Showing Model Horses Around the World

By Vincent Lange

Breyer model horses aren’t just collectibles – they’re a passport into a global hobby that celebrates horses in miniature. Across the world, dedicated collectors polish their models, craft detailed tack, and prepare documentation for the spotlight of live shows. But while the heart of the hobby – the love of the horse – is the same everywhere, each country has developed its own unique flavor of competition.

From the prestige of the BreyerFest Open Show in Kentucky to the qualification-driven championships of the U.K., the passionate community in Germany and the growing scene in Australia, let’s take a trip around the world to see how model horse showing looks in different corners of the globe.

United States: The Big Stage at BreyerFest

Every July, Lexington, Kentucky becomes the beating heart of the Breyer world. BreyerFest draws thousands of fans to Kentucky, and for serious model horse showers, the BreyerFest Open Show is the pinnacle of the weekend.

Walking into the show hall is overwhelming – rows upon rows of tables are lined with thousands of horses, from shiny original finish pieces straight out of the box to painstakingly customized works of art. At what other show will you see over 50 Alborozos on one table!? Competitors travel from all over the U.S., and often from overseas, to compete in what is widely considered the most prestigious Breyer show on earth.

The level of competition here is anything but casual. Entrants’ models are judged on everything from their conformation and realism to their performance set-ups. Documentation is greatly encouraged to make your model stand out from the other hundred models on the table, and now is even mandatory for Original Finish Breyer models. A single rosette from the Open Show is a trophy in itself, and overall champions often gain international recognition in the hobby.

What makes the BreyerFest Open Show special is not just the competition, but the atmosphere in which it exists. Outside the show hall, BreyerFest offers real horses, celebrity equine guests, artist signings, and a shopping frenzy unlike any other. For many, the Open Show is both a proving ground and a reunion with hobby friends from around the world.

United Kingdom: BMECS and the Road to Qualification

Across the Atlantic, the U.K. takes a more structured approach to high-level shows with the British Model Equine Championship Show (BMECS). Unlike the BreyerFest Open Show, which anyone can sign up for as long as spaces are available, you can’t just walk in with your horses – you have to earn your place.

Over time, U.K. showers collect qualification cards at local and regional live shows. Only horses that place highly are awarded cards, and only those cards open the doors to showing these models at BMECS, the U.K.’s answer to NAMHSA’s (North American Model Horse Shows Association) North American Nationals championship show. This system adds a layer of prestige: winning at BMECS means your horse has proven itself time and time again.

However, the atmosphere at BMECS is not as competitive as the Open Show and very community-driven. The show is two days long and therefore not rushed, so there is enough time to chat with everyone. There is even a little corner with just vendors so you can show and shop at the same time. With a strong emphasis on fun classes and a big variety of different models on display – from chinas and felted pieces to the unique rubber “CTF” (Craft/Toy/Foundation) models – BMECS has definitely a unique and family feel to it. The event might be smaller than the BreyerFest Open Show, but the pride of a BMECS win runs just as deep.

Germany: Rich Tradition and Equestrian Culture

In Germany, the model horse showing scene is the second biggest in Europe and fueled by passion. The longest-running model horse show in the country is the Live Show in Berlin, which has been going strong for over 35 years. Many regional shows pop up around the country, often organized by dedicated collectors with a desire to bring the community together.

For many years, the Modelhorse Show in Bensheim was the largest model horse show in Germany. The show was supported by the only existing Breyer store in the whole of Germany, AHS Spielwarenversand. With artist Brigitte Eberl sculpting an exclusive resin piece for the show and Breyer often sending a special run model to offer to the show’s participants, the show quickly gained the nickname of “German BreyerFest.” For German collectors it was a taste of the Open Show’s atmosphere, as well as the BreyerFest shopping experience – handpicking your new Breyer models in person was a unique opportunity for many German collectors. In its final years even a Youtube meet was hosted, and dedicated German model horse YouTubers made the shop and the show even more popular though their videos. Sadly, the AHS Spielwarenversand shop closed in early 2024 and therefore the show stopped running as well, marking the end of an era in the German model horse hobby.

Unique to German shows are their “tack classes” which showcase both the hobby’s craftsmanship and Germany’s rich equestrian culture. For tack classes, the tack is usually exhibited on a blank model, allowing the tack to shine on its own merit. Performance classes are popular, but very small and usually take place at the beginning of the show. Documentation is not required, but generally encouraged. While there is not yet a national-level championship show like NAN or BMECS in Germany, momentum is building.

Germany also benefits from its central location in Europe. Shows are often attended by hobbyists from the Netherlands, France, Austria, Switzerland, Poland and even Russia, creating a cross-border community that strengthens the European scene as a whole.

Australia: Creativity and Community Spirit

Half a world away, Australia’s model horse scene may be smaller, but its spirit is big. Shows are often held in major cities like Sydney and Melbourne and blend aspects of both U.S. and U.K. traditions. Because the community is still growing, shows have a welcoming, inclusive feel. Many collectors know each other, and newcomers are greeted with encouragement. 

That chilled-out and welcoming atmosphere was especially present at “The Last Unicorn (a)Live Show,” held in Sydney in March 2025. The show had about 14 participants and held a raffle with many incredible prizes – and you could even enter the raffle online, opening the event up to international and local collectors alike.

A notable difference in the show’s classlist was that the halter classes was not only split by workmanship and breed, but also by color – meaning a single model could place up to three times in the halter classes. The color classes were essentially judged by the prettiest and most well-executed horse color on the table. Since there are so few model horse shows in Australia, it is even more appreciated that a model can win more ribbons at a single event. There was even a “People’s Choice Award” at the end of the show where each participant has two votes to cast for their favorite model of the day. Performance classes were small and held at the end of the show, but Aussie showers bring a flair for creativity and detail to their tack and set-ups.

For Australians, distance is both a challenge and a strength. Shipping costs make it more difficult for Australian collectors to access every new Breyer release, but that gap has fueled a dedicated culture of collecting, as well as customization and artistry. The DUN (Down Under Nationals) society and show, once the Australian equivalent of NAMHSA, may no longer exist, but its influence can still be felt today as model horse shows continue to gain popularity and a national identity that will anchor the local hobby for years to come.

One Hobby, Many Worlds

What ties all these places together is the joy of seeing Breyer models come alive in competition. Whether it’s the high stakes of BreyerFest, the fun atmosphere of BMECS, the strong traditions of Germany or the creative warmth of Australia, each country reflects its own horse culture and community values in its model horse hobby community.

At the end of the day, a model horse show isn’t just about ribbons – it’s about celebrating artistry, accuracy, and the love of horses in miniature. No matter where you are in the world, you’ll find kindred spirits gathered around those rows of painted plastic ponies, sharing in the magic of the hobby and Breyer horses.