Soldano

Breyer have announced the 2027 BreyerFest Celebration Horse, Soldano

Soldano is a beautiful blue roan on the Murgese Stallion mould

I actually really like this guy, it's been a while since there's been a celebration horse that I really liked (maybe the last one was Athenian Lady) but this guy is really pretty, and I do love the mould.

BreyerFest tickets normally go on sale in the new year.

Luca & Better Fresco Pics

Let's start with my favourite of the two new Breyer announcements. This is Luca who will be a Breyer 2027 Stablemate Club release

I absolutely love him, of course I'm a sucker for any model that has plaits so obviously I'm going to like him, but isn't he the cutest little model?

Secondly Breyer have released some better images of Fresco who is a Breyer 2027 Premier Club release. He is a partbred Arabian sculpted by Rayvin Maddock

Interested to see what he looks like in person, he's not my kind of model but he's a nice addition to the Breyer Traditional range.

2027 Premier Club Sneak Peak

This was a little bit hidden on the Breyer Collector's Club page but if you seek you will find!

Breyer have shown a sneak peak of a 2027 Premier Club model. Meet Fresco who will be part of the Breyer 2027 Premier Club

I can't wait to see the rest of the offering for this year. What are your prediction as to what we'll be offered? Let me know below!

Premier club membership is not yet open but Collector's Club membership is so get signed up ready for membership to open!

Breyer 2027 Collector's Club

Collector's Club membership for 2027 is now open on the Breyer website and we've got the opportunity to see three gorgeous new models.

I'm going to start with a really cool new addition to the range. I absolutely love that we are now seeing more pegasus models in Stablemate scale, it adds more variety to the fantasy range and is a cool variation on some existing moulds.

So let's start with the 2027 Deluxe Collector's Club model, Petrichor

As you can see he is available in a horse or pegasus variation. The really nice thing is that it is not gambler's choice. When you buy your membership you can choose whether you want the horse or the pegasus. Do make sure to make your selection before you checkout.

Let me know which one you are going to choose below and why it is the pegasus.

Secondly, we have a sneak peak of a 2027 Collector's Club special run.

This is Felicity a 2027 Collector's Club special run. This is a lovely bay blanket spotted on the Riding Pony mould. I love this girl, I mean she has plaits, what is not to love? Definitely going to be adding this one to my herd.

Membership is now open, so make sure to sign up ready for the opening of the Premier, Vintage and Stablemate clubs soon!

Crackers Went on Holiday (Again)

Greetings human followers tis I Crackers your much beloved Julip. I am here, yet again, to tell you of my travels. I have just returned from my second trip to the great nation of Canada, home of the maple syrup (so hard to get out of your mane) and the poutine (so hard to get out of your mane). This year we took the small human with us, I'd never travelled with the small human before and frankly I found it quite annoying. It makes a lot of noise and seems to get far more food than I do which I found completely unreasonable.

My adventures started, as they so often do, at an airport. I am not a fan of airports as they usually require me to be stuffed into an unreasonably cramped hand luggage bag against my will. This time was no different. Pushed up against a cuddly frog who quite frankly was not a very good conversationalist, x-rayed against my consent, and then forced to spend the flight in an overhead locker because there was "no seat in front". An insult to my dignity. Note how the tiny human got her own bed and how I have never been offered such luxuries.

When we arrived the humans seemed rather stressed. Apparently not being able to find ones "Air BnB" and then discovering it didn't have a lockable door and was dirty was a problem? I'd like to point out that at no point has anyone ever offered me a lock on my stable door and there are frequently cobwebs, spiders and dead flies in there and nobody seems to care. I did feel a little bad for the existing horse occupant though who didn't have any roof on his shelter and seemed a little unhappy about that fact when it rained.

The next day this was a problem that needed solving according to the humans so I went to the different humans "Air BnB" (still no idea what that is, looked like a house to me) and had a look around. There were some lovely views of what I am told is the Ottawa river and lots of pretty trees. I must say the trees in Canada are far superior to the trees back home, lots more colours. Eventually the humans seemed to have solved this apparent crisis and we got to FINALLY EAT SOME FOOD. Of course I had to have some poutine so we headed to the cheese place to get some. The problem with poutine is that one does tend to get gravy in one's mane which is very annoying and took me ages to wash out.

We then arrived at our new accommodation which was very nice. They had flowers in a pot but I promptly discovered that these were fake when I tried to eat them. Who has fake flowers? Very strange. Anyway, I got an entire bed to myself which was AMAZING and completely unheard of in my previous travels so I did feel that things had improved quite a lot.

Day 2 of my adventures and we headed to a place called Lachute for a market. It was a boring market, no horses and the humans wouldn't buy me a massive bag of carrots. Awful start to the day. We then went to Park Omega to see some animals. I am always confused as to why the humans want to see animals when they can just see me but alas they do not always appreciate my great beauty. We saw many an animal but the highlight for me was to meet some Przwalskii horses. I did find them a little rude, pushing their heads in, demanding carrots (did I mention WE DID NOT HAVE CARROTS). I did appreciate that the wolves and bears were not by the car as I hear they eat horses and I prefer to eat rather than be eaten.

Day 3 and we headed "into the mountains". Frankly I've seen better mountains but whatever. When there we visited a sanctuary to Our Lady of Lourdes. At the real Lourdes you can be healed of your ailments but apparently that is not the case here and so I couldn't get my bag legs healed. I have mentioned to the human that maybe I need to see a vet about this but she says I'm being melodramatic and what do I expect when I'm over 20 years old and get carted around in a bag all the time.

Day 4 and the human decided they would visit a place called Cornwall. Apparently this is not the same Cornwall as is in England because I got very confused and couldn't understand why we would come all the way to Canada just to see somewhere that is in England. It was very different from real Cornwall as well. Firstly, there were no nice beaches and secondly I was not provided with a single cream tea. Most disappointing. I did get to see 'America' though which was across the river. It looked exactly the same as Canada so I'm not entirely sure what all the hype was about. Whilst there we visited a dam visitor's centre (honestly these humans will really do anything if it's free). I learned more about dams than I have ever wished to know. Frankly, I am thinking of installing one in my water trough just to punish the humans for dragging me around this ridiculous place. We then visited the Museum of Cornwall. Frankly, I think you need to do a bit more than have a few soldiers and a lot of dead people to have a museum but who am I to judge. Maybe I'm still just bitter about the lack of cream teas. 

Day 5 and we headed to a place called Ottawa to see a nuclear bunker. Again, the humans will literally do anything (this one wasn't even free). I had never been so far underground before so that was a new experience. It is pretty much the same as above ground but there is no grass and a lot of things about the whole of the planet being destroyed, which was a bit depressing. I got to see some nuclear bombs (these are apparently bad things that kill horses) and also a giant vault that is supposed to have lots of gold in it but actually didn't have any gold in it so I couldn't even steal some and go back to buy those carrots. Afterwards we went to a Farming and Agriculture Museum. This excited me as I was sure there would be food and carrots here. There was not. 0/10. I did get to meet a Newfoundland Pony and asked him why he was so small when the dogs are so big but got told off by the human because apparently it is rude to make comments about someone's height. There was also a man who had cats in his car which was very peculiar indeed. Cats live in stables, not cars. So strange. One of the other horses had apparently been in the police and I don't trust the coppers so I ignored him.

Day 6 and 7 were VERY BORING. The humans went to visit 'family'. Frankly I do not see the point, I haven't seen my mother since I was 6 months old and never even met my father so I do not know the point. There was, however, a lot of food so that was very good. I even got to eat some more poutine. In the evening of the Saturday the humans got big ice creams from DQ (and let me have some) and then watched some very weird Canadian television. I've never watched competitive stone skipping before, not sure I would again.

Day 8 and we headed to the Museum of War. I guess this like the Imperial War Museum but with a more intimidating title. We arrived and got to go underground again (I'm basically a hobbit at this point) before entering the museum. A more depressing subject for a museum I could not imagine. Send me back to the farm museum at least that had cows. It baffles me why the humans insist on always trying to kill each other all the time. I mean I can't stand Firefly but I'm not sure I'd put him in a trench and shoot at him with a gun, that seems a bit over the top.

Day 9 was our final full day here in Canada. Today the humans took me to the History Museum. It had a lot of totem poles which were very big and that was quite fun to look at. I learned a lot about how the first nations peoples used to live and then I learned how the other humans killed them all and destroyed their way of life (again with the killing). 

And that was it, my first holiday in quite some time. Was nice to let my mane down and experience some good fresh Canadian air (although there is a new funny smell in the towns...). I look forward to reporting back again in future but until then, safe travels and don't forget to buy your horses more carrots.

Crackers x

I Tried to Paint Dapples but I'd Never Seen a Horse Before

On Saturday we went for a day out to Snowshill Manor, on the way home we stopped to visit a village fete and there was a little toy shop so we went in. I was slightly distracted by some lovely wooden toys when I heard Brendon say "O know Schleich". Having vetoed all the Marwari foals as being too marked I had a look at the other models and came across this absolute beauty:

In a way I actually regret buying him, he is just so awful. I can't even. Good attempt, but you definitely missed the mark on this one Schleich (quite literally as I assume the placement of the template was meant to be over the barrel and not into the quarters)!

Anyway I thought you'd all enjoy this little found in the wild beauty. Have a lovely Monday :)

Ten Tips to Create an Organised Collection

Are you a disorganised mess? Do you have model horses coming out of your ears? Is there a rosette in every corner and a pile of certificates on every surface? Then are you sure you're not me? Ha ha ha just joking everything is super *cough* organised here. Well today we will be following the wise words of do as I say and not as I do and I am going to be sharing ten tips to keep your collection organised.

1. Create a Spreadsheet

The first step to an organised collection is an organised spreadsheet. I have written lots of guides on how to create a spreadsheet to catalogue your models (there's even a YouTube video if you are one of those people that prefers your tutorials to move) so I'm not going to go back over this in detail here but what I will do is list all the columns I recommend you have:

Original Finish/CTF

• Stable name
• Show name
• Breed
• Colour
• Gender
• Scale
• Make
• Model number
• Model name
• Mould
• Year produced
• Run number
• Face markings
• Leg markings
• Finish
• Year purchased
• Purchase amount
• Value
• Sire
• Dam
• ID number
• Additional items (e.g. a headcollar the model came with)
• Location
• BMECS/NAN qualification (column for each year)
• Show points
• Shows attended
• Average points

Custom Finish/AR

• Stable name
• Show Name
• Breed
• Colour
• Gender
• Scale
• Make
• Artist
• Sculptor (ARC only)
• Mould
• Year painted
• Face markings
• Leg markings
• Year purchased
• Purchase amount
• Value
• Sire
• Dam
• ID number
• Location
• BMECS/NAN qualification (column for each year)
• Show points
• Shows attended
• Average points

I recommend having two separate sets of show points, one for breed and one for workmanship.

2. Catalogue models as they arrive

Stay. On. Top. Of. Your. Cataloguing.

As models arrive make sure they are photographed and catalogued. That way you always know what is in your collection. Also, remember your spreadsheet is also there for insurance purposes should the worst happen, so it is important that new £1000 artist resin gets put on!

3. Use unique ID codes

Give each of your models a unique ID code that can be used to identify them. This is also helpful if this is required for shows and can match the one you use for shows. You can put this ID code on their tag and also use it as the file name under a folder on your computer where you are going to keep one photo of each horse for identification purposes.

4. Write up results the day after the show

Staying on top of show results is so important. Did I write up some show results from a show in October last week? Is it currently September of the following year? Yes. Was this good practice? Absolutely not. Don't be me, be a good model horse collector.

Make a point of allocating time either on the evening after a show or the day after to write up the results. Then file them. Keeping on top of it won't make it feel overwhelming and will mean you have a good consistent record of each horse's winnings.

5. File certificates

File. Your. Certificates. There are two ways you can do this. You could have a file for each year and just throw them all in. This is quick and easy to do but has the disadvantage that if you want to sell that model you cannot easily grab their show results to give to the new owner.

The alternative is to have a wallet for each model in an A4 folder. You can organise them by ID number or alphabetically (I prefer ID number as I don't have to move things around, just add them at the end). In each wallet you can have a slip of paper with their photograph and basic details on (optional) or just a sticker with their ID number in the corner. Put all of their certificates into the folder after each show.

6. Keep models in congas

This seems obvious but it will honestly make your life so much easier if models of the same type are kept together. Keeping models in congas doesn't just look aesthetically pleasing it also helps you to easily find models when you need to pack them for shows.

7. Use a storage reference system

If you are having to store your models in boxes rather than shelves then make sure you have a storage reference system so you know where everyone is. Number each box and keep a list of which horses are in that box. You can add this to your spreadsheet but could also print it out and put it on the lid of the box. You can get these clever QR code stickers now that you can stick on boxes and scan to see what's in them, I've not tried them but I get the adverts all the time, so maybe you could try that and feedback to say whether they are actually any good?

8. Organise your tack and accessories

Organisation isn't just about your horses, it is about your tack and accessories as well. Keep sets in their own boxes with clear labels so you know exactly what is in each box. With spare pieces keep them organised by type, for example I have a box for English Tack as well as having each of my English tack sets in separate boxes. When you go to shows you can just take the boxes you need. You can even use slightly larger boxes to make sure you have the doll and props stored with the correct tack set as well.

Finally, catalogue your tack, dolls and props! If you're spending £200 on a custom doll you want that catalogued, it has value and you will want to make sure it is all in order for insurance purposes, in case the worst happens.

9. Write results down at shows

You're at a show, you're busy, you're running around like a headless chicken because for some reason the show host has decided to put workmanship and custom finish on at the same time and then has asked you to judge the OF section at the same time as well?!??! Anyway. Despite this chaos make sure you write down your results, because although you think you'll remember honestly you are not going to remember who got what placing. If you don't have time to write names on the back of certificates add a column to your show list spreadsheet for placings, then you just need to write down a number very quickly. Keep on top of this and it will save you having to go through a million pictures when you get home to find out who placed where.

10. Back. Everything. Up

No system is fool proof. Everything can fail. So make sure you have a backup of at least your spreadsheet of all your models. As a general rule everything that matters should exist in three formats (1) Digitally saved to a desktop (2) Digitally saved to the Cloud (3) Physically. Regularly back up the important desktop files to the cloud or download them from the cloud onto a hard drive. You should also regularly back up your computer to an external hard drive. I also recommend having a physical backup. Print out your spreadsheet, get physical copies of your photos. We rely so much on technology we forget that it could all be wiped out in an instant. That is much harder to do with physical items. But physical items can also be wiped out, so make sure there is a digital backup in case of house fires or similar!

And on that note, I'm going to back up my Massive Horse Spreadsheet because I haven't done it in ages!

What tips do you have for keeping your collection organised? I'd love to see them below.