Getting Started with model horses

A beginners guide to participating in model horse shows

Choosing a horse

Is the horse realistic? Not a unicorn or pegasusColour

Choosing a horse

ConditionFree of rubs, breaks or chips. Your horse

should be mint, or without damage.

Choosing a horse

Is your horse in an appropriate pose?

Choosing a horse

Give your horse a personality! Name: AndyBreed: AndalusianGender: StallionAge: 6

Grooming and Showmanship For Grooming and Showmanship

you are required to have the following: Halter or Bridle for your horse Tack box w/ appropriate grooming

tools Showmanship Pattern A Breed description

Grooming and Showmanship Halters and Bridles

Western and stock breeds can be shown in a halter.

English horse and hunter breeds may be shown in a bridle

The lead rope should be placed over the horse’s shoulder, don’t let it dangle as this presents a dangerous situation!

Grooming and Showmanship Some breeds have special halters

or bridles that they are shown in.

Grooming and Showmanship

What is required in your tack box? Hoof pick, curry comb, brush, bucket,

sponge, leg wraps, leadline, shampoo, mane and tail comb, saddle soap

Other items are encouraged!! Make as many from scratch as your

can Make sure things are in scale with your

horse.

Grooming and Showmanship Patterns

Use a pattern from a show you have attended or make up your own.

The pattern should be neatly drawn on a card no bigger than 5x8

Grooming and Showmanship

Breed description This should be no more than 100 words! Should be written by the member, don’t

just copy from a book or print out a computer page.

Make sure you list your source Check for spelling and grammar errors! Type or print NEATLY!!

Grooming and Showmanship

Setting up you entry

Halter and breed classes

What do you need to enter Halter classes?

NO scenery or handler dolls.

Halters and Bridles are optional.

Breed descriptions

Any breed in any pose will work

What are they judged on?

50% on the model (and tack if used)

50% on the breed description.

Halter and breed classes

Judging: The Model and TackModel should be free of rubs, scratches, or breaks

Halter and breed classes

Judging: The Model and Tack

Model should display appropriate breed characteristics

Halter and breed classes

Your model may be in any pose for this class!

Halter and breed classes

Judging: The Model and TackTack should be breed appropriate

Tack should be well fitted

Halter and breed classes

Breed descriptionThis should be no more than 100 words!

Should be written by the member, don’t just copy from a book or print out a computer page.

Make sure you list your source

Check for spelling and grammar errors!

Type or print NEATLY!!

Pleasure and Performance classes What’s the difference? Pleasure classes are just the model in

appropriate class. No scenery. A brief description is required stating what the horse is doing and what type of tack it is wearing.

Performance Classes require a scene or diorama. You will need “props” to compete in these. A brief description is needed telling about your entry and a pattern if the class calls for one.

Pleasure and Performance classesChoosing a horse!

Your horse must be in an appropriate pose. Your horse may be any breed for most of the

classes. The only real exceptions are breed specific classes.

For example, you wouldn’t put a Quarter Horse in an Arabian Costume Class….

Pleasure and Performance classesTack!

Check your 4-H rulebook or visit the USEF website to learn what type is required for your entry.

Make sure that it is well fitted to your model. Try making your own tack! At our 4-H show,

tack that is homemade will place higher than commercially made tack.

Pleasure and Performance classesSetting up for Performance!

You will be given a limited area to set up your entry in, so be creative with your horse’s pose!

Make sure that you have all appropriate props to make your entry realistic and that they are in scale with the horse.

Judging is 50% on the model, tack and set up and 50% on the description provided.

Pleasure and Performance classesEvent description

Be sure to tell exactly what the horse is doing. This should be no more than 100 words! Should be written by the member, don’t just

copy from a book or print out a computer page. Make sure you list your source Check for spelling and grammar errors! Type or print NEATLY!! Provide a pattern for the event if needed.

Pleasure and Performance classes

Pleasure and Performance classesExample of Western Perf. Entry

Pleasure and Performance classes

Pleasure and Performance classes

Pleasure and Performance classesExamples of Driving entries

Where can I buy Models

Tractor Supple Company, Ollies, TJ Maxx and tack shops (Stagecoach West in NY)

You can also buy online. Ebay is a great place to find vintage models or you can shop on Breyer’s website, also Model Horse Sales Page is a great place to check!

How do I make Tack?

Tack Making Kits are available:Rio Rondo Enterprises

Unicorn Woman Tack

Search Online for How-to guides

Check Model Horse Sales Pages for how to guides and kits

Reference Photos

Using Google Image search, find reference photos for breeds, costumes and performance entries. You can include these with your entry to help add validity to what you’ve created!

Magazines and Books

Currently Breyer has the most readily available Model Horse Magazine: Just About Horses (JAH)

The Breyer Guide: Currently in its 5th edition

Most of all, HAVE FUN!!