These classes will NOT be offered on Friday, July 10th, so if you would like to show in these classes, please be sure to register for Thursday. All other classes not listed above will be on Friday, July 10th, so if you want to show in any of those classes as well, you will need to register for both days of the show.

All participants in Thursday Open Show divisions will be automatically upgraded to a full table at no additional charge (for Thursday only). If you would also like to participate in classes taking place on Friday, full table upgrades will be limited on this day as they have in previous years, so there is no guarantee you will also have a full table on Friday if you are also showing on Thursday. However, if you are registered for Thursday classes and Friday classes, you will be able to retain your table location in the show hall.

The Open Show is a beloved BreyerFest tradition. With over 100 classes, there is a class for every model in your collection! Feel free to stop by and check out all the fun during BreyerFest weekend, too!

Open Show Documents:

Main Show Packet
Guide to the BreyerFest Open Show
Collector Class Information Packet
Performance Information Packet

New to the world of model horse showing and wondering what it’s about? No problem!

Participants in model horse shows show their Breyer model horses in the same way a person might show a real, living horse. Models are entered in either “halter” or “performance” classes and experienced judges review and judge each entry based on specific criteria.

In “Halter” classes, an untacked, unaltered Breyer model horse is entered into a particular class based on the breed the competitor has assigned to their model. If an Arabian model horse is entered into an Arabian class, the judge will choose the winning horses based on conformation, characteristics, and colors typical for that breed and how well each model in the class embodies them. Competitors are welcome to show models in classes that are not necessarily obvious for the mold they are showing if they can provide documentation to support their entry. For example, the 2018 BreyerFest Celebration Horse Brass Hat, which was created on Breyer’s Walking
Thoroughbred mold, could also be shown as an Australian Stock Horse, provided the entrant can find documentation to support that Australian Stock Horses can look like that model.

In “Performance” classes, models are fully tacked, often with rider dolls, and set up in a diorama-like scene, complete with props and natural elements. These scenes are viewed as if they are snapshots of a live horse event in action. Tack is generally hand-made, but can also be Breyer-made tack, and all tack must be accurate to the activity being highlighted – a competitor couldn’t use a western-style bridle in a dressage competition scene, for example.

If you are not ready to commit to participating in a Model Horse Show just yet stop by the Hobby Tent BreyerFest weekend and get your hooves wet in our Mini Mock Model Horse Show. Hobby experts will be there all weekend teaching guests the ins and outs of showing model horses and how to get started. Bring your own model(s) or borrow one of ours to learn with!