The NAN 2013 Wrap Up

NAN Harrisburg is officially in the record books. And what an amazingly well run show this was. This was my best ever NAN experience as an entrant. I found the show very well paced--I never felt rushed, and I only rarely felt things were dragging without explanation. I did not miss a single class, despite over scheduling myself on Friday with performance (I had 4 horses in CM/AR English Trail. AAAAHHHHHHH!) The staff was professional, and things ran smoothly.

I thought that NAN 2010, when Eleanor Harvey and I ran it, was the best NAN ever-best organized, most fun, whatever. No longer true. We are second, and very solidly beaten. Not a photo finish at all. Chair Niki Hertzog and registrar Jim West were super organized and super professional. I thank you all for your hard work. You've set the bar high for 2013.

I also want to thank my husband David, who agreed to come along and help for the weekend. I am sure that by Friday night he was over hearing grown women talk about little plastic horses and the politics thereof, but he really did not let on. I am so very grateful he gave up his weekend to something he doesn't have any interest in at all, because I asked him to. I love you, David. You're awesome.

I took 33 horses to Harrisburg, and showed in 81 classes. I came home with 28 Top Tens, 5 Reserves and 6 Champions. And here they are, and these are the people who created them. All pictures will blow up if you click on them, so you can get a better look:

First off, here are my horses that didn't get noticed:

These are my resins, from left to right, the back row:

Elidar, a "Daffyd" resin sculpted by Sarah Minkiewicz-Bruenig and finished by Daphne Mazuz
Oscar Wilde, a "Showman" resin sculpted by Kathi Bogucki and finished by Carol Williams
Firefly, an "Elsie" sculpted by Sarah Minkiewicz-Breunig and finished by Stephen Michaud
Margo, a "Koko" resin sculpted by Lynn Fraley and finished by Tom Bainbridge
Valerian Steel, the Animal Artistry large Andalusian by Donna Chaney and finished by Ann Harris
Bruce, an "Otto" resin by Sarah Minkiewicz-Bruenig finished by Morgen Kilbourne

And in front, left to right:

Sundance, a "Taboo by Sarah Minkiewicz-Bruenig and finished by Mel Miller
Tyrion, an "Imp" by Sarah Minkiewicz-Bruenig finished by Jenn Danza (he fell over during his class or I think he would have been pinned!)
Shock Value, a "Nevada" by Sarah Rose finished by Mel Miller

And in customs land:

Khandan, a Breyer classic Arabian mare by Bev Manderfeld
Hot Zone, a Black Horse Ranch hunter by Ann Harris--Hot Zone arrived with a broken leg I found Friday morning. Happily, Jenn Danza put him back together and he did not miss a class!
Just Another Guy, a Stone Ideal Stock Horse by Kirsten Wellman
Armaan, a Breyer Stablemate G1 Arabian stallion by Kirsten Wellman

I managed to not get images of my horses in their performance classes (something had to give!) so for many I don't have pictures of them in set ups. Sorry. Also, in general, a lot of my older horses did very well this year, so please indulge me with some stories.

Top Tens

Harpo, a Mittens resin, sculpted and finished by Ann Harris, Top Ten in CM/AR English Trail. Tack by susan Doolittle, doll by Cari Chaney. I think Martina Vanelli took the performance picture. I have had Harpo for 10 years now.

Viva Las Vegas, a Matriarch sculpted and finished by Carol Williams. Dave gave me this horse early in our courtship. She took Top Tens in CM/AR Reining/Western Dressage, Trad/Classic/LB scale QH, and Tr/Cl Other Dilute. This horse's barn name is Priscilla--she got some tack damage repaired this weekend, so I think her performance career is over. Her saddle is by Janet Eddington, bridle by Sue Bensema Young and doll by Rosewood dolls

Polka Parr T is a customized Black Horse Ranch Reiner done by me. I have been showing Polka since 2000! He is a multiple past NAN champ and holds 3 separate Superior Event Horse awards (marathon driving, reining and roping) This year he got his Top Ten in Reining/Western Dressage. She was shown with a Terry Newberry saddle and bridle (which I purchased for Polka the night before NAN 2001 started!) and has a doll by Anne Field. I will show this horse forever.

Polka Bueno, an Okie Too sculpted and finished by Carol Williams. This foal is 12 years old, and still wins for me! He got his Top Ten in AR Stock Foals.

Snickerdoodle, a Loki resin by Lesli Kathman, finished and haired by Sarah Minkiewicz-Breunig. I am not his original owner, so I am not sure of his age, but I think the date on him is 2004. He is a resin that was a cast custom, something that is frowned upon now. His Top Ten is in Workmanship-Classic/Traditional Tobiano

Airline Amy and Waps Baby Doll. I think of these two as sisters, and that is why I show them together. Both are finished by Danielle Feldman (I own a third appaloosa by her as well!) They both earned Top Tens in Sport/Carriage/Draft Foals, Patterned. Amy is a Lets Fly resin by Tibbi Searcher, and Doll is a Gesche resin by Carlee Balling-that latter resin was released in 1997, though Doll is probably wearing a different paint job than the one she started out in.

Secret Weapon, a Valinor by Sarah Minkiewicz-Breunig and finished by Jennifer Scott. Secret had some repair work to her tail and scored third in her workmanship class, SM/LB scale Greys

Roxanne, a Working Girl resin by Sarah Rose and finished by Sommer Prosser. Roxy won her Top Ten in QH/solid colored stock horse SM scale.

Chakra, a Vixen by Sarah Minkiewicz-Breunig finished by Steph Michaud. Chakra is still new here, and I really love her. Her Top Ten was in workmanship, SM/LB scale Overo pinto

Reserve Champions

Dun in Pastels, a custom Black Horse Ranch Hunter by Lesli Kathman. He was owned by Paula Hecker who showed the heck out of him in the 90's, and she sold him to me about 18 months ago. Paula stalks him on my Facebook page, which makes me happy. I think he was done in 1996. I am honored to own him now, and clearly, he's still got it--he placed Top Ten in CM/AR Huntseat pleasure, Stock/pony and took reserve champ in CM/AR Other English. He used tack that was made for him by Jennifer Kistler and used dolls made by Cari Chaney and Anne Field.

Frasasti, a custom Breyer Weather Girl by Danelle Gatcombe. Danelle is a wonderful regional customizer, and it was great to tell her that Frasasti followed up her Top Ten from last year with a reserve in CM Grey, where she was judged on the technical work Danelle did on her.

Lasher, a custom Breyer Classic Swaps by Sarah Minkiewicz-Breunig. Lasher was made in 1992 and refurbished in 1996. He is older than NAN or NAMHSA! The fact that he took reserve in CM Other Sporthorses Classic/LB/SM scale speaks to how ahead of his time he was in 1992.

Josie Whiplash, a tiny Breyer Stablemate scale scratching foal finished by the late Judy Renee Pope. Josie took reserve in workmanship, LB/SM scale dilutes.

Champions

Skipper Dan is my lone OF horse this time-he's a Breyer Enchanted Forest, and was one of many versions of this pony on the table. He had three classes, and failed to place in 2 (he shouldn't have) but did manage to not only place but win OF Dressage with a Prix Caprilli entry. His tack is by Jana Skybova and his doll-an adorable kind with glasses and jodphurs-is by Anne Field.

Heidi, a Hazel resin by Morgen Kilbourne, finished by Sonya Johnson, had a great day--she is super fun to play with. She started the day winning the harness class (harness by me, cart by BillDuncan, dolls by Anne Field), then picked up Top Tens in Cross Country/Jumpers and dressage (tack by Corrine Ensor and Susan Doolittle, dolls by Anne Field) and then a Reserve in Poles/Barrels/Keyhole/Flag and Balloon Racing (tack by Pam Perkins, doll by Anne Field) I really enjoy showing this horse-she is just FUN.

Smoke N Satin is a customized Breyer Lonesome Glory by Pamela Hutton. This horse has been around since 2001, and she is a past champ at Breyerfest Live. This year she took a Top Ten in CM Thoroughbreds and then won her workmanship class, CM Greys--yes, I took both champ and reserve in that class!

Sadira, a Jezebel resin by Sarah Rose finished by Sommer Prosser. She went Top Ten in SM/LB Bay and then won the ARab mares class, beating horses of all scales!

All About Khemistry is a CM Breyer classic Man O War by Kirsten Wellman. He was created as a donation to help raise money for a mutual friend, and I won him at auction for about $100. He does well, and is consistent. This weekend he went and won the class Lasher was reserve in. He is Kirsten's first ever NAN champ that she created!

Chump Change is a Genoveva resin by Brigitte Eberl finished by Ann Harris. I adore this horse. Her color is perfect, and I love it. She does well locally, but has never placed at NAN. This year she won her workmanship class, Trad/Classic Bay Mare/Filly/Geldings

Finally, and you may skip this if you are easily grossed out, I want to present my favorite entry to set up. Friday morning brought us the Scene class where you can set up all sorts of non competitive horse type things, like a horse standing for the vet, or milling about at a check on a hunt, or....avoiding being eaten in the world of The Walking Dead. Photos by me, Marisa Evans and Martina Vanelli. I would appreciate any other photos people had of this set up. I absolutely LOVED watching the reactions to it (mostly along the lines of "Gross. But cool." And if there had been some sort of popular vote, this entry would have won. Alas, he was out of the ribbons by a single point. Still a win for me though!

That's my NAN wrap. See you at Breyerfest in about a month, yikes!!

The Model Horse Hobby in the Mirror?

I am gleefully working on a Walking Dead inspired performance set up. Its one of those projects that started out as being very specific, and has sort of evolved into being something that will be more versatile. I am really excited about showing it off. While I was in the gathering stuff I need for this phase, I stumbled on a website that sells 1:6 scale accessories for Old West figures. They also have a nice supply of Breyer scaled rifles, and well, who doesn't need firearms in the zombie apocalypse? I ordered some and joined the yahoo group for the company.

Most of the posts have been from people who appear to be on the older side, mostly men, who customize Marx figures and make little dioramas with them. The details are pretty neat. Naturally, some of these figures need horses. The original web site I found this stuff on did some CM work on Johnny Marx horses and sold them. Nice, but not hobby quality.

And then this lady posted an update to her website. And I really feel like I am looking at that first issue of Just About Horses I ever laid hands on in 1978. Though she does not call her horses RRH--she calls them customs. I realize I may be coming across as though I have posted this to make fun of the work--I'm not--its like I am looking at a parallel evolution to what we do. She's just doing it with a smaller group that is focused on what she does.

I was going to put my little WD scenario together and photograph it to see how it looked--its definitely a scene type entry (and its a behind the scense type scene. No zombies. Yet.)--and post a picture to this new yahoogroup to say "Hey, here's what I do in 1:8" but now I am not sure that I should, for some reason...I feel almost like I'd be...disrespectful? I don't know why though--I don't know that they'd be particularly interested in what we do in competition. Its possible they just enjoy doing their own thing, after all, and not care about our hyper realism.

There's a yahoogroup for 1:6 horses, and I *know* I have seen Rio Rondo selling 1:6 scale hardware (and wondering who was buying it)and I am pretty sure Sue Bensema Young had some 1:6 scale stuff at Breyerfest last year. Its like this whole sister group is out there and no one knows about it. I have heard of Luis Aguilar's horses, but I've never seen one. Here are cavalry sets that rival anything I've seen shown...and he does all sorts of different eras. The tack whore in me is going "Those prices are pretty good." Its not like having the right horse has ever stopped me before. I almost feel like I should snoop around these guys to find a set of hames and a it that would be a good fit for my monstrous Equus Maximus.

Did we scare off the Marx people early on with Breyer and Hartland snobbery? Does anyone out there have one of the Luis Aguilar horses? Do you show it? Why not?

Full of questions.

Pint Size Plastic Live Recap

Its been a VERY busy month on the plastic horse front, and before October, I was very excited about having all sorts of things to blog about. I forgot that I would need, like, TIME, to write the posts! I started this post sheltering at home, in anticipation of Sandy, and I managed to be very good about prepping for the final show of this 5 week period yesterday (down to just packing halter horses, and work is likely closed tomorrow) so here I am, doing laundry and making soup and catching up on online things. We are now in the Sandy Aftermath period and while I have heat, power and the internet, work does not, so I seem to be on vacation this week. I think there is even going to be tack making tonight.

ANYWAY. Just pretend its October 7th.

Pint Sized Plastic was held in the Albany, NY area on October 6th, and I went for a couple reasons:

- I was off that weekend
- It had a small performance division, and I thought it would be a good place to give Polka Parr T, with his newly repaired leg, a spin. So to speak.
- It had a novice division, and I thought it would be super fun to bring along my nieces.

Sadly, whatever photos I took that weekend appear to have vanished. I have no idea what happened to them :( So all pictures in this post were taken by my sister in law, Kathy, who tagged along to keep the girls in line.

This show was on the small size, which I expected. I think it was a good First Show experience for MacKenzie and Riley, as it was not so large as to be overwhelming (see: me at Breyerfest vendor tent, 1995) and everyone was VERY nice, including and especially the two novice judges, Taylor Simpson and Emily Bailey. They moved classes at a leisurely pace, since the girls were the only showers, and gave thorough critiques after each class, making sure to tell the girls the things they'd done well before gently offering suggestions to make things better.

They also appreciated creativity (such as the horse caught in the explosion at the silly bands factory) and humor (MacKenzie showed a 3 legged model named after my own, late real horse, Trivia. The judges liked the "zombie horse")

Both girls did REALLY well, and took home armloads of rosettes, and happily they split the grand and reserve. I would like to point out that the reserve-the classic scale shire known as Champ-was one of the horses we cleaed up with toothpaste a few weeks earlier. He belongs to Riley. Nano, the Esprit owned by MacKenzie was grand.

They also won a ton of stuff in the raffle (including the Holy Grail of raffle prizes, MORE HORSES!!) and came away with amusingly different interests in the hobby. Riley likes performance. MacKenzie is more interested in collectibility--I think its more the radical colors of some of those.

They both want to do this again. They both have visions of NAN. Win.

Anyway, I have tubs of sticky wax for both of them come Christmas. Sticky wax fixes everything.

On the Open front, the performance division moved fairly slowly, as judge Karen Pajak was working and showing china, and as we know, Karen likes to fill classes singlehandedly. Karen did a great job judging, and the division DID end at lunch, which made me feel a lot better about getting home in a timely manner.

Oh, and Polka Parr T is qualified for Harrisburg, which was pretty much my goal for the show.

Not bad for an old, busted up horse!

Futurity

Saturday I traveled north to spend a few hours helping my nieces, MacKenzie and Riley, prepare for their first foray into model horse showing. The show is in a couple weeks, and its a novice division. I think its going to be small, which would be perfect. I brought a bunch of my own stuff to show them what performance showing was like, too.

And I may have created some monsters.

Kenz and Ri were both excited about the whole idea (Riley may yet explode before it happens) and I had a really great time working with them. We talked about halter showing a bit, and then performance stuff. I set up a couple performance entries so they could get an idea of what we do. I left behind my enormous fishing tackle box full of older tack I don't use anymore so they can play with it and try it out. We made tags for their horses.

And then we got to business. Kenz and Ri play with their horses, and I am glad that they do. Last time I was over, they had expressed a desire to try and go to Nationals in Harrisburg this year...which means played with horses will need some refurbishing. I brought along some paint for touch ups, but they first project they offered was a MUCH easier one--black scuffs on white markings. I can do that! Pretty soon we were all scrubbing toothpaste on the offending areas and those horses cleaned up well.

I had to continually stop myself for pushing my hobby prejudices onto them. I would love them to share my hobby, but it really needs to be what they want to do, if they are going to stick with it. So I kept my mouth shut when everyone grabbed a paintbrush and went to town touching up areas--I had to remember the point was not to perfectly restore OF models, and the girls were already thrilled with the toothpaste trick.

Eventually, Kenz asked where one got customs.

"Oh, we can make those!"

"WE CAN?!"

Oops. I had not thought about bringing stuff for a project like this! Fortunately, n=my brother had a couple cans of automotive primer and a decent outside work space. The girls brought over a few horses to give new faces to, and I primed away. My inner hobbyist did clutch her pearls and gasp a bit when the idea to paint at least one horse gloss black with pink flames was floated, but fortunately, another portion said "Oh, his. Why not?"

Why not? I'm interested in seeing what they come up with.

Kenz and Ri have actual ponies and horses in their life, something I didn't when I was their age. My carpet herd was mostly stallions. Theirs are mostly mares and geldings--I think I registered about 25 horses between the 2 of them for this show, and there are 3 stallions. That's it. There are also 3 grade horses--a concept that is a hard sell for hobbyists. We like to have some sort of explanation behind why our models look the way they do, so we invent all sorts of crazy combos, rather than just accepting a horse for how it is. I find how they are entering this thing--what breed your horses is sort of mattering less, NAMHSA already in place and entrenched, the level the competition, a mentor, family support--really interesting. I hope they have as much fun with it as I do.

Arts and Crap Day, East Coast Edition

Back when I lived in Ithaca, I was fortunate enough to be in an area with a small, but very active, group of hobbyists. We would get together from time to time for a thing we called a Hack Session. Customizing projects would be brought, along with copies of whatever publications had come in the mail since the last meeting. We tortured models both resin and plastic, made tack, ate chips and salsa and had a great time. It was a great period in the hobby for me--I was being very creative because I had time, no money and lots of people inspiring me to try stuff.

I'e moved, the rest of the group has gone on with life. I'm still in neck deep, but not everyone else is. I didn't realize how much I missed that connecting over Hack Sessions until I read this post in Jen Buxton's blog. If you are somehow not subbed to Jen's blog, go do that now.

I was not alone in being fired up about this. Pat Coulter, the Region 9 rep, and local to me hobbyist, grabbed the reins and scheduled one. 4 of us showed up, so it was small, and I had to split early to go do Work Stuff, oh, and all my CM supplies are SO OLD they were no longer usable, so I ended up organizing show references and fiddling. It was still a lot of fun, I wished I did not have to go early, and on my way home form work, I stopped and bought new primer and spot putty. And spent the night working on things:

I started prepping my Iaret, a pair of kitty resins, and a jump. I repaired Polka Parr T to show worthy status. I also bought things to make props for my current driving horse--Pat turned me on to Indoor Driving, which gave me a WHOLE BUNCH of new things to do with a galloping horse in harness.

I am eyeing my basement as a good location for the next one. I have a table, and a lot of other space down there, and I can get more lighting. We could take photos, too, since I can set up my light cube. I also have a coffee maker, and there are many food delivery options. After all, I have more things to prep, a show to plan, and its more likely to get done with friends.

Red horses in trail

We often point out how unrealistic our model horse classes are, what with their entries displaying multiple modifications to baseline colors--crazy apps, pintos, nary a plain old solid colored horse to be seen--the sort you'd see making up 90% or more of a typical live horse show class.

And yes, small sample size, but marvel at the lack of chrome on display here:

Yes, one is a dun, and one is a blonde, but no app spots, no pinto markings, I am not sure there is even a teensy bit of sabino in those white markings that ARE there!