Breyerfest

Breyerfest DIY

Kristian Beverly8 Comments

My sister made a t-shirt yesterday using a technique that was different from Silk Screening. So today I tried it out since it would be cool to have a studio tshirt. I used this how-to as a reference, and even though it dealt with words it is easy to apply to other shapes and designs. I also used my sister.

Before starting I made a pattern design.

Then I traced it onto the matte side of freezer paper.

Cut it out.

Ironed it onto the shirt.

Dabbed in the color I wanted.

Peeled it off, and done! So if you see a person wearing this shirt next week, it’s me!

The only con to this way of doing it is the pattern lasting, which is much shorter than silkscreening. But this is great for one time use.

Saddle, Bridle, and Tips

Kristian BeverlyLeave a comment

When you make progress at a reasonable time, murphy’s law happens and what can go wrong, will go wrong. After typing up some tips, I felt proud of myself and clicked send. Yep, instead it turned out the internet decided to go out. So the internet was out for the rest of the night.
So I did make progress on the saddle set. The reason why there’s only one skirt? I cut two that was in the same exact shape. Haha.

While waiting for leather to dry, I made myself a western pony bridle.

Also here’s some tips for if you’re entering the Children/Youth show.

1) Research is your friend. Reading about breeds, different performance classes, and learning about the model horse hobby in general helps. You’ll gain valuable knowledge. You’ll learn about the rules that performance classes have and learn about breeds. For model horses, knowing the rules is one of the most important parts of showing. For my breed and performance cards, I have started to put the source at the bottom of my card (yes, school can cross over into model horse showing!) so that I can remember where I got the info from.
2) Have at least one copy of the rules and class list.When I showed I printed a couple of copies of the class list and printed the guides so that I had a hard copy, just in case my laptop wasn’t working.
3) If you are new to showing and you have a ton of models, don’t bring all of them.If you are relatively new to showing, don’t bring too many models. This is a fast paced show, and if you are new to showing, bringing too many models will be an overload. Plus, if you overwhelm yourself, you won’t be able to see other entries and may end up with a pony or two in the Pony Pound. Try to bring only your best models.
4) Bring a cover for your table. If your models fall, at least there is protection for them.
5) In terms of performance, research is key.The breyer website has plenty of articles from making props to an introduction to performance showing. There are plenty of model horse blogs too that help. Remember to look up the rules for the class you’re showing in. Look at what’s legal and what isn’t and make a card that reflects what your horse is doing.

How To Pack Your ModelsFor all of the years I’ve gone to Breyerfest, I’ve gone by car. So if you fly or take a train, this may or may not help you. I’ve never flown or taken a train to Breyerfest.
What to Put Those Models InThere are many ways to transport your model horses. This is just my way of doing it. During my first couple of years of showing I used a suit case. It worked well for the couple of models I had. It’s okay. Not bad, not good. Just in the middle.
I use a clear plastic container now. The pros of it are that it’s easy to pack, you can stack stuff on top of it, it has a hard outside that will protect your models, and you can see through it. The con is that you have to carry it, but you can buy containers similar with wheels.
What to Pack Them With?Over the years I have used anything from blankets to that white pillow fluff to pack models in. Blankets are not the best idea. For one, you lay your models in layers on top of each other. If the models are not packed in tight enough, they can shift around and scratch each other. The white pillow fluff? It’s one of the worst packing materials for models. It does not give them any padding, and it leaves a white fluffy dust all over the models.
Bubble wrap is one of the best materials. I use this sometimes.It gives padding and each model can be individually wrapped. But beware of hot temperatures. The bubble wrap could melt and mess up your mode’s finish.
Pony pouches or drawstring bags work well too. All you have to do is stick your model in and tighten the string. Very fast and each model can have its own special bag. I also use these for my models. And t shirts always work. Models can be individually wrapped.
What Order?When it’s time to pack your models, try to organize them by putting the models that are used last in the bottom of your travel case, and putting the ones that are used first at the top. It’s always good to be prepared for being late. I also pack the night before.

My last tip is to HAVE FUN. Enjoy the day and make friends.
Feel free to ask any questions too.

**Unrelated: If anyone has a body or LSQ Harley D Zip that they’d like to trade, shoot me an email!

Throwback Future

Kristian Beverly14 Comments

Every year for Breyerfest, I get excited about the special runs, the celebration horse, but a small sentimental part of me is always excited about the prize models, specifically the Children/Youth ones. While they are just glossy versions of regular run models, the climax to months of research and preparing all takes place within a span of a couple of hours. I wonder who’ll win them this year and the back story to them.
My first Breyerfest was also my very first model horse show.

I went with my fellow horse crazy friend Madison. Since I had no idea really what I was doing, I was ecstatic when my newly bought Sundance won a second place ribbon and got placed into the championship ring with more experienced showers. I didn’t win a champion, but it was well worth it. I learned a ton about model horses and saw so many drool worthy horses. Real and model.

As the years went by, I got better( including with photography). Seriously, I have no pictures from my first Breyerfest. I most likely was still using one of those disposable ones, and believe me, I sucked at using even that!

My second year of showing (used 5 minute apoxie and nail polish).
Last big unrealistic custom I did, 2 years ago.

My first prize model was won with my Stage Mom model. And my glossy Rachel Alexandra is a permanent member of my herd.

The next year, the ill fated Buckbeak won me a Ravel.

As shocking as this will sound, I was my usual unorganized self the final time I could show in the Children/Youth Show. I hadn’t felt like even thinking about Breyerfest because the night before we were leaving, I had to put my rabbit asleep who I’d had at the time for the majority of my life. So I’d force-threw myself into finishing things and told myself to mourn when I got home.

I started showing and did better than ever.One of my favorite models won a champion for me in performance.

Then my endurance setup that I’d made won too and got a champion with that.

 And for overalls, I was called again! I got three glossies that day, and the energy and backstory to all of them will leave two forever with me. I may joke about wishing to be sixteen again so that I could show at Breyerfest again, but I would never really want to trade the laughter, tears, wonderful experiences I had showing. Which brings to today.

Today was my last day of high school. I cleared out my locker for the final time after taking my final exam. Most people tell me that I’ll miss high school. I won’t miss high school as a whole and I’d never ever would want to repeat it. The moments I’ve experienced I wouldn’t ever be able to repeat, no matter if I went back to high school for the rest of eternity (isn’t that a horrifying thought?).I’ll miss the moments, the happy smiles, the usual disagreements, but the eventual-ness of  my class being a class. I looked around in the empty classroom at the empty desks that’d never again be filled with my classmates. We were the new ghosts, a new group of graduates that would become a memory and picture. High school will be committed to pictures of people we’ll pull out of boxes stuffed with old yearbooks years from now, and  will vaguely remember big moments. Some faces will be forgotten. But I look to the future, filled with my memories and things I’ve learned that have made me into the person I am today. So I can’t wait to start my new school life, and my blooming model horse one.

Breyerfest Children/Youth Prize models!

Kristian BeverlyLeave a comment
It’s that time of year again! 
Today while I was scrolling on Facebook, I saw the lineup of prizes for those participating in the Breyerfest Children/Youth Show. They are droll worthy. The info was given by the show manager and none of the pictures belong to me. This is the first year that I can remember that the prize models were made public so early.

For those who are interested in the Breyerfest C/Y prizes for this year!
Grand Champion: glossed Lindsay’s Faith

Reserve Grand champion: glossed Northern Dancer


Champion: glossed Sshameless

Reserve: glossed Appaloosa Foals


Misc/Fun class first place winners: regular run Horse of the Year

Good luck to everyone entering!
(PS are there any Breyerfest-y topics that’s anyone interested in me covering?)