Saturday, 24 November 2018
Model Horse Collection Tour 22/11/2018
For the first time in years I've got my entire model horse collection together so of course we had to do a collection tour!
Apologies for the lighting, I have the windows blocked in the pony room. Windows take up valuable pony shelf space! Also the lights in this house are pretty awful. I think we need a new light fitting for this room at some point so I can actually see what I'm doing!
Anyway I hope you enjoy it :D See if you can spot any of your favourites or maybe some models you painted or sold to me, who knows what I have in the depths of my collection (honestly half the time even I don't know)!
Friday, 23 November 2018
Black Friday Boxes are Now Available
This year we are not running our usual black friday sale. Instead we are offering ten specially created Black Friday boxes.
Each box contains a Breyer Traditional, one custom and at least three other items.
The cost of each box is £50.00 and you will receive at least £75.00 worth of products.
There are only ten boxes available so you will have to be quick! To order please visit: https://www.ukmodelhorses.com/store/p200/Black_Friday_Mystery_Box.html#/
This blog post was written by Catriona Harris, owner of Chestnut Ridge and model horse fanatic.
Wednesday, 21 November 2018
Rockford
I can't believe I forgot to share this guy with you!
Rockford is the first release in the Breyer 2019 Vintage Club (which is now open for new memberships if you want to sign up). To sign up visit Breyer's website here.
I really like this guy! But sadly don't have enough to sign up this year. I may look for him on the second hand market though.
Wish and Wonder
I'm really hoping that Breyer do the collector day thing in December when you need to spend over $150 and get a special horse again.
Why?
Because I need an excuse to get this amazing pair! Introducing the Breyer 2018 Christmas Web Special mare and foal set:
They are priced at $49.95 and can be purchased from Breyer's website here.
And not only do you get a stunning Misty and Stormy set in two beautiful colours you also get this really beautiful bag to keep them in!
Am I in love? Yes. Yes I am!
Pre-Show Routine
As the nights draw in and we all settle down for the winter break I thought I would share with you my pre-live show routine. I mean because you should totally be prepping for the 2019 show season already shouldn't you?
Two Weeks Prior
Most show holders will ask for a judging list at least a week beforehand. As a general rule I get mine sent in after the previous show or a few weeks before.
So the first task is to write my list. I have my own little system for doing this, starting with all new models, then my show string and then 10 random horses for each section (5 for smaller sections such as performance or workmanship).
If there are sections for customs and resins I usually also choose 10 random classes to enter and then paint models to fit those classes.
Once my list is done I send in a list of classes I can judge to the show host. My new life resolution is to make sure I actually do this in reasonable time before each show! I know I always moan at people or not doing this and I am totally guilty of it.
Over the remaining weeks before the show I'll work on those customs I mentioned, its rare I get all of them finished (especially during the show season where I have shows every weekend) but I usually manage to get at least one done.
Minotaur is an example of a pre-show painted model. He was painted to take to Dartmoor Live 2018.
The Week Before
The week before the show I have a really long list of things to do! But first of is the most important thing to do is of course to PACK!
I will usually pack a couple of days prior but it depends on my own schedule and things I have to do. Doing it a couple of days before gives me to time to deal with any last minute emergencies such as broken bridles or rubs that need fixing up. Sometimes I don't have any choice but to pack the day before but I try not to!
Once I've packed I also finish off my list with all the information needed, such as show names and a brief description of each horse so I know who is who!
I then also pack up all the extras I need, these usually live in my live show kit but I do like to check I have everything before each show and usually tidy up a bit as I tend to just shove everything back into the case on show days!
Finally I usually do an advert a few days before announcing any show special offers and also asking anyone if they want me to bring any specific with me for sale.
This is a snippet of a show list from Dartmoor Live 2018 showing the different columns and information I include. You can download a template of this for free here.
The Day Before
The day before is final prep time! There is usually a fair amount of stuff left to do (it's amazing how much needs to be done for a show).
So firstly I pack up any horses that I painted especially for the show (usually I will have left a few to the last minute)! Many of them have gloss drying up until the evening before a show!
I also need to make sure my camera is ready, so I clean the memory card of all the pictures that are currently on it (otherwise I end up with about 4 shows worth of pictures and can't remember which ones are from which show). I then also put it on charge and put the memory card in. One thing I always do is leave the battery compartment open and my camera on top of my boxes, that reminds me to grab the battery on the morning of the show! I also put my card reader on charge for a bit so that we accept card payments on the day of the show.
Now of course there is one important thing that needs doing the day before the show and that is baking! I try to bake something different for each show and if possible theme it for the particular show. Sometimes it is just really simple cupcakes but occasionally I create something far more creative (and usually a lot less successful).
The day before I also pack my show sales, this is usually two boxes of CollectA and Schleich plus a few boxed Breyers and hobby supplies. I make sure to pack anything that people have specifically requested. I also make a little sign advertising any show special offers.
I then make sure I've packed all the extra things I need such as my camera, card reader and cash box! I also make sure my list is printed and with the rest of my stuff. O and I've got the baking as well of course!
Finally the last thing to pack is a raffle prize. When I have time I create something specific for the show that is themed. But quite often I just have to grab something random as I've run out of time.
The final task is to plan my journey. So I find the location, see how long is it going to take and set my alarm for the morning.
And that's it! I'm all done and ready for the show. I normally panic, double check the date and time at like 10pm the night before, because obviously I will have got the wrong date.
Baking the day before is obviously really important!
Show Morning
On show morning it should be a case of simply packing the car. Sometimes I'll have left things to charge over night so need to make sure these are packed.
We usually get up an hour before we need to leave. That gives us time to let the dog out for a bit and pack up the car (which takes a surprisingly long time)!
Once everything is packed (and I'm sure I have my camera) we set the sat nav and head off, via Starbucks of course, because I cannot show until I've had my coffee and bacon roll!
If you want to download your own pre-show checklist I've created one here, feel free to download, print off or copy it into any other checklist program:
This blog post was written by Catriona Harris, owner of Chestnut Ridge and model horse fanatic.
Monday, 19 November 2018
Current For Sale Customs
Honestly you can't go wrong with a custom as a Christmas gift! Guaranteed not to already have the model, it's cute and adorable, it makes it look like you listen...
Anyway here are the custom model horses that are currently for sale at Chestnut Ridge. All of these were painted by me within the last four months.
Please check the images carefully for scale and condition.
If you have any questions just drop me a message :) Hopefully I should be back painting soon and will have more listed promptly (I did have one that was nearly finished but someone let the cat in the painting room....).
Causation
Price: £25.00
Causation is a lovely custom G4 Mustang to a light black. He has lots of depth of colour with subtle shading throughout.
Cavatina
Price: £25.00
Cavatina is a light bay G3 Tennessee Walking Horse. As well as a lovely coat colour she also has a beautiful green and dark green ribbon.
Chali
Price: £16.00
Chali is so tiny and so adorable! She is a custom mini whinnie foal and has been painted to chestnut with white socks. This little girl is smaller than a 2p coin.
Change The World
Price: £25.00
I do love a good liver chestnut! This is a lovely G2 Arabian in a dark liver chestnut with heavy white markings.
Certainty
Price: £25.00
Certainty is one of two bay reiners we have for sale. Am I certain? I can definitely say that with Certainty. Well unless one of them has sold of course...
Chances
Price: £25.00
Chances is the second of the bay G4 Reiners we have for sale. Will you take a chance on him?
Centralised Enforcement
Price: £25.00
Centralised Enforcement is another custom G4 Mustang. This one is a lovely rich dark bay with a white star on his head.
Changes
Price: £25.00
Changes is another liver chestnut that I just adore. This one is on the G3 Peruvian Paso mould and has a white sock and white stripe. He even has some subtle dappling if you look closely.
Centerfold
Price: £25.00
I am honestly surprised this beautiful girl hasn't been snapped up yet! Centerfold is a lovely rich chestnut pinto on the G3 Warmblood mould.
Celestial Deconstruction
Price: £25.00
This is one of those models that I would buy just for the name alone. But he will also make a lovely show piece. A solid black on the popular G4 Chrome (Andalusian) mould.
Chasing Cars
Price: £24.00
Look its something that isn't a Stablemate! Normally the Schleich and CollectA customs get snapped up within minutes so I'm surprise this guy is still here. Maybe it's because I like him? My tastes never seem to be the same as others!
Chain Reaction
Price: £25.00
Chain Reaction is a lovely light grey G3 Arabian stallion. He has a little bit of pink on his nose and subtle shading.
Celebration Day
Price: £25.00
Last but by no means least is this lovely bright chestnut G3 Tennessee Walking Horse. This model has gorgeous shading and a really pretty light and dark purple ribbon which contrasts beautifully with his chestnut coat.
This blog post was written by Catriona Harris, owner of Chestnut Ridge and model horse fanatic.
Unboxing the Oldies
So on Friday I moved back home and with me came several boxes of model horses that have been living at my parents house for quite some time. These guys haven't really been anywhere but on a shelf for over 4 years! So I apologise if they appear dusty :p They will get a proper dust at some point I promise!
Anyway I thought I would introduce you to some of my favourites from the ones I've already unboxed. I've got about four boxes left so we are getting there slowly! Once they are all unboxed I will do a collection tour video as I haven't done one of those in ages (and its the first time the whole collection will be together in over 4 years) :D
P.S. I'm running really low on shelf space. Someone nag my husband to put up more shelves for me please :p
First up we have Apollo one of the Treasure Hunt Silvers. One thing I am really looking forward to is having all the Silvers together again! I need to get back into working on my conga (once I've got hold of a Sonorah for my Bobby Jo conga of course).
Secondly we have another silver, this time Matrix. I always liked this model despite the fact he's quite simple looking.
As well as lots of Breyers there were also several of my childhood horses. Including this grey four horse gift set. Unfortunately, the plastic on three of them had snapped :( Frost survived though!
This guy was my first ever Breyer Traditional. It's Hidalgo on the Silver mould. Yep, the Silevr addiction started early!
Speaking of addictions...this is Jameson, one of my many many many Equorum Shetland Foals. This is one of my "picked up for a few pounds on eBay" foals. I have waaaay too many black ones...
Now two more adorable cuties. I mean how could you not love these little baby My Little Ponies? They are just the cutest things!
I've also brought over my Ethereal Collection. So far I've unboxed Water and Wind. Water is by far my favourite of the two so he is the one I've chosen to share. He's a dapply one!
Pine is one of my vintage woodgrains. I got this little guy in a selection of vintage models I bought from the USA in 2014 just before we moved into our old house. He would have been one of the last to be unboxed and shelved at my parents.
Little Bub is a Sherman Morgan, he looks quite ugly on the shelf but his show name is Hidden Beauty because when photographed there is just something rather stunning about him. I don't feel that way about any of my other Sherman Morgans but this guy, this guy is stunning.
I honestly don't think a collection is complete without Cupid and Arrow. The sad part is that Arrow has been living with the main collection. I would say they are reunited but they are on different shelves. They can look at each other at least.
Craig is one of my glossy Treasure Hunt Wintersongs. I still don't have the full set...I'm still missing that glossy chestnut!
Finally Diamond. I nagged Brendon to get me this one for years and he never did. Eventually I just bought myself one on eBay. He really doesn't take hints. You know this model has real diamond dust in its finish? Pretty cool!
I hope you enjoyed that :D I'll get some more pics up over the next few days and hopefully by the weekend I'll have everyone unboxed and I can do a full collection tour! Watch out now I've found my GoPro you're going to be harassed with videos :p
This blog post was written by Catriona Harris, owner of Chestnut Ridge and model horse fanatic.
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