Updates

First of all apologies that I haven't been blogging much recently (bad me).

So here is a ridiculously long blog post with loooooooads of updates :)

Catalogues

You can view the electronic version of our 2017 catalogue here: http://www.chestnutridge.co.uk/2017-catalogue-92-w.asp

If you would like a printed version drop me an email at catriona@chestnutridge.co.uk with your address. They are due to be delivered Friday so should get shipped out Monday to those who want them.

Pre-Orders

We have so many horses on pre-order on the website at the moment it is getting a little ridiculous! You can pre-order the Breyer, Schleich and CollectA 2017 range.

You can also pre-order some new Breyer items that are joining us next week, including Austin the Cowboy, Picasso and some discounted sets (such as Picasso & Van Gogh).

Breyer 2017 Range

The Breyer 2017 range is in the country and should be with us next week. There are a few that haven't come in but here is the full list of products that will be coming:

Espresso
Fantasia Del C and Gozosa
Paint me a Pepto
Hwin
Paint Your Own Farm
Horse Fantasy Paint Set
Western Play Set
Western Horse & Riders
Spring Creek stable
Kaitlyn Cowgirl
Palomino Morgan
Bay Pinto Pony
Grey Arabian
Chestnut Sport Horse
Bay Appaloosa Mustang
Hilltop Stable
Paint & Play Sets
Paint Your Own Horse - Quarter Horse & Saddlebred
Palomino Quarter Horse & Foal
Chestnut Arabian Horse & Foal
Grey Sport Horse & Foal
Starry Night
Forthwind
Bella
English Horse & Riders
Picasso
Rhapsody in Black
Cortes C
BHR Byrants Jake
Brunello
Xavier
Van Gogh
Austin

That's quite a long list! Some of these are nearly sold out so if you are planning on pre-ordering I would recommend doing it sooner rather than later :p So head on over to www.chestnutridge.co.uk to order!

If you have already pre-ordered once we have a confirmed delivery date we will contact you to let you know x

Live Show Updates

The following shows are sold out:

OMG Orange Other OF & Newcommers Live
Majestic Minty Mini Live
Perfect Purple Plastic OF Live

The rest of the shows have spaces, including Crimson Coral which is in a few weeks. Just drop me an email if you would like to book a space :)


I hope you stuck with those updates! I'm going to end with a sneak peak of the Crimson Coral Certificates, enjoy :D

Follow Chestnut Ridge on Social Media

If you use social media then you must follow Chestnut Ridge :)

We have a variety of accounts and on each one you can find really cool behind the scenes pics, special offers and updates and previews of our products!

You could also enter competitions and promotions and win some model horse goodies!

It's definitely worth following :) And don't forget to share with your friends as well, the more the merrier :)

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/chestnutridgemodels/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chestnutridgemodelhorses/

Google +  - https://plus.google.com/u/0/+CatrionaHarrisModelHorses

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJJ5eX7A89wM7BMVdxo5Egw

Twitter  - https://twitter.com/ChestnutRidge1

Pinterest  - https://uk.pinterest.com/catrionahorses/

Go on....take a look :)

O and because it wouldn't be fair not to give you a sneak peak, Austin the cowboy will be joining the Chestnut Ridge family this year:

CollectA 2017 Range

CollectA have released their 2017 e Catalogue. Which makes for a wonderful flick through.

We've already blogged about the new horses, but it's interesting to note a few new mare and foal sets that I haven't seen before! A gorgeous black Percheron is featured in one of them (these are towards the back of the catalogue).

We will be placing our order in a few weeks, but if there are any horses (or other animals) you would like to see please just get in touch.

The full catalogue is here: http://www.collecta.biz/catalogue/files/assets/common/downloads/publication.pdf

And here is a non-equine highlight from the 2017 range, isn't he gorgeous?

BreyerFest 2017 Horses

Well the celebration horse was leaked a few week back (and frankly it was never going to be anything other than a Marwari) but here he is:



Nazruddin is on the Traditional Marwari mould and is GORGEOUS!

And the Early Bird Raffle model has also been revealed, Sakkar

Corral Pals

Ever since Reeves Intl bought CollectA people have been pondering whether they would be added to the Breyer line.

There was a bit of a hint in JAH that this would be the case and it appears today we have conformation that Breyer are using some of the CollectA models as part of a new line called 'Corral Pals'.

The good news is that CollectA still exists as a separate brand, Reeves have clearly made a very savvy move in selling the items under both brands. CollectA is incredibly popular and has a huge following, Breyer can obviously trade off their existing customer base. It effectively adds to the customer base for the existing CollectA products.

You can find the horses they have chosen to add here:

http://www.breyerhorses.com/corral-pals-horse-collection

It is worth noting that they are all the 1:24 scale horses and they are all the McDermott sculptures. Also the new 2017 CollectA horses are not there.

They have also added some animals:

http://www.breyerhorses.com/corral-pals-farm-animals-collection

http://www.breyerhorses.com/corral-pals-cats-and-dogs-collection

It will be interesting to see how these are branded (will they, for example, still have the CollectA name under the belly from the mould?).

It will also be interesting to see whether these are available internationally to dealers and what the pricing and pack sizes are like.

We will of course continue to stock CollectA horses, we will be placing our 2017 range order soon. Whether we stock the Corral Pals will depend on whether they are available and whether the prices/pack sizes are better than those offered by CollectA. Obviously it makes no sense to stock the same model twice! But no reason why both ranges cannot join our every growing herd :)

Amusingly some of the items chosen are the really scary animals (they haven't gone with the possessed cat but I always find this guy a bit creepy):

Time to Celebrate!

Hello everyone and Happy New Year!



2017 is a bit of a special year here at Chestnut Ridge. That's because this year is officially our 10th anniversary (I know scary right?)

Now it wouldn't be a 10th anniversary without a serious party, so here are all the awesome things I have planned for 2017!

Monthly Giveaways

Each month we will be running a 'like and share' contest on Facebook. There will be a new prize each month and each one will be extra special.

I can reveal that this months giveaway is Smokin Doubledutch

(I can also sneakily tell you that next month is Glitterati)

You can find our Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/chestnutridgemodels/

The prizes for the following months could be anything from more Breyers we've found at the bottom of the store room, to painted customs and resins and maybe even a BF special run? Who knows!

Birthday Photoshow

This year we will be running our Grand Photoshow again but with a special birthday twist.

This will run over the Summer and more details will be announced nearer the time.

Birthday Postal Show

Towards the end of the year we will be running our extra special birthday postal show.

This show will be open to all and for entries via email or post. More details will be revealed nearer the time.

Customer of the Month

Each month we will pick one customer at random (this is anyone who has placed an order at www.chestnutridge.co.uk throughout that month) and give them our extra special customer of the month award!

They will receive a rosette, certificate and model horse prize.

Cantering Carousel

Of course it wouldn't be a birthday without a birthday party would it?

This August we are running our second ever massive ridiculous OTT live show. It really has taken me this long to get over Glitz & Glamour (that show was nearly the end of me).

So naturally I'm doing it again and it is going to be BIGGER AND BETTER THAN EVER!

You can find out more information here: http://www.chestnutridge.co.uk/cantering-carousel-2017-103-w.asp

As well as a large live show there will also be exclusive models, demonstration tables and some great games. There are even BF special runs for the raffle. How cool is that?

Make sure to book your tickets! They are selling out fast!

Other Things Going On This Year

Monthly Photoshows

We will be continuing our monthly photoshows.

For 2017 we have slightly changed the age categories which I think should hopefully give people more of a chance and also increase entries to the lower age range.

You can find out full information here: http://www.chestnutridge.co.uk/warmblood-photoshow-94-w.asp

Colours of the Rainbow Lives

Back for 2017 are the Colours of the Rainbow Lives. These shows are being held throughout the year between February-July every 4 weeks.

Each show has a different theme and colour. I'm afraid to say that Purple & Green are already sold out but there are still spaces at the rest of the shows if you would like to come along.

You can find full information here: http://www.chestnutridge.co.uk/2017-live-shows-98-w.asp

Lah Di Dah Live III

Yep apparently this is happening again too :)

For a very British (and Irish) day out with lots of cake and cream teas and some beautiful horses you should definitely come along.

Lah Di Dah is held in October and makes a nice end to the show season.

More information can be found here: http://www.chestnutridge.co.uk/2017-live-shows-98-w.asp

Themed Monthly Competition

Just has we have done previously we will be running a competition each month depending on that months theme.

We will announce the competition on Facebook each month so definitely make sure to follow us here: https://www.facebook.com/chestnutridgemodels/

This month the competition will be held on Instagram. For more information check out our Instagram account here: https://www.instagram.com/chestnutridgemodelhorses/



Well that was a lot of text! We have loads of other awesome things planned for the year. If you have any suggestions of things you would like to see or changes you'd like to see us make then we are always open to them. Just drop us an email at catriona@chestnutridge.co.uk

Have a wonderful bank holiday Monday :) And make sure to stick to those New Year's Resolutions! New Year, New Ponies and all that :p

10 Model Horse New Years Resolutions

It's the new year which means we should all set unachievable goals that we will never keep...

But how about instead we set some achievable ones? Here are 10 model horse New Years Resolutions that we should all be able to keep.

1. Buy what you love

This one may sound strange but I think it's a good resolution. Don't just buy it because you think it will show well, or because others are buying it. Focus on spending your money on horses you love. Who cares what others think?



2. Finish those UFOs!

What's at the bottom of your body box? Or should I not ask? A brilliant resolution is to finish off those unfinished projects before starting any new ones. Open that body box and dig out those victims!



3. Learn a new skill

Always wanted to airbrush? Or know how to make tack? Whatever it is you are interested in find some online tutorials, get those supplies in and learn something new!



4. Show more

It doesn't have to be at live shows, why not try your hand at photoshowing or postal showing? Organise your show string and get involved.



5. Get organised

Whether it is sorting out those pedigrees or just your basic records, get organised! Develop a good cataloguing system and stick to it. Organise your tack, show results and everything else. Start 2017 off well with good organisation :D



6. Try something new

Why not try something new with your model horses? Never taken part in a postal show? Always wanted to create pedigrees? Too scared to try performance? Find something new, however unusual and give it a go!



7. Give something back

Give something back to the hobby we all love. Whether it's being an admin on a forum, running your own show series or volunteering at a local live show. Giving something back to the hobby helps make it better for everything.



8. Have some fun

Why so serious? Have some fun with the hobby! Create a photostory, play with your horses, create your own stables and yard. Have fun with your horses and enjoy yourself :)



9. Share the love

Is there an artist who you absolutely adore? Or a company who have been nothing than brilliant? Why not share the love and encourage others to buy from them. If you love something someone is doing then share them, shout about them and get others to love them like you do!



10. Reorganise

Tidy those shelves. Organise your tack boxes and make more space! You'll be amazed the amount of space you can create by reorganising your shelves!