Beginners corner
Model horse shows are for all ages, youth through senior adults. Any model horse can compete as long as the model is in good condition (does not have rubs, scratches, or broken limbs), good conformation, good breed standards (that they will represent), and good workmanship (does not have any paint flaws or mold flaws).
How does a model horse show work? The show is set up very much like a real horse show, but most are held indoors. A table, or several tables, is set up in the front of the room, where each table represents a “show ring” for each division. There are several different classes on the class list, which includes different breeds, gender, color, collectability, and different performance disciplines (Western, English, Harness, Costume, and other performances), and the shower can show different horses throughout the day. Performance is where the shower would display an index card, near the tacked up model with props, explaining to the judge what event the horse is participating in. Some Shows may break down the divisions into smaller components, Original Finish-OF from the factory (where horse cannot be altered in anyway); Custom-CM (where the OF horse is altered in some way); and Artist Resin-AR (where an artist has sculpted, produced several copies and paints them to sell). The price of these models could be a little as several dollars at the local tack shop, or up to thousands of dollars depending on the artist and how many are produced.
Shows have been around since the 1960’s as a backyard event, but over the past decades it has grown into a popular hobby among horse people. Since 1994, the North American Model Horse Show Association (NAMHSA) promotes higher standard model horse shows, where an owner can compete and have chance to get their model horse qualified to compete on the next level, which is nationals. The host of a show applies for membership, then once accepted the show is designated as a NAMHSA recognized show. Then when any horse who places first and second in each NAMHSA selected classes; the shower will receive a colored index card which qualifies the horse. Results will be recorded with NAMSHA. NAN cards qualify the horse at the following NAN shows: 2016 / 2017 / 2018 / 2019. **Note: Youth and Novice divisions are NOT NAN Qualifying***
A great thing about showing model horses in comparison to the real thing, you do not have to worry about the vet bills, blacksmith, feed bill, exercise, and best of all you can leave the truck and trailer at home. One shower loves the idea of hauling her entire show string in a shoe box. You can learn and compete in many breeds and disciplines, learn to make your own customs, tack, and props. The only things you’ll need to understand are breeds standards, performance discipline rules; dust your models off and place it in the ring and the model does all the work to win you your next ribbon.
First thing is to find a show! Read over the rules and send in your entry and fee A.S.A.P because shows fill up quick and your may run out dead line or entry tables. Go through your horses to pick which ones are going and which classes they need to show in. Pack your horses head of time so give you time to remember everything. Don't forget to pack extra goodies, like snacks, tags, pens, paper, scissors and anything else you may need. Show up early little before the doors open. The show has a set up time where you unload and unpack your horses. This is a good time to place your horses in order so they don't fall and set up in order of your first class and other classes following. The start time is the time the judge will start their judging for the first class. Remember be courteous and don't stand so close to the table while the judge is doing her job. Once the horses have been pinned and the judge gives the ok to remove your horse from the table, then you can take your horse. If your horses place 1st and 2nd place your horse may have a call back for placing of Champion and Reserve Champion. Be attentive on what is going on and don't get upset if you miss a class, "We all have miss a class or two" while we are enjoying our new and old friends. Be kind and send a thank you card or help out with the show any way you can. Shows are very stressful on the host and she needs all the help she can get.
Questions:
1. How many horses can I show? The entry fee is open to as many horses you can show, but if you are new the good number is about 20-30 horses.
2. Can I show the same horse in every class? No, this is where you need to study your model and decided what breed your model best represent and show him/her in that proper class. If you need help ask your trainer, 4H leader or buy a great horse encyclopedia and do your research on different breeds even the ones around the world.
3. How long does the show last? Depends on how many classes are in a show and how quickly people can pick up there horses once they have been pinned. I have seen shows end at 5pm, and some have ran after midnight. Hopefully the one at the AL horse fair around 5-8pm depending all divisions and how smoothly they run. (youth much sooner)
4. Can I entry all my horses in one breed. Depends on the number horses allowed in a particular show, some show holders may only allow 2 to 5 depends on how big the show is. Read over your show rules. Have fun and show different breeds.
5. Is there a show results? Again this depends on the show holder. For open classes the host has to report to NAMHSA only 1st and 2nd place horses.
6. May I ask questions to the judge? You may ask before and after classes, not while she is judging. There are several seasonal showers in the room you can ask many different other question to learn more about model horse showing.
7. Can I win a NAMHSA card? If you show in the open division (not youth or Novice division) any horses who placed 1st and 2nd will win a NAN card. (note youth and novice is not just limited to their division your welcome to show both open and their division, but theses classes are to help a give a good understanding of showing in open division).
8. Why is there a color picture or breed information next to that horses? This is where the horse owner is shows she has done her homework in studying what that model best breed may look like. This is great place to show off new or different breeds or horse color that is uncommon.
9. Why do models have white tag on their legs? This is where the owner places the horses name, gender, breed and owners name or initials. This helps make sure the horse in the right class and the judge will write down the horses name and owners initials for the results.
10. What name do I used for my model horse? You can use any name you want for that horse. You can get creative, use register horse names, or just name them after your family pets.
11. Can I lay my model down on the table if he is not stable? Most diffidently, few models out there is little wobbly and the last thing you want to see him fall over or worse fall off the table. Use a small material to lay him down on.
12. How do I pack my models to go to a model horse show? You can use any material that can be used to wrap every part their bodies, in the past I have used old towels, shirts, pillow cases, fabric, bubble wrap, tissue paper, or even toilet paper. Pay extra attention to ears, tails, hooves, that can easily break or rub. You can purchase large tubs that have wheels help get your horses from the car to show hall.
13. What is the judge is looking for? The judge is looking at several things, like breed standards, conformation, craftsmanship, most of all condition. If your horses have rubs, or scratches the best thing is to leave them at home. Once the horse is on table "show ring" make a last look over your horse for fuzz, dust, or animal hair, this would make a difference first place or last....
14. Keep up your show string and their placing. Use word document or spread sheet of horses name, breed, classes and placing. This help you know what horses do well. Don't get disappointed if your favorite horse does not place, there is other shows you be surprise and your horse may place higher next time.
15. I bought my model at the local yard sale. What is this model? There are many sources out there even books on their value and information on that mold. Here is a great start. http://identifyyourbreyer.com/index.html
16. I live some where there is no place to buy model horses, where would I find model horses? There is all sort of places on line like Ebay, Model horse Sales Pages, Auction Barn, but be very cautious who you buying from. You may contact Breyer and ask for local stores that might sell them like tack shops and toys stores.
Other great things you can do with model horses!
-Breeding model horses
-Photo showing
-Tack making
-Carts and Buggy making
-Doll making
-Customizing
-Obstacles making
-scenes design
If you have any more question please send me an email and I'll be glad to answer it and place it on this board for others to read. [email protected]
Model horse shows are for all ages, youth through senior adults. Any model horse can compete as long as the model is in good condition (does not have rubs, scratches, or broken limbs), good conformation, good breed standards (that they will represent), and good workmanship (does not have any paint flaws or mold flaws).
How does a model horse show work? The show is set up very much like a real horse show, but most are held indoors. A table, or several tables, is set up in the front of the room, where each table represents a “show ring” for each division. There are several different classes on the class list, which includes different breeds, gender, color, collectability, and different performance disciplines (Western, English, Harness, Costume, and other performances), and the shower can show different horses throughout the day. Performance is where the shower would display an index card, near the tacked up model with props, explaining to the judge what event the horse is participating in. Some Shows may break down the divisions into smaller components, Original Finish-OF from the factory (where horse cannot be altered in anyway); Custom-CM (where the OF horse is altered in some way); and Artist Resin-AR (where an artist has sculpted, produced several copies and paints them to sell). The price of these models could be a little as several dollars at the local tack shop, or up to thousands of dollars depending on the artist and how many are produced.
Shows have been around since the 1960’s as a backyard event, but over the past decades it has grown into a popular hobby among horse people. Since 1994, the North American Model Horse Show Association (NAMHSA) promotes higher standard model horse shows, where an owner can compete and have chance to get their model horse qualified to compete on the next level, which is nationals. The host of a show applies for membership, then once accepted the show is designated as a NAMHSA recognized show. Then when any horse who places first and second in each NAMHSA selected classes; the shower will receive a colored index card which qualifies the horse. Results will be recorded with NAMSHA. NAN cards qualify the horse at the following NAN shows: 2016 / 2017 / 2018 / 2019. **Note: Youth and Novice divisions are NOT NAN Qualifying***
A great thing about showing model horses in comparison to the real thing, you do not have to worry about the vet bills, blacksmith, feed bill, exercise, and best of all you can leave the truck and trailer at home. One shower loves the idea of hauling her entire show string in a shoe box. You can learn and compete in many breeds and disciplines, learn to make your own customs, tack, and props. The only things you’ll need to understand are breeds standards, performance discipline rules; dust your models off and place it in the ring and the model does all the work to win you your next ribbon.
First thing is to find a show! Read over the rules and send in your entry and fee A.S.A.P because shows fill up quick and your may run out dead line or entry tables. Go through your horses to pick which ones are going and which classes they need to show in. Pack your horses head of time so give you time to remember everything. Don't forget to pack extra goodies, like snacks, tags, pens, paper, scissors and anything else you may need. Show up early little before the doors open. The show has a set up time where you unload and unpack your horses. This is a good time to place your horses in order so they don't fall and set up in order of your first class and other classes following. The start time is the time the judge will start their judging for the first class. Remember be courteous and don't stand so close to the table while the judge is doing her job. Once the horses have been pinned and the judge gives the ok to remove your horse from the table, then you can take your horse. If your horses place 1st and 2nd place your horse may have a call back for placing of Champion and Reserve Champion. Be attentive on what is going on and don't get upset if you miss a class, "We all have miss a class or two" while we are enjoying our new and old friends. Be kind and send a thank you card or help out with the show any way you can. Shows are very stressful on the host and she needs all the help she can get.
Questions:
1. How many horses can I show? The entry fee is open to as many horses you can show, but if you are new the good number is about 20-30 horses.
2. Can I show the same horse in every class? No, this is where you need to study your model and decided what breed your model best represent and show him/her in that proper class. If you need help ask your trainer, 4H leader or buy a great horse encyclopedia and do your research on different breeds even the ones around the world.
3. How long does the show last? Depends on how many classes are in a show and how quickly people can pick up there horses once they have been pinned. I have seen shows end at 5pm, and some have ran after midnight. Hopefully the one at the AL horse fair around 5-8pm depending all divisions and how smoothly they run. (youth much sooner)
4. Can I entry all my horses in one breed. Depends on the number horses allowed in a particular show, some show holders may only allow 2 to 5 depends on how big the show is. Read over your show rules. Have fun and show different breeds.
5. Is there a show results? Again this depends on the show holder. For open classes the host has to report to NAMHSA only 1st and 2nd place horses.
6. May I ask questions to the judge? You may ask before and after classes, not while she is judging. There are several seasonal showers in the room you can ask many different other question to learn more about model horse showing.
7. Can I win a NAMHSA card? If you show in the open division (not youth or Novice division) any horses who placed 1st and 2nd will win a NAN card. (note youth and novice is not just limited to their division your welcome to show both open and their division, but theses classes are to help a give a good understanding of showing in open division).
8. Why is there a color picture or breed information next to that horses? This is where the horse owner is shows she has done her homework in studying what that model best breed may look like. This is great place to show off new or different breeds or horse color that is uncommon.
9. Why do models have white tag on their legs? This is where the owner places the horses name, gender, breed and owners name or initials. This helps make sure the horse in the right class and the judge will write down the horses name and owners initials for the results.
10. What name do I used for my model horse? You can use any name you want for that horse. You can get creative, use register horse names, or just name them after your family pets.
11. Can I lay my model down on the table if he is not stable? Most diffidently, few models out there is little wobbly and the last thing you want to see him fall over or worse fall off the table. Use a small material to lay him down on.
12. How do I pack my models to go to a model horse show? You can use any material that can be used to wrap every part their bodies, in the past I have used old towels, shirts, pillow cases, fabric, bubble wrap, tissue paper, or even toilet paper. Pay extra attention to ears, tails, hooves, that can easily break or rub. You can purchase large tubs that have wheels help get your horses from the car to show hall.
13. What is the judge is looking for? The judge is looking at several things, like breed standards, conformation, craftsmanship, most of all condition. If your horses have rubs, or scratches the best thing is to leave them at home. Once the horse is on table "show ring" make a last look over your horse for fuzz, dust, or animal hair, this would make a difference first place or last....
14. Keep up your show string and their placing. Use word document or spread sheet of horses name, breed, classes and placing. This help you know what horses do well. Don't get disappointed if your favorite horse does not place, there is other shows you be surprise and your horse may place higher next time.
15. I bought my model at the local yard sale. What is this model? There are many sources out there even books on their value and information on that mold. Here is a great start. http://identifyyourbreyer.com/index.html
16. I live some where there is no place to buy model horses, where would I find model horses? There is all sort of places on line like Ebay, Model horse Sales Pages, Auction Barn, but be very cautious who you buying from. You may contact Breyer and ask for local stores that might sell them like tack shops and toys stores.
Other great things you can do with model horses!
-Breeding model horses
-Photo showing
-Tack making
-Carts and Buggy making
-Doll making
-Customizing
-Obstacles making
-scenes design
If you have any more question please send me an email and I'll be glad to answer it and place it on this board for others to read. [email protected]