My 20 Best ARC Models

I took advantage of the sunshine over Easter and spent some time photographing some of my show string models.

I thought over the next few weeks I would spend some time sharing my 20 best models for each finish with you.

Today we are going to start off with Artist Resin and China models. Most of these are Animal Artistry models but there are a few resins in there as well!

The horses are in order of highest average points to lower.

1st Place

Stable Name: Party

Show Name: CRS Fiesta

Colour: Grey

Breed: Andalusian

Sculptor: Donna Chaney

Artist: Animal Artistry

2nd Place

Stable Name: Catriona

Show Name: CRS Ana Bahebak

Colour: Grey

Breed: Arabian

Sculptor: Donna Chaney

Artist: Animal Artistry

3rd Place

Stable Name: Ruby

Show Name: CRS Risky Ruby

Colour: Chestnut

Breed: Arabian x Welsh

Sculptor: Kelly Sealey

Artist: Deborah Brown

4th Place

Stable Name: Alaria

Show Name: CRS Romantic Realist

Colour: Grey

Breed: Unicorn

Sculptor: Donna Chaney

Artist: Animal Artistry

5th Place

Stable Name: Honey

Show Name: CRS Honey Bear

Colour: Silver Bay

Breed: Comtois x

Sculptor: Donna Chaney

Artist: Animal Artistry

6th Place

Stable Name: Brendon

Show Name: CRS Ana Bahebik

Colour: Black Leopard Spotted

Breed: Light Type Historical Noriker

Sculptor: Donna Chaney

Artist: Animal Artistry

7th Place

Stable Name: Lovelace

Show Name: CRS Pressured Storm

Colour: Palomino

Breed: Tennessee Walking Horse

Sculptor: Donna Chaney

Artist: Animal Artistry

8th Place

Stable Name: Nietzsche

Show Name: CRS Nietzsche

Colour: Brown Spotted

Breed: Mule

Sculptor: Donna Chaney

Artist: Animal Artistry

9th Place

Stable Name: Juniper

Show Name: CRS Juniper Tree

Colour: Grulla Pinto

Breed: Tinker Pony

Sculptor: Kelly Sealey

Artist: Unknown

10th Place

Stable Name: Mystic

Show Name: CRS Mystic Water

Colour: Decorator

Breed: Unicorn

Sculptor: James Richmond

Artist: Catriona Harris

11th Place

Stable Name: Senegal

Show Name: CRS Senegal

Colour: Black Zebra

Breed: Zebra

Sculptor: Donna Chaney

Artist: Animal Artistry

12th Place

Stable Name: Ghost

Show Name: CRS Poltergeist

Colour: Blue Roan

Breed: Cob

Sculptor: Donna Chaney

Artist: Animal Artistry

13th Place

Stable Name: Nadir

Show Name: CRS Spectral Zenith

Colour: Decorator

Breed: Pegasus

Sculptor: Unknown

Artist: Catriona Harris

14th Place

Stable Name: Fehran

Show Name: CRS Fehran

Colour: Bay

Breed: Arabian

Sculptor: Donna Chaney

Artist: Animal Artistry

15th Place

Stable Name: Hare

Show Name: CRS Hare You Can

Colour: Grey

Breed: Thoroughbred

Sculptor: Donna Chaney

Artist: Animal Artistry

16th Place

Stable Name: Legend

Show Name: CRS I Am Legend

Colour: Black Leopard Spotted

Breed: British Spotted Pony

Sculptor: Lynne Fraley

Artist: Nell Coffin

17th Place

Stable Name: Rolly

Show Name: CRS Tickle Me Pickle

Colour: Dunalino

Breed: Mustang

Sculptor: Maggie Bennett

Artist: Catriona Harris

18th Place

Stable Name: Celia

Show Name: CRS Alkharif

Colour: Grey

Breed: Unicorn

Sculptor: Donna Chaney

Artist: Animal Artistry

19th Place

Stable Name: Heinrich

Show Name: CRS Heinrich Hanson

Colour: Bay Pangare

Breed: Swedish Drafter

Sculptor: Donna Chaney

Artist: Animal Artistry

20th Place

Stable Name: Celestia

Show Name: CRS Nashira

Colour: Decorator

Breed: Unicorn

Sculptor: Donna Chaney

Artist: Catriona Harris

BreyerFest 2025 Models Run Down

 BreyerFest 2025 is getting closer so I thought it would be great to do a run down of the BreyerFest 2025 models! I am planning on getting my online tickets this week so I have also given a rundown of which models I will definitely be adding to my collection.

Limited Editions

Name: Belesema Sapphire

Number: 2,000

Price: $70.00

Available: In Person & Online

On My Buy List? No

Name: Halcyonia Night Life

Number: 2,000

Price: $75.00

Available: In Person & Online

On My Buy List? No

Name: Game Day Surprise

Number: 1,750

Price: $35.00

Available: In Person & Online

On My Buy List? Yes

Name: Beau N' Arrow

Number: 2,000

Price: $80.00

Available: In Person & Online

On My Buy List? Yes

Name: Best of BreyerFest Series 6

Number: 2,100

Price: $60.00

Available: In Person & Online

On My Buy List? Yes

Name: Hooplah

Number: 3,000

Price: $75.00

Available: In Person & Online

On My Buy List? Yes

Name: Shindig

Number: 3,000

Price: $15.00

Available: In Person & Online

On My Buy List? Yes

Name: Party Pal

Number: 1,950

Price: $20.00

Available: In Person & Online

On My Buy List? Yes!!! I mean of course I have to get the plush :D

Name: Standing Ovation

Number: 1,750

Price: $50.00

Available: In Person & Online

On My Buy List? No

Special Runs

Name: Get This Party Started

Number: 2,500

Price: $70.00

Available: In Person Only

On My Buy List? No

Name: Let The Good Times Roll

Number: 2,500

Price: $80.00

Available: In Person and Online

On My Buy List? No

Name: Good Times and Great Friends

Number: 2,300

Price: $85.00

Available: In Person Only

On My Buy List? No

Name: To The Ties That Bind Us

Number: 2,200

Price: $75.00

Available: In Person & Online

On My Buy List? YES!!!!! (I NEED THIS MODEL)

Name: YOLO

Number: 2,400

Price: $75.00

Available: In Person Only

On My Buy List? No

Name: Hats Off To You

Number: 2,500

Price: $70.00

Available: In Person & Online

On My Buy List? Yes

Name: Future Is Bright

Number: 2,200

Price: $75.00

Available: In Person & Online

On My Buy List? No

Name: Life's a Journey

Number: 2,000

Price: $65.00

Available: In Person Only

On My Buy List? Yes - will have to buy him second hand

Name: Seize The Day Surprise

Number: 7,800

Price: $85.00

Available: In Person & Online

On My Buy List? Yes

Event Models

Name: Tight Lines

Number: NA

Price: Free with 'Traditional' & VIP tickets

Available: In Person & Online

On My Buy List? Yes

Name: Break Out The Bubbles

Number: NA

Price: Free with VIP Tickets (complete set), General Admission & Online Stablemate (One Random)

Available: In Person & Online

On My Buy List? Yes - Preference is definitely Bellini

Bellini

Mimosa

Cava

Prosecco

Prizes & Volunteer Models

The Breyer Ambassador model for 2025 comes in three colour-ways two of which have already been released.

Swag

This is the VIP Swag set - the only piece of swag we've had a full view of yet (there have been a few sneak peaks)

Two New Customs

I feel like I haven't really painted in ages so it was really nice to sit down and get some painting done over the last few days.

I needed to finish the roan custom that we are giving away this month on our Facebook page but I also wanted to work on getting some of my resins painted. I am getting slightly bored of the passive aggressive comments from my husband about how I never paint any my resins and how many unpainted ones I have, so I am working on making sure that several get complete!

I had a nice morning finishing these two off and listening to my audiobook. The light was good, although I have also added a new light to my study which means I can now easily paint on dark dreary days (like today for example)! I also did a bit of work on a few other models that I have been working on for a while, but these are the two that I finished.

Roan Fighting Stallion

The first model is this gorgeous roan fighting stallion. This model is Stablemate scale and is the M1 Fighting Stallion. I love these cute little shrinkie Traditional scale models and adore painting them. They always look so lovely.

When I was thinking of what model would be a great choice for the roan prize to be offered in my competition this guy just struck me as the perfect choice. As a Mustang I have real freedom of colour and roan suits him so well. He will be an easy model for his new owner to show as the colour suits the breed well.

He is painted with airbrushed acrylics, pastels and hand painted acrylic details. I started with his base coat using an airbrush to build the colours up slowly from light to dark. I then airbrushed white paint to give full roaning across the coat. I used hand painted acrylics to add some more detail to his roaning and then some pastels for a little bit of shading. His details were finished off in hand painted acrylics with gloss on his eyes and hooves.

I named this cute little guy Keep Your Eyes on me. As always he is named after a song, do you know this one?

If you want to give a home to this model then head along to our Facebook page and enter our look-a-like competition. This is open until April 30th. Click here to see the post.

Perlino Cob

The second model is a super cute little resin cob. This is one of the Maggie Bennett micros. I have so many of these guys it is getting completely out of hand so I always feel good when I paint one!

The model is 'Offerman' and is a Pewter micro that was released as part of the club in 2019. So yes this poor guy has been sat here for nearly 6 years with no clothes! At least he is finally finished. He is a cute little bowing Cob with plenty of fluff.

I have named this more CRS Phosphorus which just seemed to suit. No shortened name, he can just be Phosphorus!

I painted him to an adorable perlino colour. I wanted to do a perlino as I actually don't have a solid custom perlino so I thought if I had full freedom of colour with a Cob I would pick a colour that I did not already have! I gave him heavy white markings as is often seen with American style Vanners.

The model is painted with airbrushed acrylics and then has been finished off with some pastelling. I used some of my new metallic pastels to give her coat a slight shimmer, something which is often seen on double cream models.

Which is your favourite out of the pair?

Celebration of Breyer II

 Did you enjoy our first photoshow of the year? If you did then get ready because Celebration of Breyer II will be starting shortly!

This is the second show in our model horse photoshow series for Breyers only. If you have kept up to date with our updates you will know that this year marks 10 years since Chestnut Ridge started stocking Breyer horses. To celebrate we are running four shows through the year:

1. Celebration of Breyer I - Photoshow for Traditional scale model horses (January 2025)

2. Celebration of Breyer II - Photoshow for other scale model horses (May 2025)

3. Celebration of Breyer Live - Live show for Breyer model horses (August 2025)

4. Celebration of Breyer III - Photoshow for Stablemate scale model horses (September 2025)

Our first show was a great success with 5880 entries over the four sections.

We are expecting this show to be a bit smaller but I'm sure you all have some amazing model horses to bring out and show. This show is for 'other scale' model horses and will be for any Breyer horses that is not Traditional or Stablemate scale.

Classic scale Breyer horses are perfect for this show.

Basic Information

Show Name: Celebration of Breyer II

Opening Date: 1st May 2025

Closing Date: 31st May 2025

Hosting Site: OMHPS

Link: https://www.omhps.com/Show/Details/c6fbae91-ce50-464d-bfde-b257c4b97bfe

Sections: Breed, Collectability, Performance, Workmanship

Approved Brands: Breyer

Approved Scales: All except Traditional & Stablemate

Approved Finishes: OF Plastic, OF China, OF Resin

Foalzillas can enter this show

What is 'Other Scale'?

Other scale refers to any Breyer horse that is not Stablemate or Traditional scale. The show includes plastic and CCR Breyer models.

There are four main scales that will be shown:

1. Classic/Freedom Series (1:12 scale)
2. Paddock Pal (1:24 scale)
3. Mini Whinnie (1:64 scale)
4. 'Foals' (1:6 scale)

Any Breyer Gallery piece that does not fit within Traditional/Classic scale and also isn't one of the scales listed above would also go into this show.

We expect most of the entries to be Classics, Paddock Pals and Mini Whinnies but I'm hoping for a few Foalzillas!

Think about which models you want to enter - this model would be perfect for the Partbred Arabian class

The Prizes

Each section champion will receive a £10.00 Chestnut Ridge voucher!

These will be sent via the private messaging system on OMHPS and are valid both in person and also on the Chestnut Ridge website (www.chestnutridge.co.uk)

If you are international and concerned about shipping we do offer a variety of digital products that are shipping free :D

Concerned you don't have many models to enter? Why not order one of the new Breyer 2025 Classics from Chestnut Ridge! Due April 2025.

The Sections

This show has four main sections which are:

1. Breed
2. Collectability
3. Performance
4. Workmanship

Breed

Breed classes are split by breed and are judged on breed standard as well as all the usual judging criteria. There are a variety of classes to suit all models including an other animal class for non-equine models.

Collectability

The collectability sections are split by breed type and then the classes are split by run type. They will be judged on the collectability of the models. Please ensure to include as much detail as possible to save me time when judging :)

Performance

Performance sections are split by discipline. They will be judged on the accuracy of the set up including realism and adherence to the rules of the relevant discipline. 

Workmanship

Workmanship classes are split by colour. These will be judged on the quality of finish but also the realism of colour. These are effectively 'colour' classes as I appreciate there's no real workmanship for OF models!

Ensure your picture is clear with your model square on to the camera

Some Tips!

Excited about entering the show! Here are some top tips for success.

Tip 1 - Ensure your model is square on to the camera

Tip 2- Provide all relevant information to help with judging

Tip 3 - Get your models uploaded now

Tip 4 - Think carefully about what classes you want to enter

Tip 5 - Make sure your pictures are clear & in focus

Ready to enter? Then head on over to OMHPS and get your models uploaded ready for May 1st!

Crackers Day at the Beach

 I posted this on Instagram today and thought I would post the whole thing in one go for those who want to read the whole story in one. It's been a while since we've had many updates from Crackers so I thought it would be nice to have some new stories for 2025.

Crackers' Trip to the Beach

Chloe was ecstatic, she had been nagging her mum for months to let them take the horses to the beach. Her friend Sarah had taken her perfect little pony club pony, Mocha, to the beach in July and had been going on about it ever since. Not a day went by when she didn't think to tell Chloe about how beneficial it would be to take the horses down and how good it was for their legs to ride in the salt water, although of course, she would also make a point of saying how it probably wouldn't make much difference for a 'cob like Crackers'. Chloe seriously wondered why she still hung around with Sarah and her gang of perfect pony club pals but then she remembered that she lets her use her fancy shampoo at Pony Club camp and allows her to put Crackers in her fancy lorry to go to shows and thought it was probably worth all the jabs and jibes.

But today her mother had finally relented. She agreed that they could borrow a horse box and take Crackers and Billy down to the beach. Chloe and Edward were over the moon, they couldn't wait to gallop across the golden sands and feel the spray of the surf against their feet. The only slight problem was that it was currently January, and in the UK, and all three appeared to have conveniently forgotten that even on a sunny day like today it was hardly going to be barmy. When they got there the wind was horrific. The moment they opened the car door it whipped against them, pushing the door back and nearly making it slam into the van next door. Chloe groaned, Crackers HATED the wind. Actually, she mused, he hated all weather. For a cob he seemed remarkably fair weather minded and she just knew he wasn't going to be amused at being made to get out and walk along a freezing cold beach in a gale.

The moment she got Crackers out of the lorry she realised he was not going to be in the mood. He was immediately on his toes, snorting and throwing his head in the air, arching his back and tail like an Arab and prancing on the spot. She was so glad she had travelled him in his tack, there was no way she'd be able to get a saddle on him when he was like this. Billy, meanwhile, was, as usual completely indifferent to the whole experience. Interested only in eating the wisps of grass by the side of the car park and sniffing at Edward's pockets in the hope that he might find some polos.

With some effort Edward and Chloe's mother managed to restrain an angry Crackers so that she could get on his back. Reluctantly he stood still stamping his feet and shoving his ears back determined to show his absolute disgust at being made to get out of bed early on a Sunday morning in order to freeze his hooves off. Crackers wasn't quite sure why he couldn't' have just gone for a ride at home, in the shelter, or preferably, just stayed in bed, why instead did he have to get out of bed and come to this god forsaken place? Accompanied by their mother and a sleepy Billy and Edward they walked down onto the beach. In front of them was a long line of white sand, covered in sea weed and there in the distance was a grey angry sea, whipping up huge waves of foam that crashed against the beach, bringing with them all manner of rubbish and detritus. Picking their way through plastic bottles, sea weed and old fishing lines they walked down to the sea and ambled along the line of the surf. 

"Once you get used to it it really isn't that bad" Chloe chattered her teeth as she turned a forced smile to Edward. On the way Edward had been just as enthusiastic as her but now they were here she couldn't work out who was more annoyed, him or Crackers, who now had his head down trying to keep his long mane out of his eyes and turn himself into the wind whilst also walking in a straight line. For an uncoordinated Cob this wasn't the easiest of feats and he nearly fell over his own legs multiple times. 

"Why don't we have a canter?" Chloe suggested as they walked along, "Might warm us up".

Edward groaned. He was pretty sure that going faster was not going to improve the feeling of stinging cold spray against his face, but Chloe had already kicked Crackers on and the grumpy Cob, always willing to get things over with as quickly as possible had galloped off into the distance. Billy was less enthusiastic and loped along at a pitiful attempt at a canter for a few strides before giving up, trotting for a bit before eventually grinding to a full halt and falling back to sleep.

At first Crackers had thought galloping would improve the situation. He was wrong. Very wrong. Far from making him warmer he was now distinctly colder. How could rain hurt? He'd never felt rain that hurt before? It was winder, he was fat, he was fluffy, he hadn't been clipped this year and was pretty sure his winter coat was supposed to protect him from things like rain, but yet he could still feel it. Yes this was not fun. He'd had enough. Time to stop. But as he pulled up Chloe kicked him on, determined to live out her fantasy of galloping through the surf like a romantic heroin in one of those Edwardian novels she had become so obsessed with recently. Crackers, however, was not living out his fantasies. He was living a nightmare. He'd had enough and with a great effort he threw his quarters into the air and with an all mighty buck sent Chloe flying into the sand. Grinding to a halt he decided he needed a snack after all that effort and started to nibble on the strange black thick grass that lay about in the sand. 

Soaking wet and sore Chloe turned to look at Crackers, seaweed sticking out of his mouth, sand in his mane and tail, reins around his neck and genuinely looking a frightful sight. With a stomp she walked up to him, pulled the seaweed out of his mouth, grabbed his reins and trundled back to Edward who was sat on a sleepy Billy chatting to his mother and trying not to laugh.

"Home?" her mother suggested.

"Home." Chloe agreed. Wondering whether maybe she should try the moors next, afterall, those were also romantic weren't they?

Celebration of Breyer Shows

 Hello everyone and welcome to our first post of 2025!

2025 is a big year for us, it's ten years since we started stocking Breyer horses. It almost feels like yesterday (definitely doesn't feel like 10 years) but we are super excited that we have been able to offer a brilliant range of Breyer horses for so long and have some many awesome customers who support us :)

To celebrate this awesome event we will be running a series of four Breyer shows throughout the year, three photoshows on OMHPS and one live show!

Celebration of Breyer I

Start Date: January 2025

For: Traditional Scale Breyers

Type: Photoshow

Sections: Breed, Workmanship (Colour), Performance & Collectability

Hosting Site: OMHPS

Our first show is for Traditional scale Breyer horses. It is already live on OMHPS so please go check it out. Entries do not open until next Monday but if you have a spare five minutes and want to check none of the classes have obvious errors on their restrictions whilst we still have time to update it I know I would really appreciate it! (I already found one...)

Because I amended it it has gone back for approval but once approve this link should work: https://www.omhps.com/Show/Details/ed49fd85-4c10-4ab7-9a63-2afb3778f73e

Celebration of Breyer II

Start Date: May 2025

For: Other Scale Breyers (Classic, Paddock Pal, Mini Whinnie & Foals)

Type: Photoshow

Sections: Breed, Workmanship (Colour), Performance & Collectability

Hosting Site: OMHPS

Our middle show is very much our everything else show, this mops up all the other scales and will mainly be for Classic, Paddock Pal and Mini Whinnie models. We will select all scales apart from Traditional & Stablemate though so if you have any weird scale Gallery models they can also go in here!

This show will open in May and will be link and announce when it does

Celebration of Breyer Live

Date: August 2025

For: Breyer Horses

Type: Live Show

Sections: Traditional, Stablemate, Mini Whinnie, Other Scales, Collectability, Custom Breyer

Location: Gloucestershire

This Breyer only live show will be held in our usual hall in Gloucestershire. We will have sections for Traditional scale models, Stablemate scale models, Other scales (mainly Classic & Paddock Pal but also other oddities and the 1:6 scale foals), Collectability and Custom Breyers. 

Celebration of Breyer III

Start Date: September 2025

For: Stablemate

Type: Photoshow

Sections: Breed, Workmanship (Colour), Performance & Collectability

Hosting Site: OMHPS

The final photoshow of the year will be for Stablemate scale models. It will run the same class list as the previous shows but will be just for Stablemate scale models.

In December we will also pick our favourite champion of the year. We will go through all of the champions from each show (live and photo) and the winner will receive an extra special prize :)

We will forward to seeing you in 2025 and seeing all of your awesome Breyer horses. Make sure to follow our Blog & social media for more updates.