Custom Mini Model Horses

Need support and inspiration for your next customizing project? Join the  International Customizing Equine Event (ICEE) Facebook Group ( https://www.facebook.com/groups/133596534164710 ) and challenge yourself this fall. Diana MacDonald, one of the administrators, shared that "The sign up will be your Artist Declaration (in the Facebook Album on the ICCE page) - description and photo/sketch, etc. You will then have 60 days to complete your project equine - don't forget to ask questions, give us updates with photos, etc. Share tips, tricks and ideas. Then once compete, where you feel there are no more major changes to make, then you upload your completion photos (in the appropriate album here). Your prize is your completed equine. No entry fees. No entry forms. But you can still hashtag what team you are on - country, state/province, name, type of project, etc."   It couldn't be easier!     My project is going to be a new hairdo for the Stock Horse Mare by Maggie Benn

I've seen some great hobby posts on social media, from sculpting a beautiful model in oven-baked clay (instead of hobby-norm-two-part-epoxy), to building a barn from scratch (inspired by a hobbyist who lives in another country), to collecting carts and harnesses of all types (not just competitive, live show quality ones), to creating a custom model just for the fun of it (not for show nor sale). I love the creativity. I love the way these people are embracing the "hobby" part of The Hobby. I think we could all learn from them. Some of my Albys After attending Breyerfest, doing pick-ups for friends, selling at Artisan's Gallery, and showing in the open show this summer, I could use a deep breath. I could use a little time and space to enjoy the hobby as a hobby. I need to remind myself of the following: Not everything is a competition. Sometimes attending an event is about seeing old friends and meeting new people. Not everything is a business venture. Sometimes it'

I need to whine about live showing. And I have a hunch I'm not the only one that both loves showing and dislikes disagreements, especially about the Breed Classification List. What am I talking about? Some shows post a list of what breeds go in what classes, ie. a Breed Classification List. North American Nationals has an example: https://namhsa.org/content/uploads/NAN2021/NAMHSA-Breed-Cross-Ref-Feb-2021.pdf . These lists often clear up questions like "do Friesians belong in the Carriage Breed class?" Like most hobbyists, I put a lot of effort into my show string. This includes breed choice, documentation, and selecting the class for each horse.  With many class lists, some of my show horses stay home simply because there aren't enough classes. This happens with a class limit of three models per shower, and especially when there's a limit of two models per class. So here's where I disagreed with a judge about the Breed Classification List at a recent show. (Wh