I didn’t plan on entering the 2025 BCC. I kept repeating it like a broken record once submissions opened in February of 2025. But two weeks before entries were due, I felt the sudden urge to enter.
My first entry for the BCC was the book cart. There were issues with the actual cart making (soldering and metal working isn’t something for me to learn in 15 minutes), but absolutely loved making the harness. In 2024, I entered my English sidesaddle which ultimately was a finalist! It was correct but simple, so I knew I needed to up my game if I were to enter. So I decided to sit out 2025.
Until I didn’t.
Go big or go home was my motto when I landed on doing a Buffalo Soldier set up for the tack division. Different from the performance division, the tack division required entrants to make every piece, including dolls.
It doesn’t take much for me to buy a book, so over the last few years when I would go to library sales or bookstores and found something about the topic, I grabbed it.
The first step of making the set was research. I allowed myself to do a quick deep dive about the equipment and didn’t allow myself to chase other interesting rabbit holes. That took a lot of self control.
I defined what I was making:
This is a circa 1870s Buffalo Soldier set. After the Civil War, the US made segregated African American regiments to serve on the frontier. They are known for their work during the American Indian Wars but participated in conflicts and wars through World War I. The name ‘Buffalo Soldier’ is said to have come from Native Americans because of the curly hair texture of African American hair and also for their bravery in combat. Because of the racism of the time, the soldiers were often given secondhand uniforms and the poorest quality equipment and horses. They still made a huge impact on American history.
The set includes: McClellan Saddle, Calvary saddle pad, rifle, canteen, tin bucket, bridle, halter, blanket and jacket, saddle bag, feed bag, and saber. The doll features gloves, pistol, knife, blue shirt and light blue pants. The pants have lining for riding in the saddle. He also has boots with spurs, and also neckerchief, which were not issued but soldiers usually wore one of their own choosing to protect themselves from the thick clouds of dust.
This was a personal project because of my years of participating in rodeos and parades with Black riders wearing Buffalo Soldier gear. They want to keep the legacy alive because the Buffalo Soldiers did so much. Outside of being soldiers, they were even the original park rangers. They faced prejudice and still showed up. They believed in a better America.
After figuring out the time period, I did a chaotic sketch of what I needed.
From there it was pattern making time.
And then the actual making of the project. I bought US calvary bits and a saddle tree years ago so I didn’t have to wait for those items to show up.
I kept making piece after piece until the whole set was assembled.
After I finished the tack, it was time to make a doll. Since there’s never been a Black male Breyer doll, I created my own! I sculpted his hair and altered his facial structure a little bit.
Then it was time to make the clothes.
And here’s the finished set.
I submitted my photos and waited. I received the email that I was a finalist, which is still surreal.
I enjoyed every aspect of creating this.
Kristian Beverly 