BreyerFest 2017 Store Specials

I know I posted some preview pictures of this year's BreyerFest store specials, but I thought it might be nice to take some time to get to know the horses (and dog) behind those models!

First up, we have Repeat the Beat - a Tennessee Walking horse that was formerly a part of the high-stepping breed circuit, but now turned jumper! Pete, as he is known by his family, competes in Jumpers, Handy Hunters, and even Three-Day Eventing. Standing at only 15.1 hands and sporting a flashy black roan sabino coloring, Pete proves that you should never judge a horse by their breed.

Pete's portrait model on the Bluegrass Bandit mold. 

Pete's original owners on the Spotted Saddle Horse circuit believed that the then Two-Year-Old World Champion, and so sold him to Lisa Murray shortly after so that he could have a lovely home being trail ridden with her daughter, Jeren. He never took to trail riding, either, always extremely tense under saddle on the trails.

After one day of some friends of the Murrays' riding Pete over fences on the trails, Lisa and Jeren noticed how calm and focused the gelding seemed to be and it was decided that Pete would begin his career in over fence work.

A photo from Pete's time on the UK Eventing team.
Photo by Rachel Norton.

Next on our list are the "dynamic duo" themselves. No, I don't mean Batman and Robin- I'm talking about Dally and Spanky!

As a two-year-old, Spanky the Miniature Horse was rescued by Francesca and Steve of Rother Horsemanship. Apparently the little gelding was a handful to start with, as all ponies are, but developed into a quick favorite throughout the barn. 

Eventually, Spanky was taught a multitude of tricks, and one day Dally, the Rothers' Jack Russell Terrier, took an interest in those tricks. Hopping atop of Spanky during one of Francesca's training sessions so she could get a better look, Dally has been learning tricks alongside her Miniature Horse friend every since!

Look forward to more Breyerfest Special Run announcements and stick around for the actual event in July!

Spotlight - Marwari

Seeing as this year's BreyerFest theme is "Gateway to India" and the Celebration Horse is one of my favorite breeds of all time, I thought I would do a breed spotlight on...

The ever-lovely... Marwari!

The breed first came around in the 12th century and was used as a cavalry horse by the Marwar people. It started to deteriorate in the 1930s, but thanks to a good number of fantastic breeders, the Marwari is back and better than ever!

Marwaris can come in most colors outside of Appaloosa patterns, but some colors are favored. In India, though white horses are usually bred for specific religious reasons, white coats don't often occur in Marwaris. Gray horses are considered to be the most valuable with pintos coming in at a close second. Black horses are said to be unlucky as black is a symbol for death and darkness. 

(Jeez! I like black horses. I like black horses a lot!)

And check out those EARS!

The characteristic that this breed is the most well-known for, Marwaris' ears curve inward at the tips. Isn't that something? I think it makes for some adorable facial expressions.

Might be considered "unlucky," but he is SUPER cute.

Breyer has one Marwari mold, and (like the breed,) it is also one of my favorites. But they haven't used it very often. 

Originally sculpted by Brigitte Eberl for the Premier Club in 2012, the Marwari mold started production as a pinto named Kalahkaari.

Then came a Live Auction lot in a soft palomino pinto.

Then the Regular Run model in a bright palomino that is now discontinued.

A special run for BreyerFest 2015, Haute Couture. However, the mold was changed. Given a new mane, tail, and ears, this mold is no longer a Marwari.

Then there were more Live Auction lots:

And a Collector Club special named Rajah in 2014:

Now, for this year's Celebration Horse... Nadruddin! This was the only image I could find of our 2017 Celebration Horse, but he is a cutie.

I think he makes for a very good portrait horse, and I'm excited to say that we should be coming home with at least one of him! Don't forget to check back for BreyerFest and Equilocity updates come July!