One of my other interests is the model horse hobby. People not in the hobby think we play with plastic Breyer horses, but this is far from the truth. I prefer to compare it to the model train or dollhouse hobbies.
The horses range from an off-the-shelf plastic Breyer horse to original sculptures created in clay and cast in resin or ceramic by professional artists, and you’ll find everything in between. Many artists now are getting into the chinas, even casting their own sculptures and firing them in a kiln.
Prices range from a few dollars for the small off-the-shelf plastic models up to thousands for one-of-a-kind “factory custom” plastics, resins, and custom-glaze china. Other people make scale model tack that looks like the real thing and can cost almost as much.
My interest in the hobby is in the “Performance” classes, where a riding event or activity is miniaturized as realistically as possible. There are competitions with classes for the various events/activities. The hobby gives me a creative outlet, I enjoy making the setups, and I really want to try sculpting some day.
For many showers, the goal is NAN - North American Nationals, which is held in Kentucky in even-numbered years and elsewhere in the country in odd-numbered years. This year it was held in my backyard practically, at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg.
I love NAN. Generally, my entries do better there than at other shows. One unusual feature (for a model show) is the three judge format. Three judges work independently, place the class, each placing is assigned a point value, and the entries are placed in order of points. There is an exception - the model who is awarded the Championship has to have placed first under at least one judge, even if that model does not have the highest number of points. In the case of ties, the computer picks a tiebreaker judge.
NAN in Harrisburg was the best ever. The show ran smoothly and with few complaints, at least that I was aware of. I had a great time, even though my entries did the worst I've ever done. At the last NAN I attended (in 2010), out of 17 classes, I got three Champs, one Reserve, and 8 top tens. This year, out of 22 classes, I got 1 Reserve and 7 top tens. Disappointing, but at the same time, I still had a great time. With NAN, part of the fun is just being there. There is a certain excitement to NAN that isn't present at other shows. I also like it because you had plenty of time to set up your performance entries. Rings are open to start setting up a good 10-15 minutes before the 10-minute warning call is given.
The horses range from an off-the-shelf plastic Breyer horse to original sculptures created in clay and cast in resin or ceramic by professional artists, and you’ll find everything in between. Many artists now are getting into the chinas, even casting their own sculptures and firing them in a kiln.
Prices range from a few dollars for the small off-the-shelf plastic models up to thousands for one-of-a-kind “factory custom” plastics, resins, and custom-glaze china. Other people make scale model tack that looks like the real thing and can cost almost as much.
My interest in the hobby is in the “Performance” classes, where a riding event or activity is miniaturized as realistically as possible. There are competitions with classes for the various events/activities. The hobby gives me a creative outlet, I enjoy making the setups, and I really want to try sculpting some day.
For many showers, the goal is NAN - North American Nationals, which is held in Kentucky in even-numbered years and elsewhere in the country in odd-numbered years. This year it was held in my backyard practically, at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg.
I love NAN. Generally, my entries do better there than at other shows. One unusual feature (for a model show) is the three judge format. Three judges work independently, place the class, each placing is assigned a point value, and the entries are placed in order of points. There is an exception - the model who is awarded the Championship has to have placed first under at least one judge, even if that model does not have the highest number of points. In the case of ties, the computer picks a tiebreaker judge.
NAN in Harrisburg was the best ever. The show ran smoothly and with few complaints, at least that I was aware of. I had a great time, even though my entries did the worst I've ever done. At the last NAN I attended (in 2010), out of 17 classes, I got three Champs, one Reserve, and 8 top tens. This year, out of 22 classes, I got 1 Reserve and 7 top tens. Disappointing, but at the same time, I still had a great time. With NAN, part of the fun is just being there. There is a certain excitement to NAN that isn't present at other shows. I also like it because you had plenty of time to set up your performance entries. Rings are open to start setting up a good 10-15 minutes before the 10-minute warning call is given.
Another really great part of NAN is seeing friends who you only see at the shows. People come to NAN from all over the country and often you can finally put a face to that name you've been dealing with on MH$P or Blab.
One thing I did miss out on this year was visiting with people at the hotel. Because Harrisburg is only an hour away, I drove back and forth each day. I was so nervous I would forget something important but I managed to bring everything I needed on the day it was needed.
The photo above is "Epic Steam" competing in an OF Games class. He is an OF (original finish) Breyer model, a special run limited to I believe 1200 pieces. He placed 6th in the class, out of 22 entries, and what made it special was this was the first entry I've ever competed where I made all the tack he is wearing myself. I've only recently gotten into making tack, and this was my first western set. I was happy it ended up usable, and to have it top-ten at NAN was the icing on the cake.