Kuchi

There is a fairy tale quality to Gypsy Vanner horses that people find enchanting. Their long manes and feathered legs, the light and bouncing quality of their gaits and their soulful eyes speak volumes of a time when these horses lived side-by-side with the gypsies that roamed the British Isles in colorful caravans. Bill and Wendy Ricci’s Kuchi, a spectacular 10-year-old Gypsy Vanner mare, is a stunning example of this rare breed. She is the first Gypsy Vanner horse ever born in the United States and she will be joining us at BreyerFest in July.

When the Riccis first saw Kuchi as a three-year-old in 2002, they immediately recognized her quality. “I knew we had something special in Kuchi the minute we saw her,” said Bill Ricci, who now owns the striking Gypsy Vanner mare with his wife.  “All I could say was ‘wow’.  It was her look, conformation, personality and presence.”

But Kuchi was owned at the time by U.S. Gypsy Vanner Society founders Dennis and Cindy Thompson who discovered the breed in the UK and were the first to import 16 Vanners to the US in 1996. Kuchi’s dam Bat was among that first group. “For the first two years we called her Baby Bat, because it took Cindy that long to come up with the perfect name,” recalled Thompson. “She found out there was a Gypsy tribe from Afghanistan that loved color and structural correctness and was also famous for a dance they did, the Hoochi Kuchi. It was a perfect fit because Kuchi has brilliant color, is structurally correct and dances when she walks.” 

Thompson agreed to sell Kuchi to the Riccis after his wife passed away, but he reserved two of Kuchi’s embryos to continue the bloodline. Because she is showing and in training, Kuchi has only given birth to one of her eight foals. The others were born via embryo transfer, a technology that is becoming more common with show horses.

So far, Kuchi has proven she can do it all. She’s been ridden Western in the Extreme Cowboy Challenge. She then went on to win the Wind Spirit Challenge at the first Horse Capital Expo in Ocala, Florida, a timed event that had her competing against horses of a variety of breeds. She is currently in dressage training and is doing quite well. And that doesn’t count her career as the super-model of Gypsy Vanners! Her image graces numerous calendars and books and now she is a Breyer portrait model!

BreyerFest guests will have the rare opportunity to meet Kuchi and her owner. Kuchi would love to see you!  

Darlene Geiser and Heart's Uncle

Ever wonder how police horses remain calm under gun fire or while controlling a raucous crowd? Guests at BreyerFest will have the rare opportunity to learn first hand when they meet police Sergeant Darlene Geiser and Bold’s Obsession. Geiser and Bold’s Obsession will demonstrate the many skills police horses learn to behave effectively and safely in the often tumultuous work day of an equine law enforcement officer.

Geiser, who first performed at BreyerFest in 1997, is making a return appearance this summer. She will be performing with Bold’s Obsession, better known as “Heart,” but her first appearance was with Heart’s uncle Bold Reflection. Heart’s stellar demonstrations and training clinics have made him a popular performer, following in the footsteps of his famous uncle. Heart has set the example for police horse training. He is able to show the officers where they should be with their mounts as well as lead the horses through their training. Heart isn’t only a performer, he is kind enough to tolerate children pulling his tail and wheelchairs moving under his nose.  Police mounts must also stand still when being hit with unexpected objects and Heart is calm when firecrackers explode and balls fly through the air.  

Heart’s uncle, Bold’s Reflection, nicknamed Bold, passed on his sweet temperament and enthusiasm to work to his nephew. Heart and Bold spent a few months together before Bold passed away, but these months proved to be very valuable to Heart. How better to learn the ropes of police training than from Heart’s mentor, Uncle Bold. Together, Bold and Geiser taught Heart how to be a leader to other police horses.

Geiser and her husband, Terry, have retired from the Florida police department but still teach mounted police officers at the local, state and federal levels. The Geisers have also taught the U.S. Marine Color Guard.

At BreyerFest, Heart and Geiser will demonstrate some of the desensitizing exercises that made him famous and that are invaluable training exercises that are beneficial to all horses no matter what their “work” might be.  Don’t miss them!

By combining her passion for horses with her love of writing, author Annie Wedekind has written two wonderful books that seem destined to earn her a place next to such revered authors as Marguerite Henry and Anna Sewell. Wild Blue and Little Prince, her introductory novels from Feiwel and Friends’ new Breyer Horse Collection series, tell heartfelt horse stories from the horse’s perspective.  And this July, the Louisville native returns to Bluegrass Country to introduce her novels at BreyerFest!

Wild Blue is the story of a mustang Appaloosa named Blue whose quest to remain free in the wild takes her closer than she ever wanted to mankind and modernity. ‘Phin,’ the hero of Little Prince, has a different journey. When the pampered show pony is ‘retired’ to a farm far from the posh city life he’s grown accustomed to, he learns the true meaning of home and friendship. Both books are available now so get your copy today!

Wedekind grew up riding horses in Louisville, Ky.  Since then, she’s been in the saddle in every place she’s lived, from Providence to New Orleans, and from South Africa to Brooklyn. She still loves horses and rides at every opportunity.  “I can’t wait to attend BreyerFest,” said Wedekind. “I named my first Breyer model Sunshine and he has been with me everywhere I’ve ever lived!  To be able to introduce my books to people who love horses and Breyer models as much as I do, will be a truly memorable experience.”

At BreyerFest, Annie will be reading from her novels and will sign copies of her books in the Craft Activity Center every day. 

Templeton Thompson and Jane

Her Texas charm and stunning smile are infectious and within minutes of meeting Templeton Thompson, you’ll be lifelong friends.  She is quick to say that she is working her dream job, combining her passion for music with her love of horses to become an accomplished singer/songwriter.

Templeton has written songs for country superstars like Reba McEntire, Jo Dee Messina and Little Texas.  Her song, “Settle Down Cinderella” is even featured in the movie Dr. Doolittle 3.  She has recorded three CDs of her own and has performed for audiences across the US, in Europe and in Japan - often from the back of a horse!

Speaking of horses, Templeton has two horses of her very own - Jane (registered as Elle Bar Conclusion) and Jane’s half-brother Beau.  She affectionately refers to both horses as her “guardian angels.”  Templeton’s passion for horses is most obvious in her music and you will be hard-pressed to find a Templeton Thompson song that does not mention horses and riding! 

When Sam Gay, Templeton’s husband and business partner, approached Breyer for a special model for Templeton’s latest music video, we were eager to help.  Her latest single “girls and horses” is a song that every horse-crazy girl can understand.  As the lyrics proclaim, what is it about girls and horses? 

Breyer created a portrait model of Templeton’s horse Jane to be featured in the music video along with other Breyer horses and accessories.  Templeton and team are working hard to finish their new music video for the world premiere at BreyerFest! 

The special Jane portrait model will be autographed by Templeton and available for bid in our BreyerFest silent auction.  Templeton will be donating the other Breyer props from the music video to the EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association), an organization to which she is worldwide ambassador. 

As Templeton always says, “dream big, work hard and have faith.”

The Saddle Club^TM heroines - Stevie, Lisa and Carole - are getting back in the saddle this summer to launch their new cd, “Best Friends,” in North America at BreyerFest®.  The girls - Victoria Campbell (Carole), Ariel Kaplan (Lisa) and Lauren Dixon (Stevie) - are the stars of the popular live-action TV series about three 12-year-old girls and their horses, based on the best-selling books by Bonnie Bryant. The Saddle Club^TM has captured the hearts and imaginations of kids around the world. A book, television, licensing and merchandising success story, The Saddle Club^TM is a global brand with a loyal following.  Breyer Animal Creations® holds the master toy license for The Saddle Club^TM in North America and BreyerFest® is its annual collector festival and horse fair.

 ”We are thrilled to be able to bring the stars of The Saddle Club^TM to BreyerFest® to launch “Best Friends,” said David Williams, President of Shock Australia, which has produced the album. “The enthusiastic reception to “Best Friends” from “The Saddle Club” fans has been phenomenal. It reached #8 on the Pop Singles charts in France and it’s been wildly popular in Australia.”

On “Best Friends,” the girls sing about the things that matter most to a young girl - fun, friendship and of course, horses. The 12-song cd of hit songs also features 12 karaoke tracks, including a new version of their famous theme song, “Hello World.”

Meet Lauren, Ariel and Victoria at BreyerFest this summer!   They will entertain in the Covered Arena each day and will be available for autograph signing and photo opportunities in the Craft Activity Center!  Don’t miss your chance to see the cast in action at BreyerFest!