Stablemate Sunday: Premier Club 2014-2018

Happy Sunday! It's the last Sunday of the month, and we're back for another edition of Stablemate Sunday. We've looked at the beginnings of the Vintage Club, the Stablemates Club, and the Deluxe Collector Club, so let's round off the Breyer Clubs with the Premier Club! (Yes, I do know about the Fairytale Friends Club, the post has been in my drafts for months, but for the life of me I cannot find one of the models in the disaster that is my horse room. We'll get there!)

Like the Vintage Club, the Premier Club debuted in 2012, advertised as Connoisseur-level finishwork on three brand new sculptures each year. Unlike the Vintage Club, a bonus Stablemate at the end of the year for members who had purchased all of the models that year was not present from the inception of the club. The Premier Club's first Stablemate was mini Falhofnir in 2014. 

Now, the Premier Club debuted around the time I was in high school and on a hobby break, so I can't say if there was controversy around one Club having a Stablemate, and one Club not. That being said, I don't think it's a coincidence that Breyer debuted the Stablemate Icelandic mold for BreyerFest 2013 to turn around and have the 2014 Premier Club include a traditional Icelandic sculpt. 

The Premier Club Stablemate is also distinct from the Vintage Club Stablemate. The Vintage Club Stablemates are all unique models, while the Premier Club Stablemate replicates one of the colorways from that year on a miniature version. While the Premier Club Stablemate started as a nearly 1:1 recreation from one of the releases (in color and body type), as it has progressed that is not always the case (but that's more of a story for the inevitable part two!)

And here he is - mini Falhofnir, the first Premier Club Stablemate! He's done in a delicious glossy silver bay pinto. As you would expect, he's a miniature version of Falhofnir from the Club that year, though with a few differences. For one, Breyer wasn't using the shrink ray yet in 2014, so the sculpts are different (trad Falhofnir being a Moody sculpt, and mini Falhofnir being a Lunger sculpt). The traditional version of Falhofnir was offered in matte and glossy finishes, while the mini was only ever offered in gloss. There were approximately 741 made of mini Falhofnir. 

I remember mini Falhofnir was my hardest Premier Club Stablemate to track down. He was one I had to find secondhand years after the fact. I want to say I tracked him down somewhere between 2018-2020? I'm pretty sure I bought him from someone on MH$P before it went defunct. He's definitely one of my favorite Stablemates, and he's shown well for me. His show name is All The Girls Say. 

Next, we have the 2015 set: mini Hermoso and Corazon. They utilize the finishwork of the Hermosa and Corazon set, although the adult is done on a stallion mold and thus has the masculine version of the name. To date, they are the only adult-foal set used for a Premier Club Stablemate. I'd love to see it happen again (especially if we get new Stablemate foal molds out of it!). They are done as glossy black tobianos with cat tracks. 

I'm fairly sure I picked my set up secondhand, and both are excellent show models for me, racking up several NAN cards each (and the adult just got a top ten in collectability at NAN!) Hermoso shows under the show name Fearless Leader, and the foal shows under the name Heartsick. 

In 2016, Breyer went a different route for the Premier Club Stablemate - a mostly new mold. The Running Mare mold originally appeared as a porcelain Esperanza as part of the Spirit Collection in 2002. She made her transition to plastic in 2016, being used twice - once as a BreyerFest Single Day Stablemate and once here, as mini Geronimo for the Premier Club. She's done as a matte grulla frame overo to match the traditional Geronimo. 2016 marked the first year Breyer stopped giving run numbers for the Premier Club, so we don't know exactly how many of her were made. 

I can't remember when exactly I picked her up - it was either direct from Breyer in a Black Friday sale or I snagged her from someone secondhand. I think I've photo shown her once, and I actually can't remember the name I showed her under. She has a nice color, but her mold doesn't have the best ABCs (she was meant as a cartoon character!), so she'll probably never go to a live show. 

Next up, we have mini True North! Released for the 2017 Premier Club, mini True North utilized the finishwork of True North - a lovely matte silver bay frame overo. Mini True North marked several departures from the established pattern - for the first time, the breed type didn't match up to the large version! True North is a warmblood, while mini True North is a fluffy cob type. Mini True North was the debut of the mini Vanner mold, originally released as a traditional sized sculpt for the 2012 Premier Club. This also makes him one of the earliest uses of the shrink ray on existing Breyer sculpts (I think just the Eberl Andalusian Stallion is earlier, with his gallery release being 2012 and his plastic introduction being 2013). 

Like mini Geronimo, this is one who doesn't get to show much for me, though he has photo shown for me in the past! His show name is Magnetic Pull. I definitely remember picking him up from the Breyer Black Friday sale in 2018. 

Rounding off the first years of the Premier Club, we have Darwin. Darwin marked a few firsts for the Premier Club Stablemate - he was a brand new sculpture (not a shrunken version of an existing traditional mold, not a porcelain that had been converted into plastic) and he had his own individual name rather than "Mini Dundee." Darwin takes his finishwork from Dundee, as a sabino dunalino. He's quite lovely in hand, and one of my favorite Premier Club releases! 

I am fairly certain I picked mine up secondhand from another collector, though like many of the earlier Premier Club Stablemates, it was long enough ago that I haven't retained the information! He's mostly photo shown for me, as I have too many other Spanish horses that usually throw him out of my show string. His show name is Devil Roll the Dice. 

Which early Premier Club Stablemate is your favorite? 

It's Friday, I'm a Judge! Breed: Arabian

Hello and happy Friday! We've got another mini breed class for you today.

As always, my personal judging history and credentials can be found on my About Me page. 

This week, I decided to make it harder for myself and you all - what do you do if there isn't a mold with great ABCs? How do you evaluate molds that are less accurate against each other? So, I'm once again looking at a mini Arabian class, but this time there are no Love molds or Eberls on the table. Let's refresh our memory on what we're looking for in an Arabian before looking at our class. 

According to the Arabian Horse Association, the breed standard is as follows:

• Comparatively small head with a straight or preferably concave profile, small muzzle, large nostrils, round expressive dark eyes set well apart, small thin and well-shaped ears
• Long arched neck set high, moderately high withers, short straight back, deep chest, comparatively horizontal croup, natural high tail carriage

Arabian mare

Horse A: G4 Arabian

Arabian mare

Horse B: G3 Arabian

Arabian stallion

Horse C: Galloping Arabian (Darley)

Evaluate each of these horses against the breed standard. What do they get right? Think about the ABCs - anatomy, biomechanics, and conformation/condition: who is the soundest option? When you're ready, my placings can be found under the jump. ↓

Show Report: BreyerFest Open Show 2026

🔵 BreyerFest Open Show 2026🟡

Welcome to the second show report from HorseFest, covering two days of the BreyerFest Open Show! Yes, I did five days of showing in a row. Yes, it was a lot. Yes, I might second guess myself before doing this again! 

I did put a little bit of strategizing in regards to my week when I was figuring out my show strings. I ultimately decided to take the least amount of horses on Thursday, which was Mini day. Yes, I know that's weird for me! But in my mind, I was doing a Collector's Class (which will have its own post next week!), and several of my best minis were showing NAN and I didn't want a ton of overlap for the strings (no one likes midweek repacking!), so it made the most sense to bring more trads. Plus, this way if I felt tired after three days of NAN, I wouldn't feel bad bailing if I only brought a small amount of horses. 

In total, I showed 28 minis - two in the new collectability division, and 26 in the regular run division. Probably half of what I brought for the regular run division had either only photo shown for me or never live shown at all! I came home on Thursday with eight placings and two NAN cards, which felt respectable, and a sore throat from cheering so loud for my friends who won sectional championships. 

It was also nice how smoothly Thursday ran - I think we were done by 3 at the latest? It was really nice to have a short and relaxing show day!  

My Mini Collectability Entries aka the "Named by Beth" pair

Friday was traditional and classic day, and my string was all over the place - some regular runs, some in both special run divisions, and some foals. I ended up with 13 placings and one NAN card. I was very close to getting the ribbon rainbow this year! I only missed out on the first. For a while on Friday the ninth was eluding me - I kept getting tenths! I swear I was more frustrated over not getting a ninth than not getting a first. I finally got my ninth in the RR Standardbred class, and it was the most exciting part of the day. 

I always go into the Open Show with no expectations - it's a huge show, with hundreds of entrants, and judges that you often don't know and haven't shown under. There are always some hiccups throughout the day. It's best to keep a good mindset - I'm there for the air conditioning and to hang out with my friends. The ribbons and NAN cards my horses bring home are a bonus. 

The NAN Qualifiers:

Stella - Mini RR Warmblood Breeds Solid

Depressed Damsel - Mini RR Foals Spanish Breeds and All Mustangs

Chocolate Drizzle - Special Run (non BreyerFest) Arabian Stallions & Geldings

Gay Prancer, second in the Mascots Fun Class! 

Show Report: NAN 2026

🟪🏆 NAN 2026 🏆🟪

Monday NAN

Hello from the other side of HorseFest week! This is going to be a Thursday post instead of my usual Wednesday because I think I've spent the majority of the past three days when I'm not at work sleeping. A week of model horse festivities really takes it out of you! Over the next month, my Wednesday posts are pretty much going to be BreyerFest content, and we're starting that off with show reports today and next week. I did two multi-day shows during HorseFest this year - NAN and the BreyerFest Open Show, for a total of five days showing in a row. Reader, I was not built for waking up at 5am for five days straight. 

Today we'll start by talking about NAN, or North American Nationals. NAN occurs in even-numbered years in Kentucky, and I've volunteered or shown at it since I first started live showing in 2022. I have a post planned to talk about my volunteering experience, so we'll reflect on my 2024 NAN experience here for a minute. I always tend to go into shows with zero expectations, the mindset of "if one horse places I'll be happy," and that's doubly true when I show at NAN and the Open Show. I think in NAN 2024 I can home with one gold cookie, two silver cookies, and twenty top tens and I was thrilled. I had an idle goal that I'd like to do better this year, but I in no way expected to do so. 

...and Wednesday NAN

And then I nearly accomplished that goal on Monday, with two gold cookies, one silver cookie, and seventeen top tens. Wednesday was collectability day, and while I've been concentrating more on expanding my mini collectability string, I still did not expect anything. Cue four gold cookies, two silver cookies and twenty top tens. My total across two days of NAN was six gold cookies, three silver cookies, and 37 top tens, from 131 horses entered. I did not imagine I'd do this well, and I'm so happy that my work curating my collection and show string has paid off. 

I'd like to shout out a few of my cookie winners in particular. DWS Mister Waternoose, my loose mane Shannondell I bought from my friend Kelly M. came home with not just a silver cookie in breed, but a gold cookie in collectability as well. What made it even better was Kelly being there to see it! 

My beloved Golden Child completed her redemption arc from last NAN, and took top honors in the regular run unrealistic class. She's one of my favorites in my collection, and I was thrilled to see her (deservedly) do so well this time around. The same goes for my no-stamp dapple gray ASB Psychotic Love Theme, who took a Reserve Champion in a very competitive, 79 entry Regular Run mini class. Both of these models were very lucky eBay lot finds. 

I can't talk about NAN without giving a special shoutout to my friends Sarah P. and Kelsey B., who ran my collectability horses for me on Wednesday while I volunteered. They did such a fabulous job, and even took photos of everyone in the photo booth for me! I'm very fortunate to have such fabulous friends.

I haven't quite decided yet how many horses I'll take to NAN in 2028. I may work on some merit awards, and I may volunteer more next time. I'll have to see how my horses show in the next two years - I'm too tired to think about it now! 

The Cookie Winners:

Peony - OFP Breyer LB/SM Foals - Stock/Sport National Champion

Voulez-Vous - OFP Breyer LB/SM Spanish (all other colors) National Champion

DWS Mister Waternoose - OFP Breyer Draft - Clydesdale/Shire National Reserve Champion

DWS Mister Waternoose - OFP Collectibility Breyer SR 201+ Realistic Color - Draft/Pony/Other Type National Champion

Mist It By That Much - OFP Collectability Breyer SR 201+ Realistic Color LB/SM - Stock/Spanish Type

Golden Child - OFP Collectability Breyer Regular Run Unrealistic Color (post 1971) National Champion

Goldenlake - OFP Collectibility Breyer SR 201+ Realistic Color - Light/Gaited/Sport Type National Champion

Psychotic Love Theme - OFP Collectibility Breyer Reg Run Realistic Color LB/SM National Reserve Champion

Belli - OFP Collectability Breyer SR 201+ Realistic Color Foals LB/SM National Reserve Champion

The Top Tens (listed):

• Always a Wendy - OFP Breyer Foals Light/Gaited/Other Foals
• Riker Horse - OFP Breyer Gaited - ASB
• Shameful Sunday - OFP Breyer LB/SM Arabian/Part Arabian
• Ego Death - OFP Breyer LB/SM Morgan/Other Light
• Southport - OFP Breyer Sport - Thoroughbred/Standardbred
• I Don't Collect These - OFP Stone PB/CH Spanish
• Everyone's Type - OFP Breyer LB/SM Spanish (all other colors)
• Saludos al Sol - OFP Breyer LB/SM Spanish (all other colors)
• Total Eclipse - OFP Breyer LB/SM Other Stock (Incl. Mustang)
• Divine Rival - OFP Breyer LB/SM Other Stock (Incl. Mustang)
• Not Mine to Lose - OFP Breyer LB/SM European Draft
• Heavenmetal - OFP Breyer LB/SM Other Pure/Part (Incl. Donkey/Mule/Exotics)
• Join the Heist - OFP Breyer LB/SM Other Pure/Part (Incl. Donkey/Mule/Exotics)
• Goblin King - OFP Breyer LB/SM European Pony
• Goblin King - OFP Collectability Breyer SR 201+ Realistic Color LB/SM - Draft/Pony Type
• Heartbreak in Remission - OFP Collectability Breyer SR 201+ Realistic Color LB/SM - Draft/Pony Type
• Coincidence - OFP Collectability Breyer SR 201+ Realistic Color LB/SM - Draft/Pony Type
• Three Shots, Lemon Drops - OFP Collectability Breyer SR 201+ Realistic Color LB/SM - Draft/Pony Type
• Daytime Contender - OFP Collectability Breyer SR 201+ Realistic Color LB/SM - Light/Gaited/Other Type
• Gotta Goat - OFP Collectability Breyer SR 201+ Realistic Color LB/SM - Light/Gaited/Other Type
• Fearless Leader - OFP Collectability Breyer SR 201+ Realistic Color LB/SM - Stock/Spanish Type
• Greek Tragedy - OFP Collectability Breyer SR 201+ Realistic Color LB/SM - Stock/Spanish Type
• It Ain't Me - OFP Collectability Breyer SR 201+ Realistic Color LB/SM - Sport Type
• Say It Right - OFP Collectability Breyer SR Realistic Color Foals
• A Jazz Combo - OFP Collectibility Breyer Connoisseur Realistic Color
• Smol Gay Bean - OFP Collectibility Breyer LB/SM Fantasy Equid
• Lighting Strike - OFP Collectibility Breyer Reg Run Realistic Color LB/SM
• Friendship is Magic - OFP Collectibility Breyer SR 2 - 200 Realistic Color LB/SM

It's Friday, I'm a Judge! Traditional Collectability #6

Happy (official!!) first day of BreyerFest! As you might guess, this post was written and scheduled to post in advance, as I am a busy little bee this week. But, the blog show stops for no one, and we're in collectability land today. 

As always, my personal judging history and credentials can be found on my About Me page. 

This week, we're looking at a class of Connoisseur models. Connoisseurs were exclusive models for subscribers of Breyer's Just About Horses magazine. Much like the web special lotteries of today, subscribers would send an entry form to Breyer for a chance to win a special run of 350 pieces each issue (just through snail mail instead of digitally!) So, how do we evaluate runs of identical provenance and run size? Well, let's take a look at our class and try it together. 

Horse A: Hope-N-Glory - 2002 Connoisseur Series - 350 made

Horse B: Reverse Polarity - 2005 Connoisseur Series - 350 made

Horse C: Jazz Fusion - 2007 Connoisseur Series - 350 made

What are you thinking about when determine what makes one of these more collectible than another? Are you thinking about desirability? Condition? Age? When you're ready, my placings can be found under the jump. ↓

Collection Spotlight: Chestnut Stagecoach Surprise

 Happy Horse Fest! I'm writing this from Kentucky, after a long couple of days at NAN. This'll post while I'm at NAN Day Three, but I wanted to get in the BreyerFest spirit a little bit, so today we're looking at my chestnut Stagecoach Surprise from 2023. 

Hamilton was a mold I was dreading as the surprise, as I do quite like him and mostly conga him. He's not a high priority in the way the minis are, but I knew whenever he was the surprise I'd have to spend years tracking them down (and I've only added one since 2023 -  I traded one of my extra buckskin tobiano glossies for the sabino glossy. I've just had other pony budget priorities!) 

I think in part one of the reasons why I've been slow at accumulating the Stagecoach Surprises is because of how the order of the surprise molds fell. 2022 was the year of the Cleveland Bay, and I ran myself ragged trying to get as many of them as I could before leaving Kentucky, and I had zero desire to repeat that a second year in a row as I do value my own sanity.

The Stagecoach Surprise came in four realistic colorways split across matte and glossy finishes, with a decorator as well. The matte chestnut was a run of 1,125, and he is gorgeously shaded. I think I'd like to get one of the glossy chestnuts next! 

Now, 2023 was the one and only year I've participated in the Sunday Second Chance line at BreyerFest. It was a combination of a few factors - there wasn't one in 2022, so people didn't know if it would be returning for the post-COVID BreyerFests (and therefore no one was lining up for hours ahead of time), my friend Amanda and I didn't have any commitments Sunday afternoon, and another friend who was volunteering had a sightline to the Special Run line sent me a text that the sale was happening. Amanda and I were close to the line and decided, well, why not? 

I ended up going through the Second Chance line probably three times that day - once for me, once for Amanda since she had her dog with her and opted to take a break in the shade and babysit the bags, and once for my friend on her volunteering shift. I believe I pulled this guy directly from the Second Chance line that day. 

And it turned out that he was exactly the same red shade as a Vizsla. as confirmed by this comparison photo. I therefore named him after said dog, with the very original name of "Riker Horse" - because he looks like Riker, but is horse. (He was also definitely licked by Riker that day - a good blessing for sure!)

In a funny turn of events, he ended up on the table with Amanda's Second Chance sale Stagecoach Surprise at the River City Classic earlier this year. Amanda's is also named for Riker - his show name is Let Sleeping Dogs Lie because Riker slept on the bag while I was making laps of the special run line. We were thrilled when Amanda's horse went section champ in collectability, and mine went section champ in breed. 

And as a little bonus for my NAN show results next week...somebody did well this week! 

Monthly Round Up! June Additions

June has been a month! The clock is ticking to leave for BreyerFest (I'm heading down in four days, and I feel so behind!) But let's take a look at what I added to the collection in June. 

First up was this keychain! She's from the 1998 BreyerFest. She popped up on eBay at the right price, and I jumped to add her to the collection.

BOB meant I got to see my fabulous friend Kelly M., and as per usual I came home with a pile of things from her. I traded one of my leopard Mayas for one of Kelly's roans, and finally got the glossy Javier from the Stablemates Club last year. 

I also picked this little gal up at BOB, but she was unexpected. My friend Jane gave her to me as a gift, since she knows I love rainbow ponies. She's one of Kelly Sealey's Thistles. I'm not much for resins or customs, but she has a permanent place on the shelf. 

So these guys were actually a May purchase that arrived in June - they're Erudite and Pupil, the May Literature release from Stone. I chose the matte set because I'm always leery of light grays in gloss. I'm mostly just excited I finally added a Chip Foal to the herd!

Finally, we have the June Stablemates Club release - Najwa! I unfortunately did not receive one of the chestnuts, so I picked the nicer of the two blacks to stay in the herd, and the other will be destined for the sales bin or a show donation. 

It's a bit of a light month, but next month is BreyerFest, so funds are limited right now!