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Model horse showing is a hobby built around the collection of scale model horses, with equal focus on honouring the (real) horse show industry as well as the artistic merit of the miniatures.
Model horse shows consist primarily of two divisions: Halter and Performance. There are both Halter-only and Performance-only shows, though many larger shows will include both. [1] [2] Often there are up to three shows run side-by-side: Youth, Novice and/or Open. [3] Individual shows will make their own guidelines for what qualifies entry to each of these categories.
Several abbreviations commonly occur: OF (Original Finish), CM (Custom) and AR (Artist Resin).
These classes evaluate how a model represents the actual breed of horse. The divisions and judging criteria are derived from their real-life counterparts. Although known as "Halter", no tack or costume is required on the model, and it is generally omitted.
Halter can be further broken down into subdivisions based on manufacturing medium to equalize the different fields of craftsmanship. Common subdivisions include:
These classes evaluate the rarity and condition of models. Documentation as to why a given model is collectible (i.e. very low number produced, very hard to find due to age, unrealistic colours etc.) is often presented with the entry. Some shows require documentation. Many collectibility divisions also include classes for non-equine models. Models in this division are always Original Finish models.
These classes evaluate the finishwork of the model. Preparation work on the model before final painting, any re-sculpting work, and final painting are all considered. These models are never Original Finish models, although they may have begun as OF models.
The Performance classes focuses more on the model, its pose, and its suitability to real-life tasks. Performance divisions requires suitable tack for the model, and sometimes a rider and/or backdrop. Props such as jumps, fences and other animals may also be allowed. Common classes include:
"Live Shows" are events where model horses may be shown and judged. These take place throughout the year in many countries, and are often regulated by a larger live showing organisation such as NAMHSA (North American Model Horse Showers Association) in the United States [4] and BECF (British Equine Collectors' Forum) in Great Britain. [5] At these shows, first and second place in many classes can qualify a model for a yearly championship - this is commonly referred to as "NANing", as NAMHSA-qualified horses receive "NAN" (North American Nationals) cards. [6] Listings of approved upcoming shows are maintained by these organisations.
For most live shows there is an entry fee, which varies depending on the table space taken up by the entrant (full table or half table). [7] Proxy showing, whereby a collector's model is shown by another, may also be allowed for a fee. [8]
Live shows can vary in scale, from large weekend-long shows coinciding with other events, to smaller shows held in the organiser's house. [9] Shows may offer ribbons, rosettes or prizes (often model horses) for any number of places; [9] however shows advertised as "no-frills" tend to award paper ribbons for lower placings to reduce costs and entry fees. [10] Live shows often have vendors present selling model horse and equestrian-related goods. Many showers also sell or trade models at shows.
Horses are sometimes required to have information about the entry (including name, breed and gender) on either a tag attached to the off-side hind leg of model, [9] or on a regulation-size card. Breed/colour/performance references may be placed on the table beside the horse, depending on the table size and number of horses in the class as stated in the show guidelines. [11] Often large books are not allowed.
"Photo showing" is a way of showing one's model horse collection without the risk and expense of transporting it to a live show. Photo shows can contain any of the classes found in live shows, including Halter, Performance and Collectibility classes.
Photo showing originated as an alternative to "live" showing. Photo showing originally involved taking photographs of the models and posting them to the show holder, to be judged alongside other entrants; this is now referred to as 'postal showing' and has become less popular with the invention of the internet. The majority of photo showing now takes place online. Photos may be emailed directly to the show holder or upload to various web services, such as YouTube, Instagram or Facebook. Photo shows are typically not registered with a higher body such as NAMHSA, and are run on a more adhoc basis, therefore can only be found through searching social networks.
Photo shows are judged taking into account the same criteria as in live shows, but it may also take into account the quality of the photo (background, framing, lighting etc.) and how representative the photos are of the horse. Shows may place requirements on how many views of the model are photographed (i.e. on-side, off-side, head-shot, markings). Information about the entrant (such as class, model name, breed and gender) is usually included before the photo in the case of a video entry, or in a caption or description in the case of a photo entry. Reference photos of real-life animals or breed information may be included to support breed or colour choices for a particular model. As with live-showing, models are not always shown as the breed the manufacturer intended to represent, and less common but well-chosen breeds are often believed to be favoured by judges.
Due to the nature of photo showing, the requirement for an entrance fee can vary. Postal showing typically required a fee which may include the cost of returning the photos. Online showing is generally free, but some club-run shows require an entrance fee or paid membership. [12] Shows run through social networks are almost always free, but rarely have material prizes.
Photo showing may also be preferred for models which may not be in a suitable condition for live showing; this is often referred as Photo Show Quality (PSQ) as opposed to Live Show Quality (LSQ). [13] These terms are often used when selling models in order to indicate their suitability for showing. They may also be referred to as Live-Show Proven (LSP) to indicate they have been placed in a class in a live show; such models may come with any rosettes/ribbons that they have won.
The American Quarter Horse, or Quarter Horse, is an American breed of horse that excels at sprinting short distances. Its name is derived from its ability to outrun other horse breeds in races of a quarter mile or less; some have been clocked at speeds up to 55 mph (88.5 km/h). The Quarter Horse breed began when colonists in the 1600s on the Eastern seaboard of what today is the United States began to breed imported English Thoroughbred horses with assorted "native" horses. This included the Chickasaw horse, which was a breed developed by Native American people from horses descended from Spain and brought to the United States by the Conquistadors. These horses were developed from Iberian, Arabian and Barb stock brought to what is now the Southeastern United States.
Horse breeding is reproduction in horses, and particularly the human-directed process of selective breeding of animals, particularly purebred horses of a given breed. Planned matings can be used to produce specifically desired characteristics in domesticated horses. Furthermore, modern breeding management and technologies can increase the rate of conception, a healthy pregnancy, and successful foaling.
A horse show is a judged exhibition of horses and ponies. Many different horse breeds and equestrian disciplines hold competitions worldwide, from local to the international levels. Most horse shows run from one to three days, sometimes longer for major, all-breed events or national and international championships in a given discipline or breed. Most shows consist of a series of different performances, called classes, wherein a group of horses with similar training or characteristics compete against one another for awards and, often, prize money.
The Tennessee Walking Horse or Tennessee Walker is a breed of gaited horse known for its unique four-beat running-walk and flashy movement. It was originally developed in the southern United States for use on farms and plantations. It is a popular riding horse due to its calm disposition, smooth gaits and sure-footedness. The Tennessee Walking Horse is often seen in the show ring, but is also popular as a pleasure and trail riding horse using both English and Western equipment. Tennessee Walkers are also seen in movies, television shows and other performances.
A breed registry, also known as a herdbook, studbook or register, in animal husbandry and the hobby of animal fancy, is an official list of animals within a specific breed whose parents are known. Animals are usually registered by their breeders while they are young. The terms studbook and register are also used to refer to lists of male animals "standing at stud", that is, those animals actively breeding, as opposed to every known specimen of that breed. Such registries usually issue certificates for each recorded animal, called a pedigree, pedigreed animal documentation, or most commonly, an animal's "papers". Registration papers may consist of a simple certificate or a listing of ancestors in the animal's background, sometimes with a chart showing the lineage.
A livestock show is an event where livestock are exhibited and judged on certain phenotypical breed traits as specified by their respective breed standard. Species of livestock that may be shown include pigs, cattle, sheep, goats, horses, llamas and alpacas. Poultry such as chickens, geese, ducks, turkeys and pigeons are also shown competitively. A livestock show may be part of an agricultural show.
Hunt seat is a style of forward seat riding commonly found in North American horse shows. Along with dressage, it is one of the two classic forms of English riding. The hunt seat is based on the tradition of fox hunting. Hunt seat competition in North America includes both flat and over fences for show hunters, which judge the horse's movement and form, and equitation classes, which judge the rider's ability both on the flat and over fences. The term hunt seat may also refer to any form of forward seat riding, including the kind seen in show jumping and eventing.
Showmanship is an event found at many horse shows. The class is also sometimes called "Fitting and Showmanship", "Showmanship In-Hand", "Showmanship at Halter" or "Halter Showmanship" It involves a person on the ground leading a horse, wearing a halter or bridle, through a series of maneuvers called a pattern. The horse itself is not judged on its conformation. Rather, the exhibitor is judged on how well he or she exhibits the animal to its best advantage, with additional scoring for the grooming and presentation of both horse and handler.
Model horses are scale replicas of real horses. They originated simultaneously—but independently—in the USA, Canada, and the UK, followed later by Sweden (UK-influenced), Germany (US-influenced), Australia. They encompass a wide variety of fanbase activities, from those who simply like to collect, to those who enthusiastically show their models at model horse shows. Unlike model cars or trains, model horse collectibles do not need to be assembled from kits, although they can be altered to the collector's liking.
Western riding is considered a style of horse riding which has evolved from the ranching and welfare traditions which were bought to the Americans by the Spanish Conquistadors, as well as both equipment and riding style which evolved to meet the working needs of the cowboy in the American West. At the time, American cowboys had to work long hours in the saddle and often over rough terrain, sometimes having to rope a cattle using a lariat, also known as a lasso. Because of the necessity to control the horse with one hand and use a lariat with the other, western horses were trained to neck rein, that is, to change direction with light pressure of a rein against the horse's neck. Horses were also trained to exercise a certain degree of independence in using their natural instincts to follow the movements of a cow, thus a riding style developed that emphasized a deep, secure seat, and training methods encouraged a horse to be responsive on very light rein contact.
Breyer Animal Creations, is primarily a manufacturer of model horses. Founded in 1950, the company, now a division of Reeves International, Inc, specializes in model horses made from cellulose acetate, a form of plastic, and produces other animal models from the same material as well. Less well known are its porcelain horse figures, which are aimed at the adult collector market. The company also produces model tack accessories and horse-related structures, such as stables, barns, and grooming implements in scale to its model horses.
Halter is a type of horse show class where horses are shown "in hand," meaning that they are led, not ridden, and are judged on their conformation and suitability as breeding stock. Depending on breed and geographic region, such events may be called "Halter," "In-Hand," "Breeding," "Model," or "Conformation" classes.
The show hack is a type of ridden show horse, exhibited to a standard first established in England.
The National Snaffle Bit Association (NSBA) is an equestrian organization in the United States that began by promoting and staging Pleasure riding events. Since then, several more disciplines have been added. It was founded in 1983. It is currently headquartered in Gurnee, Illinois, United States. The NSBA has a partnership with the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) in order that both associations can benefit from the many rules and regulations they have in common.
Khemosabi (1967–2001) was a bay Arabian stallion with four stockings and a blaze, who had significant accomplishments in the horse show ring, winning multiple National Championships in both halter and western pleasure performance competition. These wins earned him the highest level achievement award offered by the Arabian Horse Association: the Legion of Masters. In the course of his breeding career, he sired over 1200 foals. Of these, over 300 were show champions and 75 won national championships.
This is a basic glossary of equestrian terms that includes both technical terminology and jargon developed over the centuries for horses and other equidae, as well as various horse-related concepts. Where noted, some terms are used only in American English (US), only in British English (UK), or are regional to a particular part of the world, such as Australia (AU).
Magnum Psyche is a chestnut Arabian stallion foaled May 2, 1995. He is sired by Padrons Psyche and out of A Fancy Miracle. His grandsires are *Padron and *Sasaki. He is owned by the Haras Mayed stud near Buenos Aires Argentina, which is owned by Fernando and Joaquin Santibanes. For many years he has stood at stud in the United States and is closely associated with the trainer David Boggs.
For the plant horsetail see Equisetum.
Poco Pine (1954–1974) was an American Quarter Horse stallion and breeding stallion. He earned 50 Grand Championships in his showing career and after his death was inducted into the American Quarter Horse Association's AQHA Hall of Fame in 2010. Two of his descendants have also been inducted into the AQHA Hall of Fame. 37 of his offspring earned an AQHA Championship during their own showing careers.
GTR Patricks Vindicator is a registered American Miniature Horse gelding, foaled in South Carolina at GTR Mini Ranch. He is most commonly known as "Patrick" or "Patrick The Miniature Horse". He is a sorrel, with one blue eye (left), a blaze, and a coronet with white hoof. He measures at 33.5 inches tall, and is registered with the American Miniature Horse Association (AMHA) and the American Miniature Horse Registry (AMHR) He was purchased by Byrd's End Farm on July 4, 1998, and has been located in Shepherdsville, Ky ever since. He now competes at sanctioned and non-sanctioned Miniature Horse shows, performs therapy work and exhibits at notable events across Kentucky.