Web Special Series

by Jocelyn Cote

Ever since the current iteration of the Breyer Collector Club debuted in 2012, “Web Special” models have long been one of fans’ favorite parts of their club membership. Released in strictly limited quantities, the winners of these models are chosen by lottery, and accounts that are picked have the opportunity to purchase these models and add them to their collections.

Beginning in 2013, Web Specials were released with specific themes in mind, and these themes have carried on for anywhere from one to three years at a time. Although these models are usually realistic horse coats, their colors and patterns are often developed with subtle nods to their namesakes, whether that be a mythological figure, a food, or a location.

In 2024, we’re jet-setting off with a brand new Web Special series: Exotic Destinations! To celebrate, we’re looking back at all of our series from 2015 to the present day.

 2013: Greek Gods Series

The first official Breyer Web Special series drew from the gods of Greek mythology to create four stunning stallions. The models for this series were Zeus, the god of the sky and thunder, Poseidon, the god of the sea, Apollo, the god of the sun, and Dionysus, the god of wine. The models in this collection ranged from 225 to 250 pieces each.

 2013-2017: Big Cat Series

Some Web Special series have multiple releases over a shorter period of time, while others are annual and continue on for many years. The first annual series of Web Specials was the Big Cats, which debuted with Kimbia, inspired by the King Cheetah, in 2013. Rather than subtle interpretations of their theme, the Big Cats were developed as decorator models with feline coat patterns, even including tiny details such as painted “cat” noses and paw prints under their hooves! This series continued through 2017 with Kashmir (Snow Leopard, 2015), Padma (Tiger, 2015), Leandro (Lion, 2016) and Java (Jaguar, 2017). These models’ piece counts ranged from 255 to 280 each.

2014: Greek Goddesses Series

Continuing the same theme but with a slight twist, 2014 brought a series of glamorous mares inspired by Greek goddesses to the Web Special lineup. These were Hera, the goddess of women, Aphrodite, the goddess of love, Athena, the goddess of wisdom, and Demeter, the goddess of the harvest. 245 pieces of Hera and Aphrodite were made, and 250 pieces of Athena and Demeter were made.

2015: Celestial Series

In 2015, we shifted our sights to the stars for the Celestial Series. These models’ names drew from a variety of astronomical inspirations. We began with Solar, whose silver bay coat was as bright as the sun. Other inspirations included constellations (Orion), starfields (Astru), and galaxies (Milky Way). These models’ piece counts ranged from 245 to 250 pieces each.

2016 & 2020: Berries Ponies

The Berries Ponies series was the first to not only create a collection of models based on a uniting theme, but by breed type as well. Pony sculptures were particularly popular additions to the Breyer Traditional line in the early 2010s, and this series gave them a chance to flaunt some truly spectacular and detailed coat colors. Our first bushel included Bramble, Persimmon, Juniper and Honeysuckle, all produced in a quantity of 350 pieces.

This series was also the first to return after a hiatus! In 2020, the Berries Ponies were revived for one more year. This collection included Jujube, Goji, Bilberry and Strawberry, also produced in quantities of 350 pieces each.

2017-2019: America the Beautiful Series

This series was the first to take inspiration from locations – in this case, national parks, monuments and forests across the USA. At three years, it was also one of our longest-running series.

2017 took us to Mount Rainier (Rainier), Wailua River State Park (Wailua), Acadia National Park (Acadia), and Zion National Park (Zion and Moab). The were followed by Kaibab National Forest (Kaibab), Gettysburg National Military Park (Gettysburg), Olympic National Park (Rialto), and J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge (Sanibel) in 2018, and Muir Woods National Monument (Muir Woods), Bandelier National Monument (Bandelier), Grand Teton National Park (Teton), and Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve (LaFitte) in 2019. Try plotting all those on a map! All of these models were once again limited to 350 pieces each.

2018-present: Wild Animal Series

There are only so many species of big cats in the world, and after a solid run of feline-inspired horses, it was time to broaden our inspiration to the whole animal kingdom. The Wild Animals Series became the Big Cat Series’ successor and continues to release one model per year through the present day.

So far, the Wild Animal Series has taken us through multiple different continents and biomes from jungles, to savannahs, to prairies. They include 2018’s Kehinde (Okapi, 300 pieces), 2019’s Nadifa (Giraffe, 300 pieces), 2020’s Tamu and Chai (baby Bongo and Tapir, 300 pieces), 2021’s Baruti (Oryx, 300 pieces), 2022’s Kalahari (African Wild Dog, 750 pieces) and 2023’s Yellowstone (Pronghorn Antelope, 750 pieces). Get your binoculars ready, because a new animal will join the herd in late 2024!

2021-2023: Birds of a Feather Series

A new Web Special series took flight in 2021, this time as interpretations of various birds in realistic horse colors. This was one of our most popular series yet! Our first collection in 2021 included Puffin, Goldfinch, Crane and Meadowlark, ranging in quantity from 375 to 380 pieces each. In 2022 we added Cardinal, Robin and Nestling, Kingfisher and Peregrine to the flock, all produced in a quantity of 500 pieces. We wrapped the series up in 2023 with Flamingo, Magpie, Sparrow and Oriole, also with 500 pieces each.

2024-present: Exotic Destinations Series

We’re starting off this year with a brand-new series! Pack your bag and don’t forget your passport, because these models are inspired by picturesque destinations around the world. We started this year off with Reykjavík, a handsome Icelandic horse named after his home country’s capital city. We can’t tell you too much about the other models to come in this series, but pack a sunhat for our next destination – it’s going to be hot!