Sunday, 3 August 2025

The Sea, The Sea and the Model Horse

Did you know that I have themes and systems for naming my model horses? You didn't? Well now you do! With over 2,500 models it can be very hard to come up with new stable and show names for each model so finding themes or systems to use has made life a lot easier. One of my favourite themes is books by my favourite authors. One of those is Iris Murdoch. So today I thought I would share with you all of my models named after Iris Murdoch novels.

Make sure to let me know which is your favourite Murdoch work in the comments below. I suppose you could also just let me know which your favourite model is as well! You never know they might match!

Under The Net


Show Name: CRS Under the Net
Stable Name: Ronny
Make: Breyer
Mould: Shire
Artist: Deborah Brown

The Flight From the Enchanter


Show Name: CRS Flight From the Enchanter
Stable Name: Andreus
Make: Breyer
Model: Andreus
Year Produced: 2015

The Sandcastle


Show Name: CRS The Sandcastle
Stable Name: Sandcastle
Make: Breyer
Model: Farm Animals Play Set
Year Produced: 2005-2008

The Bell

Despite this being one of my favourite Murdoch novels I apparently never had a horse called The Bell. I've re-added to my names list so that we can rectify this! I'm glad I did this Blog post and realised the gap.

A Severed Head


Show Name: CRS A Severed Head
Stable Name: Sever
Make: Schleich
Model: Duck
Year Produced: 1999-2010

An Unofficial Rose


Show Name: CRS An Unofficial Rose
Stable Name: Rose
Make: Breyer
Model: Horse Sense 2nd Edition
Year Produced: 2008

The Unicorn


Show Name: CRS The Unicorn
Stable Name: Lion
Make: Breyer
Mould: Roy
Artist: Deborah Brown

The Italian Girl


Show Name: CRS The Italian Girl
Stable Name: Italy
Make: Breyer
Model: Best of British - Shire and Corgi Gift Set
Year Produced: 2015-2017

The Red and the Green


Show Name: CRS The Red and the Green
Stable Name: Romeo
Make: Animal Artistry
Mould: Thoroughbred Stallion

The Time of the Angels


Show Name: CRS The Time of the Angels
Stable Name: Gabriel
Make: Breyer
Mould: Peruvian Paso
Artist: Deborah Brown

The Nice and the Good


Show Name: CRS The Nice and the Good
Stable Name: Denali
Make: Animal Artistry
Mould: Fuzby Foal

Bruno's Dream


Show Name: CRS Bruno's Dream
Stable Name: Bruno
Make: Breyer
Model: Horse Sense 2nd Edition
Year Produced: 2008

A Fairly Honourable Defeat


Show Name: CRS A Fairly Honourable Defeat
Stable Name: Honour
Make: Schleich
Model: Duck
Year Produced: 1999-2010

An Accidental Man

Another apparent missing work!

The Black Prince


Show Name: CRS Black Prince
Stable Name: Edward
Make: Breyer
Model: Stablemates 4-Piece Gift Collection
Year Produced: 2007-2008

The Sacred and Profane Love Machine


Show Name: CRS The Sacred and Profane Love Machine
Stable Name: Smokin' Doubledutch
Make: Breyer
Model: Smokin' Doubledutch
Year Produced: 2015-2016

A Word Child


Show Name: CRS A Word Child
Stable Name: Chatto
Make: Schleich
Model: Ewe
Year Produced: 2014-2019

Henry and Cato

Another missing work, although I do have models called Henry and Cato!

The Sea, The Sea


Show Name: CRS The Sea, The Sea
Stable Name: Cravas
Make: Breyer
Model: Indian Pony
Year Produced: 2013-2015

Nuns and Soldiers


Show Name: CRS Nuns and Soldiers
Stable Name: Guy
Make: Animal Artistry
Mould: Dartmoor Stallion

The Philosopher's Pupil


Show Name: CRS The Philosopher's Pupil
Stable Name: Patrick
Make: Breyer
Model: Best of British Irish Draught
Year Produced: 2015-2017

The Good Apprentice

Another missing one! I didn't do a good job of doing this did I?

The Book and the Brotherhood

And another one....

The Message to the Planet


Show Name: CRS The Message to the Planet
Stable Name: Markus
Make: Breyer
Model: Best of British Shire & Corgi Set
Year Produced:2015-2017

The Green Knight


Show Name: CRS The Green Knight
Stable Name: Knight
Make: Schleich
Model: Tinker Mare
Year Produced: 2015

Jackson's Dilemma


Show Name: CRS Jackson's Dilemma
Stable Name: Snowman
Make: Breyer
Model: Snowman
Year Produced: 2013-

Something Special


Show Name: CRS Something Special
Stable Name: Fabien
Make: Breyer
Model: Fabien
Year Produced: 2015

Sartre: Romantic Rationalist


Show Name: CRS Sartre
Stable Name: Sartre
Make: Animal Artistry
Mould: Dauntless


Show Name: CRS Romantic Realist
Stable Name: Alaria
Make: Animal Artistry
Mould: Fuzby Foal

The Sovereignty of Good


Show Name: CRS The Sovereignty of Good
Stable Name: Sovereign
Make: Breyer
Mould: Rivet
Artist: Deborah Brown

The Fire and the Sun


Show Name: CRS Fire and the Sun
Stable Name: Dahlia
Make: Animal Artistry
Mould: Venus

Metaphysics as a Guide to Morals


Show Name: CRS Metaphysics
Stable Name: Metta
Make: Breyer
Model: Stoneleigh Surprise
Year Produced: 2012

Existentialists and Mystics


Show Name: CRS Existentialist
Stable Name: Sgt. Reckless
Make: Breyer
Model: Sgt. Reckless
Year Produced: 2012-2014

The Three Arrows


Show Name: CRS Three Arrows
Stable Name: Musketeer
Make: CollectA
Mould: Clydesdale Foal
Artist: Deborah Brown

The Servants and the Snow


Show Name: CRS The Servants and the Snow
Stable Name: Severus
Make: Safari
Mould: Dressage Horse
Artist: Deborah Brown

The Servants

I think I decided to not go with this one as I already had The Servants and the Snow

Acastos: Two Platonic Dialogues


Show Name: CRS Acastos
Stable Name: Acastos
Make: Schleich
Model: Head Up Goose
Year Produced: 1984-1988

A Year of Birds


Show Name: CRS A Year of Birds
Stable Name: Poem
Make: Schleich
Model: Head Up Goose
Year Produced: 1984-1988

Poems by Iris Murdoch

Combined with the above one to give the goose a stable name!

I hope you enjoyed this look at all my models with names under a single theme. And I've enjoyed realising that I missed some texts and need to go back and add three more models!


Thursday, 31 July 2025

Personalised Goody Bags Anyone?

Would it really be a show run by me if I didn't go completely extra on the goody bags? Obviously not! This year even by my own standards I have gone a bit extra, that title is correct, this year I have made personalised goody bags for each entrant!

I've used these adorable small tote bags that are the perfect size for a goody bag. I've then used a very simple iron on vinyl for each bag (I know I know the waste THE WASTE, but it was the easiest option). Each bag has a little horse heart design with the entrant's name underneath.

I was so happy with how they turned out. I picked the colours completely at random so I hope people are happy with their colours! I was going to do glitter vinyl but I didn't have enough left to do all the bags and I didn't want some people to have some and others not. Also I desperately need to restick my Cricut mats, thankfully we didn't have any slippage today!

The bags will all be stuffed full of amazing items. We are still waiting on three items to arrive which is why I can't do a full reveal of the contents yet, but don't worry when they arrive I definitely will! They are going to be A-MA-ZING. Trust me.

And the best part? I have enough items to make two more goody bags which means if you book last minute (like now) I can still put you together a bag! Although please don't leave it super last minute as it does take time to get the Cricut out and make the bags!

If you are tempted to get a last minute ticket you can buy them here: https://chestnutridge.co.uk/collections/show-tickets


Wednesday, 30 July 2025

Recycled Live is BACK!

Sometimes you just need to do the thing and yesterday I very much just did the thing! I booked the hall and I can officially say that Recycled Live is back for it's sixth show!

If you've never attended a Recycled Live before they are basically your usual model horse show but with a couple of twists. The first twist is that all the certificates, rosettes and other awards are 'recycled'. So you really won't know what you'll get! We have boxes and boxes of these so I very much knew I had to run the show again in order to use them up! This also means we can keep the entry fee really low as basically the only money we spend is the hall hire, BMECS qualification and some tea, coffee, sugar and bin bags (although in keeping with the show maybe we could avoid all plastic waste this year)!

It is also a British breeds only live show. Remember Lah Di Dah Live? Well this is what it is now! It still has the amazing British breeds only schedule with Performance and UK workmanship as well. This is a great show as it allows you to bring out horses you wouldn't normally bring out. No more trying to squish all your ponies into one British Native class, nope, instead you've got separate classes for all the breeds! No more trying to decide which Welsh to bring, nope, one class for each section! With sections for OF, CM, ARC and CTF you can also show all your horses.

If you want to attend spaces are limited, all the information you need is below but if you don't even want to read that and you're thinking YES PLEASE THIS SOUNDS AWESOME! Then click the link and buy your ticket :D

https://chestnutridge.co.uk/products/recycled-live-vi?search=top-products


Recycled Live V Supreme Champion

Basic Info

Date: 30th November 2025

Location: The Pludds, Ruardean, GL17 9UQ

Doors Open: 8.00am

Start Time: 9.00am

Sections: Original Finish, Custom Finish, Artist Resin/China, CTF, Performance/Fun & UK Workmanship

Contact: competitions@chestnutridge.co.uk

We will be applying for BMECS qualification.

The Cost

Entry Fee: £10.00 + one raffle prize + one item of food/drink

The last two items are mandatory – turn up on the day without them and you will be told where the local shop is and sent on your way to get them!

Please purchase your tickets at: https://chestnutridge.co.uk/products/recycled-live-vi?search=top-products

Entry Terms

(1)   Entry fees are 100% non-refundable under any circumstances – once you have paid you have made a commitment to attend the show

a.      Excess entry fees will be donated to the chosen charity

(2)   Failure to attend (either dropping out last minute, not turning up on the day etc) could result in your place being forfeited at future shows without a refund.

(3)   No deposits or half tables are being offered at this show as the entry fee is quite low!

All entrants will get one full table, please make sure to keep your boxes under your table!

Now onto the more fun bit – please do not let the above put you off, sadly we had a lot of issues last year and we have had to be quite strict, this ensures that the show is full and that everyone who attends wants to be there.


Recycled Live IV Supreme Champion

The Schedule

Original Finish

  1. Anglo-Arab
  2. British Sport Horse/Warmblood
  3. British Spotted Pony
  4. Cleveland Bay
  5. Clydesdale
  6. Cobs
  7. Connemara
  8. Dales
  9. Dartmoor
  10. Eriskay, Kerry Bog & Lundy Pony
  11. Exmoor
  12. Fell
  13. Hackney
  14. Highland
  15. Hunter/Hack
  16. Irish Draught
  17. Irish Sport Horse
  18. New Forest
  19. Riding & Show Pony
  20. Shetland
  21. Shire
  22. Sport Pony & Hunter Pony
  23. Suffolk Punch
  24. Thoroughbred (Traditional)
  25. Thoroughbred (Other Scale)
  26. Welsh A
  27. Welsh B
  28. Welsh C
  29. Welsh D
  30. UK Donkey
  31. Fantasy/Decorator (UK moulds only)
  32. Other Partbred Horse
  33. Other Partbred Pony
  34. Youngstock/Foals

Original Finish Championship

Custom Finish

35. Anglo-Arab
36. British Sport Horse/Warmblood
37. British Spotted Pony
38. Cleveland Bay & Hackney
39. Clydesdale
40. Cobs
41. Connemara & Kerry Bog
42. Dales
43. Dartmoor & Lundy Pony
44. Exmoor
45. Highland & Eriskay
46. Hunter, Hack & Irish Sport Horse
47. Irish Draught
48. New Forest & Fell
49. Riding Pony & Horse
50. Shetland
51. Shire
52. Sport Pony, Show Pony & Hunter Pony
53. Suffolk Punch
54. Thoroughbred
55. Welsh A
56. Welsh B
57. Welsh C
58. Welsh D
59. UK Donkey
60. Fantasy/Decorator (UK moulds only)
61. Other Partbred Horse
62. Other Partbred Pony
63. Youngstock/Foals

Custom Finish Championship

CTF

64. Anglo-Arab
65. British Sport Horse/Warmblood
66. British Spotted Pony
67. Cleveland Bay
68. Clydesdale
69. Connemara
70. Dales
71. Dartmoor
72. Eriskay, Kerry Bog & Lundy Pony
73. Exmoor
74. Feathered Cobs
75. Fell
76. Hackney
77. Highland
78. Hunter/Hack
79. Irish Draught
80. Irish Sport Horse
81. New Forest
82. Non-Feathered Cobs
83. Riding & Show Pony
84. Shetland
85. Shire
86. Sport Pony & Hunter Pony
87. Suffolk Punch
88. Thoroughbred
89. Welsh A
90. Welsh B
91. Welsh C
92. Welsh D
93. UK Donkey
94. Fantasy/Decorator (UK moulds only)
95. Other Partbred Horse
96. Other Partbred Pony
97. Youngstock/Foals

CTF Championship

Artist Resin

To include Animal Artistry models

98. Anglo-Arab & Hackney
99. British Sport Horse & Warmblood
100. British Spotted Ponies
101. Cobs
102. English Ponies
103. Hunter & Hack
104. Irish Draught & Cleveland Bay
105. Irish Ponies
106. Scottish Ponies
107. Thoroughbred
108. UK Heavy Horse
109. Welsh
110. UK Donkey
111. Fantasy/Decorator (UK moulds only)
112. Other Partbred Horse
113. Other Partbred Pony
114. Youngstock/Foals

Artist Resin Championship

Performance & Fun

115. In Hand Showing
116. Ridden Horse & Pony
117. Show Jumping (British/Irish breeds only)
118. Cross Country & Working Hunter (British/Irish breeds only)
119. Racing
120. Hunting
121. Pony Club/Mounted Games/Gymkhana
122. Fancy Dress
123. Other British Performance
124. Scene
125. Recycled Horse

Create a horse out of things you’ve found lying around – maybe something sculpted from wood or a horse out of rubbish! Be creative!

126. Best Body

Bring along a body. It shall be judged. Maybe this should say worst body instead…

127. Model Horse Transformation

Please include reference of what the horse looked like prior to its transformation. Includes both customisation and repair jobs.

128. Vintage

Original and custom finished pieces produced before the year 2000.

129. Other Animal

Any British non-equine

Performance & Fun Championship

UK Workmanship

Custom painted models (including Artist Resins) by British Artists only – these models can be non-British breeds.

130. Bay
131. Black
132. Chestnut
133. Grey
134. Sabino
135. Bay Pinto
136. Black Pinto
137. Other Pinto
138. Leopard Spotted
139. Blanket Spotted
140. Other Spotted
141. Roan & Rabicano
142. Dun
143. Buckskin & Palomino
144. Non-Equine
145. Fantasy & Decorator
146. Medallion & Bust
147. Other Colour

UK Workmanship Championship


Recycled Live III Supreme Champion

Donations

This is a charity live so all donations will be greatly received. We are looking for:

  • *      Raffle Prize Donations
  • *      Rosettes/Trophies
  • *      Donation Sales Donations
  • *      Certificates
  • *      Food
  • *      Anything else you think you can donate

Raffle and Sales

There will be a raffle at lunch time – tickets will be priced at £1.00 per strip.

There will be space for sales at lunch

Rules and Entry

  • 1.      This is an open show and therefore anyone may enter.
  • 2.      3 entries per entrant per in hand class
  • 3.      2 entries per performance & workmanship class
  • 4.      Each horse can only enter one breed class.
  • 5.      Halters are allowed in breed classes but please no other tack or handlers
  • 6.      Riders/handlers are mandatory in all performance classes with the exception of scene where not appropriate.
  • 7.      No running, dogs or smoking is permissible in the hall.
  • 8.      Take care when placing or removing horses from the ring.
  • 9.      Do not touch or move any other model unless you have express permission to do so.
  • 10.  Poor sportsmanship will not be tolerated.  You will be asked to leave with no refunding of entry fee.
  • 11.  The judge’s decision is final.
  • 12.  Any queries regarding the show or classes should be directed to the show holders.
  • 13.  Children under 13 years must be accompanied by an adult.
  • 14.  Please sit at your own table throughout the show, do not place models on the floor or move them to another showers table.
  • 15.  The organisers, their agents, nor the owner of the hall, will be held responsible for any theft, damage or personal injury.
  • 16.  Please bring a packed lunch – snacks and drinks will be provided
  • 17.  The show holder reserves the right to ask anyone to leave the show at any time without a refund of their entry fee. We WILL NOT tolerate poor sportsmanship, at all, ever.

Prizes & Sponsorship

*      There will be certificates to sixth place

*      There will be rosettes or trophies for champions

*      Overall champions will get rosettes and possibly something else

      Sponsorship Costs

  • *      Class - £2.00
  • *      Section - £5.00
  • *      Championship - £4.00

*      Alternatively if you donate the rosettes/prizes for a section/class/championship I will allow you to place advertising

*      Sponsors get advertising in the show pack



Lah Di Dah Live II Supreme Champion (the precursor to Recycled Live)