Breyerfest!

Ever since I found out about Breyers and Breyerfest, I have wanted to go. Unfortunately I live in Sweden and it costs quite a bit to get to Kentucky. As a kid I wanted to go, but I also knew that my family would not have the means to do so. Now that I am an adult, things are different. It'll still require quite a bit of planning, money, time and so on, but it is possible. My boyfriend and I plan to o go one year. We have yet to decide on the actual year we are going, but it will happen. 

When I saw this year's theme I was intrigued. It felt like an interesting theme and I have always had an interest in history, legends, mythology and different religions so it felt like a theme I would really enjoy. When they started to release sneak peaks and pictures of special runs I was even more intrigued. Sporthorses are my thing so when they released the Celebration horse I knew I would need to try and track one down. And then the released Epona. I do casually conga the Strapless mold (I don't try to get all of them, I don't want all of them, I only buy the ones I like) and this one caught my interest. It looked to be a year where I would need to try and track down several horses (first year I have felt the need to have more than maybe one or two).

And then Covid-19 happened. Everyone of my plans for the year slowly but surely went down the drain. Falsterbo Horse Show (the week of horse competitions I attend with my mother every year) was cancelled, shortly after they cancelled the week we go dancing. This year has been hard on me and I was really looking forward to the summer and all the fun things I was about to attend to keep my mind off of things and hopefully make me feel a bit better. Then the news came.

Breyerfest would go virtual! I was ecstatic. This meant that I could attend! I watched the special runs being revealed and soon decided that I wanted a shot at more than 2 special runs. So I bought 2 three day tickets. Then the Single Day Stablemates were revealed. I liked most of them but I absolutely LOVED Jersey! I treated myself to a 4-pack to get one of each.

Breyerfest has always been an exciting time but I have never been more interested and involved in every sneak peek, every reveal and new info that came out! I loved the special runs! My favourites being Brighid and Beltane (the mare and foal) and Epona (the Strapless). But I was also intrigued by the Surprise horse as I had a feeling that it might be on the Giselle mold (which, is a sporthorse and by my favourite sculptor). Ash is another one I really liked, and so did my boyfriend. He is not a horse person but he loves miniatures and to make scenes so he has amassed a little collection of his own and the one mold he has taken a real liking to, is the Othello mold. The ones I liked the least was Thorn and Boudicca, however they are still very nice models and I would not be too sad if I got those. That meant that it was rather easy to put together my special run master list when that time came.

I started to prepare for Breyerfest by taking Friday off of work as I felt I needed it. Timezones can be a pain so I wanted to be prepared so I wouldn't miss out on anything.

When Breyerfest came, it was an absolute blast! I did a little shopping on Thursday evening from the Artisans Gallery. I am very happy with the things I bought and can't wait for them to arrive! Friday I mostly spent watching the livestreams and the tutorials. It was an amazing experience! I loved every bit of it! 

Saturday I went to the shop to try and get a couple of the store specials. I managed to snag myself 1 out of the 2 things I wanted at the first restock of the day and just a little bit later I got the second thing. Happy to have gotten the things I wanted from the store I kept watching tutorials, livestreams and more of the recorded content. I also watched the evening show, which I also really enjoyed. My first SR time was on Saturday. When I went to see what special runs was chosen for me I was so excited I jumped off the couch squealing and almost starting to cry! I was chosen for my first and second choice!

Sunday was my second Special Run time but before that I once again immersed myself in the livestreams and tutorials. I tried to pick up as many tips and tricks as possible and learnt so many new things! My next SR time was Sunday and I was once again a bit nervous about what models would be chosen for me. I opened up the page and I couldn't believe it! My third and fourth choice of models were right there! I felt incredibly lucky!

I really loved virtual Breyerfest. I think Breyer did an incredible job in putting it all together. I know quite a few people had issues. Fortunately I was not one of them and yes, that might be one reason I really think it went well. But no matter what I think Breyer tried to fix the issues that arose and tried to make the best of it. And to be honest, it is no easy feat moving an event as big as Breyerfest online in such short amount of time! I would love to see a virtual aspect of future Breyerfests as that enables all of us who might not have the opportunity to attend in other ways.

When Breyerfest was over the waiting started. My celebration horses and my single day stablemates arrived last week and I am so happy!

Both my Celebration Horses was a bit flawed. Nothing too bad, but bad enough that they'll probably be less competitive in a live show. I kept the one I liked best, he does have run in the paint on the inside of his right back leg and a couple of factory flaws but he will be fine for photoshows and to be admired on the shelf. The other model had a mold flaw on his nose that disturbed me but he got a new home, in my boyfriend's shelves. He will be a performance horse for a scene my boyfriend has been wanting to do for a while and for that, he is good enough if my boyfriend decides to keep him OF.

My celebration horse who I named Chacco Gold. He will be shown as a Mecklenburg,

Orkney was my least favourite mold of the four. However I really, really loved the golden palomino colour he had.

I named him Éirinn go Brách and he will be shown as an Irish Cob.

Skye was my second favourite when they were announced. He has a very nice colour and the mold is very cute. Although it might remind me a bit more of a mare than a stallion. He was the only one of the four to arrive with a visible flaw. He has an obvious eartip rub, I might fix it if I feel brave enough, otherwise he will be a fine photo show horse.

I named him Phoenix Ashes and he will be shown as a Morgan.

Arran was the wild card of the four. I am not a fan of the traditional Croi model. However I actually like this little cutie. Her colour is much better in person and I really, really like her.

I named her Poetic Grace and she will be shown as a Connemara.

Jersey was my absolute favourite out of the bunch. I have really taken a liking to the new stablemate thoroughbred and chestnut is my favourite colour so it might not have been a total surprise. Anyway, Jersey did not disappoint! He has a lovely color and markings and no visible flaws.

I have yet to decide on a name for him but he will be shown as a Thoroughbred.

My first shipment of Breyerfest horses has been great! Hopefully I am as lucky with the rest. One package might arrive tomorrow! Fingers crossed!