2/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1QO59CUIJF4AQ&keywords=lip+balm&qid=1643102738&sprefix=lip+balm%2Caps%2C74&sr=8-5

Cotton Buds

These are really useful for getting marks or dust off models.

Link: https://hiraethcynefin.co.uk/product/bamboo-cotton-buds-200-pack/

Other Items

Blanket

To protect your models it is a good idea to lay a blanket over your show table

Link: https://www.breyerhorses.com/products/deluxe-mustang-throw?_pos=8&_sid=581c7b384&_ss=r

Extra Bubble Wrap

Why do you always have too much or too little bubble wrap? Who knows...it makes no logical sense, so take extra!

Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Large-Roll-Bubble-Wrap-500mm/dp/B088TWQ5CW/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1PLDH5S9B2P6&keywords=bubble+wrap&qid=1643104602&sprefix=bubble+wrap%2Caps%2C60&sr=8-5

Camera

Cameras are very important so you can photograph all the beautiful horses.

Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-D5600-AF-P-18-55-VR/dp/B01MQGO8V6/ref=sr_1_3?crid=37Q4WF62OFT6X&keywords=nikon+dslr&qid=1643104645&sprefix=nikon+dslr%2Caps%2C65&sr=8-3

Purse

I do forget this rather a lot (hence the backup money)! 

Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Roulens-Leather-Pendant-Multiple-Holders/dp/B08K8NPJF5/ref=sr_1_5?crid=2KUE956SWJB8F&keywords=purse&qid=1643104666&sprefix=purse%2Caps%2C78&sr=8-5

Directions

Print out the directions to the show hall, they are often quite hard to find and you may not have phone signal

Mobile Phone

Very important in case you break down or get lost. Also you can post lots of pictures on Instagram throughout the day.

Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Google-Pixel-Smartphone-Megapixel-Wide-Angle/dp/B09G77DR7C/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1SQA2I30HSTBF&keywords=google%2Bpixel%2B6&qid=1643104695&sprefix=google%2Bpixel%2B6%2Caps%2C65&sr=8-2&th=1

Download our live show checklist image, print it out and then use it to check things off before your show!

Model Horse Guilty Pleasures: Tiny Plastic Animals

Today I have a post filled with eye candy for you, but I've decided to go a little outside what I normally share and focus on things that aren't horses! Today I have pages and pages of tiny plastic animals to share with you :D

Enjoy!

Let's start with a little baby goat, how cute is this little guy?

This is Badger, a gorgeous black and white spaniel. I've always wanted a black and white Springer, this is the closest I've got though!

One of my white tail deer family

A cute little Julip dog who is holding his rope toy! How cute can you get?!?!?

Can a meme be a model horse? Apparently yes.

Flicka is a beautiful Breyer Cougar

This is a tiny unibunny, isn't she adorable, if not slightly confused?

Baloo is a beautiful Spaniel with his tongue sticking out!

This adorable Dalmatian is carrying his lead ready for his walk.

How amazingly cute is this Schleich German Shephard Puppy? He's happily trotting along, probably up to no good

This naughty little fox is ready for a little nap

OK so Knossos isn't exactly small but he is stunning!

Tiny rabbit

Tiny chinchilla 

Tiny sloth

Guinea pig in a hutch!

And a guinea pig in a hutch again...

Now where is that guinea pig going?

Bilbo is a beautiful Breyer elephant that a friend gave me

This stunning hound has a lovely latex tail that you can pose into different positions

It's Baloo again!

Front on of our little Terrier with his toy

And the Dalmatian with his lead...

And to finish the Schleich long-haired Chihuahua, another dog breed that I've always loved, although not really a small dog person.

My Favourite Citadel Paint Formulas

Happy Saturday everyone :) Today I thought I would share some of my favourite paint formulas with you. These are my go-to formulas when painting these colours, although I do vary things depending on the shade and the reference picture. Hopefully this is a great starter guide for those of you who are just starting customising or a fun alternative to experiment with for those of you who are experienced.

The colour formulas here are based on the Citadel range from Games Workshop. You can purchase these here: https://www.games-workshop.com/en-GB/detail?N=3815391097+2401632303&searchTerm=paint

Bay

Layer 1 (highlights): Skrag Brown
Layer 2 (main body coat): Doombull Brown
Layer 3 (shading): Rhinox Hide
Points: Abaddon Black

Chestnut

Layer 1 (highlights): Ungor Flesh
Layer 2 (main body coat): Tau Light Ochre
Layer 3 (shading): Skrag Brown
Points: Mechanicus Standard Grey
Mane & Tail: White + Tau Light Ochre

Black

Layer 1 (highlights): Tau Light Ochre
Layer 2 (main body coat): Abaddon Black
Layer 3 (shading): Naggorath Night
Points: Abaddon Black

Palomino

Layer 1 (highlights): Pallid Wych Flesh
Layer 2 (main body coat): Kislev Flesh + Ceramic White
Layer 3 (shading): Ungor Flesh + Ceramic White
Points: Celestra Grey
Mane & Tail: Ceramic White + Kislev Flesh

Buckskin

Layer 1 (highlights): Pallid Wych Flesh
Layer 2 (main body coat): Kislev Flesh
Layer 3 (shading): Ungor Flesh
Points: Abaddon Black + Rhinox Hide

Dun

Layer 1 (highlights): Kislev Flesh + Ceramic White
Layer 2 (main body coat): Kislev Flesh
Layer 3 (shading): Ungor Flesh + Tau Light Ochre
Points: Abaddon Black

Grulla

Layer 1 (highlights): Rakarth Flesh
Layer 2 (main body coat): Mechanicus Standard Grey + Ceramic White
Layer 3 (shading): Mechanicus Standard Grey
Points: Abaddon Black

Silver Dapple

Layer 1 (highlights): Tau Light Ochre
Layer 2 (main body coat): Rhinox Hide
Layer 3 (shading): Abaddon Black
Points: Abaddon Black
Mane & Tail: Ceramic White + Ungor Flesh

Catching Up On BreyerFest 2022 Releases

 Hello everyone :) I'm still recovering from my Covid booster (at least that's what we're blaming this on), I've been exhausted ever since and regularly needed to sleep for up to 16 hours per day! So I'm a bit behind with updating everyone on the BF special runs :D

Special Runs

Gummy Bear Set

These guy are SCENTED! I repeat SCENTED! I badly need this set!

Rotating Draught Surprise

Stein

Elbe & Spree

Landler

Limited Editions

Montanara

Which is your favourite so far? It's definitely the gummy bears for me! They are amazing! I cannot wait to get a set.

Ten Terribly Awful Horse Jokes

Let's brighten up your Saturday by sharing some of my favourite bad horse jokes for you to annoy your family with. Be the absolutely king of yard dad jokes with these awful offerings.

1. What did the horse say to his next door neighbour?

Hay neighbour!

2. Who is the most famous horse rock star?

Jon Bon Pony!

3. What cheese do you use to cover a horse?

Mascarpony

4. Why was the horse feeling so stressed?

It was saddle with responsibility

5. What's black and white and eats like a horse?

A zebra

6. What has four legs and walks backwards?

A horse in reverse

7. What do you call a burnt Tesco burger?

Black Beauty

8. Why do some horses get cold feet?

They don't have socks

9. Why can horses jump so high?

They have frogs in their feet

10. What's the hardest thing about learning to ride a horse?

The ground!

My Favourite Websites: Schleich Wiki

Over the years I've shared lots of websites with y'all that are invaluable to any model horse collector. Today I received an email from a customer asking about how they could keep track of their Schleich collection, so in response to that I thought I would share one of my favourite resources, the Schleich Wiki page!

Toy Animal Wiki is a great resource record for the different CTF toy brands. But the one that I think we all find most useful is the Schleich page.

https://toyanimal.info/wiki/Schleich_Horses

The website isn't the best if you don't have some idea of what the horse you are looking for is. It is better for finding information about the model in order to put it in your records. It gives the years produced and also the product code which is really useful!

It is also missing some information here and there but generally speaking is very useful and up to date.

If you are looking to ID a model I recommend that you start by either Googling an approximation of what you think it looks like (is it a Holsteiner? a Lipizzaner? a Shire?) or you use this website: http://www.toydreamer.com.au/schleich1.asp?toytype=knights to help you find the model you are looking for.

I hope that proves helpful for my fellow Schleich collectors :) Remember you can also download a model horse spreadsheet from our website here: https://www.chestnutridge.co.uk/free-downloads.html#/

Ten Stunning Circus Costumes to Inspire You

 I just love sparkles, and feathers, and colour, so it is no surprise that one of my favourite things to create is circus costumes!

But it is hard to feel sparkly in the long dark nights of January so here are ten stunning sparkly costumes to inspire you to create something beautiful this month.

1. This tiny lion pony!

2. Black and white simple design with feathers

3. This adorable pair of ponies decked out in bright red

4. These beautiful blue plumes and simple silver tack

5. How did we get all the way to five without pink? I'm not sure! Here's some pink :D

6. This stunning vintage pair with pink, blue and yellow feathers

7. More red plumes with matching yellow tack

8. This beautiful blue and silver tack set and stunning rider dress!

9. To finish we have two variations on the pegasus costume, this one has some gorgeous sparkles

10. And this one is modified so that it can be ridden in

I hope this has provided you with a bit of January inspiration, have you created a circus costume? If so do share it with me!