| Model Horse Collecting - A Hobby for All Ages Model horses have been around as long as man has loved the horse. Ancient Egyptians buried miniature horse statues with their pharaohs to guard him in the afterlife, and hundreds of nearly life-sized horse sculptures were unearthed in China several years ago as part of an emperor's tomb. Where man has loved the horse, he has portrayed the horse in art. Modern model horse collecting began in the 1950's when an American plastics manufacturing company called Breyer Molding Company was stuck with an order of horse-shaped clock bases commissioned by Mastercrafters Clock Company but never paid for. Thinking quickly, the company repackaged the horse bases as toys and distributed them through Woolworth's stores. To their surprise and delight, the horses sold out quickly, and Woolworth's called looking for more. A new hobby was born! Model horse collecting takes many forms. For some collectors, the thrill is in the chase - finding that rare color, that special model, a discontinued style. For others, the challenge is in the realism. Model horse collectors strive to portray the horse and horse-related sports in exacting detail in miniature. Some collector artisans create exact replica bridles, saddles, barns, outbuildings, riders dolls in costume, and even other farm yard animals such as cows and calves for 'steer roping contests'! Other collectors enjoy customizing their own models. These collectors take unpainted models and painstakingly repaint or reposition the models to create one-of-a-kind model horse art. Model horse hobbyists enjoy showing off their models in two types of events: photo shows and live shows. Photo shows are events in which collectors take photographs of their models in suitable realistic poses, using props to enact real horse show events, such as halter classes, Western pleasure, English huntseat, dressage, or even rodeo sports. Photographs are marked on the back with the model's name, age, breed, and other information, then sent to a judge who assesses each class on 'real' horse show rules. Winners receive ribbons, prizes,and points for national championships. Live model horse shows are a combination of competition, shopping, and plain fun! Participants travel with their models and props to a site and place their models in a variety of classes again based on real horse show rules. To find live shows near you, contact NAMHSA - Live shows are held in the United States, Canada, and Europe. Model horse collecting now spans several generations. You can find mother-daughter and even grandmother-grandchild teams at live shows! It is a wonderful hobby for children; participation in the hobby encourages them to read (about horse), research (horse breeds, tack, names) and use their imagination. There's something for everyone in the model horse collecting hobby. EquinArt Creations Inc. is proud to be a new provider of quality model horse art for the hobby! |
About Model Horse Collecting
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| Serving collectors since 2004 NEW ADDRESS AS OF OCTOBER 1, 2007 1220 Hixburg Road (Rt 627), Prospect, VA 23960 General email equinartcreations@yahoo.com Visit us online at www.equinartcreations.com Telephone: NEW PHONE NUMBER 434-574-6253 FAX: 801-331-1432 |