Creating a Model Horse Show Essentials Kit

Your models are packed safely in their bubble wrap and pony pouches, your documentation is neatly organized, and you’ve played a perfect game of Tetris in the back of your vehicle to get all those show bins to fit. You’re all set for show day, right? Well, almost. Like a first aid kit, a “model horse show essentials kit” is a small but useful take-along for any live model horse show.

Whether it’s your first show or your fiftieth, it’s never too late to get organized!

Finding a Container

A good outer container for your kit is a craft box, tackle box, sewing box, or small toolbox. Look for something with small compartments to keep your items organized and easy to navigate in a pinch. If you’re a performance shower, you can also use some of these compartments to store smaller items like bridles and tiny props/accessories for your setups so they don’t get lost. Carrying handles are also useful, especially for larger containers. You can find an appropriate container for your kit in a variety of different places – craft stores, department stores, sporting goods stores, and of course, online.

You can find boxes in a variety of sizes, shapes, and styles. For example, this container has three separate "shelves" that collapse over each other when closed.

What's Inside?

Extra Leg Tags

Most shows use leg tags to display a model’s information on the show table. (A select few shows use an index card method instead, which we’ll discuss below.) The standard size string marking tag used at model horse shows is 1 3/4” x 1 3/32”.  Different shows may require different information on this tag, so read the show packet and make sure your tags satisfy those requirements. Some showers prefer to keep their tags separately and attach them to their horses at the show, and others prefer to pre-tag their horses when packing their herd.

Sometimes, tags get lost in mounds of bubble wrap or fly away as you carry your model to the show table, or you may acquire a new model at the show that you’d like to enter in a class. Pack at least a few extras in your essentials kit in case some of yours (or your neighbor’s!) go poof.

Consult the show packet for the info needed for your tags!

Pen

There’s lot’s of writing to be done at a model horse show, so don’t find yourself without a pen – or a pencil, if that’s your preference. You’ll need a pen to fill out leg tags/index cards, write documentation, make notes on the back of your horses’ ribbons, and/or to record your results.

Black Permanent Marker, Paint Pen, or Eyeliner

Black permanent markers, paint pens, and eyeliners have long been a model horse shower’s hack for pinpoint rubs on black painted areas, especially eartips. If your bay, black, or buckskin pony comes out of their bubble wrap with a tiny boo-boo, a dot of black should do the trick to get them in the show ring. (Use sparingly and with caution – too much marker may leave the area with a slight purplish sheen.)  If you forgot your pen or pencil, a permanent marker can also be a backup writing tool.

Blank Index Cards

Index cards work well for creating documentation for breeds, performance patterns, or collectability on the fly. Depending on the show, you may also use index cards for horse identification in lieu of leg tags – they often ask for similar information such as the horse’s name, breed, and gender, but always consult your show packet for the exact info needed. Regardless of their use at your particular show, it’s handy to have a few in your kit!

Try to keep documentation simple - use only the most important/relevant info.

Documentation

Making your documentation ahead of time is highly recommended when showing your models. There are three main types of documentation: breed, collectability, and performance.

If your model is an uncommon horse breed or color, breed documentation can be used to present this information to the judge. Think of it as a short-form research paper – some shows, such as the BreyerFest Open Show, require you to cite the source(s) of your information, which is a good practice to get into regardless.

Bonus tip: Stack your documentation in the order of your classlist so you’re not shuffling through the deck on show day, looking for a particular one!

Collectibility documentation explains why your model has special collectible value. Some shows double-judge collectibility with breed, and others have separate classes split up by run size, model source, age, etc. Consult your show packet for the exact info needed, but most shows ask for information like the model’s original name, source, and year(s) of production. The Identify Your Breyer website is an excellent resource for gathering this information.

Performance documentation explains the event going on in your performance setups, and will often include a printout of a pattern for your event being depicted. This documentation explains to the judge what is going on in your entry.

Makeup Brush

Big, fluffy makeup brushes are perfect for dusting off models before they enter the ring. A tiny bit of dust may be the tiebreaker between your and another person’s model, so every crevice counts! You can find these brushes in the makeup section of any drugstore or department store for just a few dollars – they don’t need to be anything fancy. The softer and fluffier, the better.

Watch out for the small nooks and crannies where dust can collect!

Paper/Binder Clips

You’ll quickly learn that model horse showing entails lots of small bits and pieces that might get lost – pages of a show packet, documentation cards, ribbons, etc. Paperclips and binder clips are small enough to fit in your kit, and will make keeping these tidbits together a breeze.

Small Scissors

A small pair of scissors won't take up much space in your kit, and you never know when they'll come in handy! Maybe a tag gets stuck in a knot and you can't get it off of your model by hand, or you purchased a new model from a vendor that you'd like to unbox and show. You'll thank yourself later.

Extras for the Performance Shower

Sticky Wax

Sticky wax has a multitude of uses, but is most often used to stick bits, reins, etc. to models and the hands of rider dolls. Sticky wax comes in small plastic tubs and can be found in many hobby and craft stores, especially during the holidays as it is often used by builders of model villages. It is best applied with your fingers or, if you need extra precision, a small, sharp object such as a needle or toothpick.

Needlenose Pliers or Tweezers

Perfect for adjusting finicky straps, buckles, and pieces of tack, a small pair of needlenose pliers or tweezers is an excellent addition to your kit. With strict setup time limits between classes, you’ll appreciate the precision and the time they save.

Tacky Glue

White tacky glue can be found at any craft store, and a small bottle is essential for making quick tack repairs at the show hall. This glue is water-soluble, which means that when you’ve returned home from the show, it is easily removed so you can make a more permanent repair.

Extras for the Collectibility Shower

Additional Documentation

In addition to your standard collectability documentation cards, some models may have other pieces of paper that are worth including with your entry, such as certificates of authenticity, ticket stubs, or additional provenance. These extra bits may be what makes your entry stand out from the crowd of similar models!

White Cotton Gloves

Breyer models and their paintwork are very durable, but some collectors choose to handle particularly valuable pieces with gloves on – especially glossy models. If you’d like a little extra security when showing your prized pieces, a pair of white cotton gloves is a cheap and easy way to make sure they stay in tip-top condition from shelf to show table and back.

White gloves are a common sight at the yearly BreyerFest Live Auction.

Now that all of your essentials have been gathered, you're ready to trot on off to your next live show! For more tips and tricks on how to show your model horses, you can check out the Live Showing Blog under the "Discover Breyer" section of BreyerHorses.com.

See you at the next show!

This article originally appeared as part of the July 2022 Breyer Collector Club Newsletter.