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Best Customs
Best Customs - BreyerFest 2026
Announcing the 2026 BreyerFest Best Customs Contest! This Contest will honor the best in Breyer model horse customizing - re-making and re-sculpting the model itself, awesome finish work, and superb tack. Prizes include an Exclusive Breyer Traditional scale special model and rosette to first place winners and a unique Stablemates model plus rosette for second and third place for winners in each Division (details below). The first, second, and third place winners in each division will be announced and prizes awarded in-person during BreyerFest weekend at approximately 9 pm EDT on Saturday July 11, 2026 at the Clarion Hotel in Lexington, Kentucky.** Winning entries may be featured on BreyerHorses.com.
Many will enter, but only eighteen (18) will win (one (1) first place, one (1) second place, and one (1) third place winner in each of six (6) divisions)!
See below for eligibility*, details on How to Enter and Official Rules!
2026 BreyerFest Best Customs Contest Divisions:
Excellence in Finish Work
Excellence in final paint decoration on your Breyer model, including, without limitation, a high level of detail work, smoothness of paint, and a glowing, flawless finish. Judging is on paint work, detail work, and realism. Customizing enhancements or embellishments (e.g., halters, re-sculpting, removal of parts, etc.) are NOT permitted. Only standard prep work is permitted (e.g., cleaning, sanding of seams, slight adjustments to leg positions to ensure the model stands, etc.). Realistic equines only, no fantasy entries.
Fantasy
Use a Breyer model(s) as your blank canvas, and let your imagination run wild! Judging is on creativity of concept and execution. A crowd favorite! Any scale Breyer model welcome but finished entry must be in the same or similar scale as the base model(s) used. You must include a brief description with your entry detailing what you are presenting. This is the only Division for non-realistic entries.
Most Extreme Custom
Extensive custom with little evidence of original base Breyer model(s) used. Judging is on the quality of the extent of re-working of conformation, finish work, and realism. Realistic equines only, no fantasy entries. Finished entry must be in the same or similar scale as the base model(s) used. An image of the original base Breyer model(s) used must be included with your entry for judges to review.
Performance Excellence (shown with Tack or Tack and Rider)
Performance Excellence showcases a snapshot of a real horse event. From a sliding stop in reining to that mid-air moment over the jump in eventing, your Performance entry should capture a moment in time. For the Performance Excellence Division, tack and/or rider figure does not have to be customized by entrant, only the Breyer model horse. Tack, and rider figure if you choose to use a rider figure, must either be Breyer accessories and rider figures or created entirely by you, the entrant. Dioramas and other non-Breyer accessories are welcome and encouraged, as they make an exciting display, however the judging will be on the model and tack, or model, tack, and rider, only. You must include a brief description with your entry detailing the discipline and class being performed. Judging is on customization of the model and the tack, or tack and rider, presentation. Realistic equines only, no fantasy entries.
Excellence in Tack Making
Show us your best custom tack on any Original Finish Breyer model of any scale. English, Western, Regalia, Harness – all types of realistic horse tack may enter. The only customizing allowed on the model horse is sanding down the mane to allow a bridle or saddle to fit more easily, if necessary. Custom rider figures, carts, or other props are accepted only if they are entirely created by the entrant. No riders mounted on horses, as they may hide saddle details, but rider figures may be presented as part of the entry on a separate mannequin horse (of the same mold) or on a doll stand next to the tack. No realistic "scene" bases; this is not a Performance class, it is the judging of miniature tack only, as fine art. Mirrored bases, raised bases, or rotating displays are welcome as these may make it easier to view the entry from all angles, but emphasis should be entirely on tack, as the tack will be the sole component judged. You may include a brief description with your entry describing the tack, but it is not required. Tack will be judged on detail, fit, accuracy, creativity, and workmanship.
Model Glow Ups
This division will showcase customizations made to a model where the judges are able to clearly recognize the original or underlying model or mold used, and the “glow up” is just a refinement or improvement of the original mold used (see reference images for examples). Judging will be on the quality of the refinement of the model’s original conformation (do not alter the model’s original position); head, mane and/or tail re-sculpting (if necessary, but not required; for example, adjustment of the tail if originally attached to the back leg) and finish work. Realistic equines only, no fantasy entries. Finished entry must be in the same or similar scale as the base model used. An image of the original model you are “glowing up” must be included with your entry for judges to review.
*Contest is open to legal residents of the U.S (excluding AZ, CO, CT, MD, NE, and ND) ages 14 and up with an email account. If selected as a potential winner, parental consent is required if entrant is under age 18 (or under the legal age of majority in the entrant’s state of residence in the U.S. – whichever is greater). Void where prohibited or otherwise restricted by law.
HOW TO ENTER:
• To create your BreyerFest 2026 Best Customs Contest (“Contest”) entry, customize a Breyer model in accordance with the requirements/criteria for one (1) of the 2026 BreyerFest Best Customs Contest Divisions above. Entry must be original and entirely created by the entrant (except for the tack and/or rider figure, if entering the Performance Excellence Division as described above). Customs must fit within a 24” x 24” (60.96cm x 60.96cm) or 18” x 30” (45.72cm x 76.2cm) footprint on a table, no exceptions, and entries cannot be taller than 30” (76.20cm).
• Take digital photographs of your completed entry and pick the six (6) pictures that best show your entry. ONE (1) of your photos of your completed custom entry MUST include a ruler for scale and ONE (1) photo MUST be an in-progress shot from early in your customization process of your entry that clearly shows the underlying or original model used. For the Extreme Customs and Model Glow Ups category, one of the photos must include original model/mold used before it was altered. Do NOT watermark your photos.
• Email six (6) digital photographs of your Best Customs entry (JPEG or PNG files between 500kb and 2MB each, but not more than 2MB each) to customs@reevesintl.com. All photo entries must be in JPEG or PNG digital form. (All other formats, including but not limited to PDF, PSD, and BMP format will be rejected. Please ensure your images are attached and formatted correctly). Images must be attached to the email and not sent embedded/inline or via a digital link. Digital photographs must be named as follows:
[YOUR LAST NAME]_BF26Customs_[DIVISION]_[NUMBER].[.JPG/.PNG].
(E.g.: Smith_BF26Customs_FinishWork_1.jpg.) Mail entries will not be accepted.
• Images submitted must include your completed, finished entry. Entries are judged, and winners selected, based on the images submitted.
• Your entry must include the subject line “BF2026 Best Customs Contest” along with your digital photographs, the name/mold number of the original/underlying Breyer model used, the name of the Division you are entering, the footprint of your entry (24” x 24” or 18” x 30”), your name, age (at the time of entry), mailing address, telephone number, and email address as well as parent/legal guardian’s email address and statement of parental consent if under age 18 (or under the legal age of majority in the entrant’s state of residence in the U.S.– whichever is greater) at time of entry. Performance Excellence Division entries must include a brief description detailing the discipline and class being performed. Fantasy Division entries must include a brief description of what they are presenting. Tack entries may include a brief description of what they are presenting, but it is not required. Entry and/or statement of parental consent must be submitted in English. Entries missing any of the above requirements will be immediately disqualified.
• Limit one Contest (1) entry in only one (1) Division per person. Participants may not enter multiple Divisions. Submissions will only be accepted digitally. Contest entry period begins February 2, 2026 at 2:00pm EST and ends on June 12, 2026 at 5:00pm EDT. All entries must be received via email at customs@reevesintl.com by 5:00pm EDT, June 12, 2026. No other method of entry will be accepted.
• If you won first place in the 2025 BreyerFest Best Customs contest in any division, you are not eligible to enter in the same Division in 2026 – you must enter in a different Division.
JUDGING:
• Entries will be judged by a qualified, independent judge or judge(s). Each entry will be judged on the following criteria (by Division): (a) Excellence in Finish Work will be judged 50% on overall excellence in final paint decoration, 30% on level of detail work and 20% on realism; (b) Fantasy will be judged 60% on creativity of concept and 40% on overall execution; (c) Most Extreme Custom will be judged 40% on extent of re-working of conformation, 40% on finish work and 20% on realism; (d) Performance Excellence (shown with Tack or Tack and Rider) will be judged 80% on the customization of the horse and 20% on the tack (or tack and rider) presentation; (e) Excellence in Tack Making will be judged 30% on craftsmanship, 30% on creativity, 30% on accuracy/realism, and 10% on presentation, and (f) Model Glow Ups will be judged 50% on refinements/edits made to the original model and 50% on finish work. Eighteen (18) winners will be chosen (one (1) first place, one (1) second place, and one (1) third place winner in each of six (6) divisions).
• Sponsor will contact potential winners in each Division by email on or about June 24, 2026. Selected potential winners (or parent or legal guardian of potential winner, where applicable), must confirm receipt of email within three (3) business days, and must show their custom entry at BreyerFest 2026 in the Clarion Hotel Ballroom (1950 Newtown Pike, Lexington, KY) on Thursday, July 9, 2026, for presentation and display during BreyerFest weekend (July 10-12, 2026). Potential winners/finalists may show their entries at BreyerFest by proxy.
• Winners will be announced and prizes awarded in-person at BreyerFest during BreyerFest weekend, July 10-12, 2026 at the Clarion Hotel Ballroom (1950 Newtown Pike, Lexington, KY), at approximately 9 PM EDT on Saturday, July 11, 2026. Custom entries and prizes will be available for pickup at this time.** Winners may be announced online on BreyerHorses.com during BreyerFest weekend, July 10-12, 2026.
• Custom entries not picked up by the close of the Artisans’ Gallery in the Clarion Hotel Ballroom (1950 Newtown Pike, Lexington, KY) at 11:59 PM EDT on Saturday, July 11, 2026 will not be returned and become the property of Sponsor.
PRIZES:
• One (1) First Place Prize Package consisting of (1) Special Edition BreyerFest Best Customs Traditional scale model “Lingonberry” (Model #B-EV-10782, Estimated Retail Value (ERV) $1,000 USD) and one (1) first place rosette (ERV $10 USD) will be awarded to one (1) first place winner in each of the six (6) Divisions for total of six (6) first place Contest winners.
• One (1) Second Place Prize Package consisting of one (1) Special Edition BreyerFest Best Customs Stablemates scale model “Gravlax” (Model #B-EV-10783, ERV $250 USD) and one (1) second place rosette (ERV $10 USD) will be awarded to one (1) second place winner in each of the six (6) Divisions for a total of six (6) second place Contest winners.
• One (1) Third Place Prize Package consisting of one (1) Special Edition BreyerFest Best Customs Stablemates scale model “Gravlax” (Model #B-EV-10527, ERV $250 USD) and one (1) third place rosette (ERV $10 USD) will be awarded to one (1) third place winner in each of the six (6) Divisions for a total of six (6) third place Contest winners.
• Total ERV of all eighteen (18) Prize Packages is $9,180 USD.
** If, for any reason, Sponsor is forced to cancel, postpone, or transition BreyerFest 2026 to an entirely virtual (no onsite BreyerFest guest activities) event, images of finalist entries will be displayed and winner announcement will take place online only during BreyerFest weekend (July 10-12, 2026).
See Official Rules for complete details.
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