National Model Tack Month?

I had big plans for this years National Model Tack Month. Unfortunately my NMTM ended before it even began.

Due to some new fees put on packages from outside the EU the Swedish Postal system now takes 1½ to 2 weeks longer than normal to process and deliver a package from non-EU countries. Due to this my Rio Rondo order didn't arrive until April 18 and on the 19th I went a way for a course for work and wasn't home until late on the 22. The next week I was quite tired as I had worked an entire work week, then went on the course and then work another work week before getting a weekend off. So I was quite tired and had no motivation to work on my NMTM project.

Today, however, I had a day off work due to working on yesterday's public holiday and felt like making a start.

I managed to finish the very simple base of the bridle for my Akhal-Teke. According to the info I have found some Akhal-Teke bridles are not adjustable more than a buckle on the throatlatch so that's what I was aiming for (following my reference picture). 

I will hopefully start decorating it this weekend and then add the reins but so far I think it's an okay start considering it's my second bridle ever.

Tadpole

I've been wanting a Tadpole ever since I found out he would be made. I participated in all three of the lotteries for him (which I find is a very fair way to make the sales considering time zones and such) but I was never lucky enough to be drawn to buy one.

As it happens I was on MHSP on my break at work and saw a newly posted ad for a Tadpole for sale. I typed up an email and sent it as fast as I could, hoping that no one would've beat me to it.

No one did beat me to it so Tadpole was mine. The seller was super nice and it was a perfect transaction. I picked him up before work on Friday and as I had to work late I couldn't open him up until late in the night. I was supposed to go to bed when I got home but I was just too excited to not open him!

I just love his packaging! It's so beautiful! And since green is my favourite colour I am bit extra excited!

And the model itself is also SO BEAUTIFUL! He is super detailed and absolutely lovely.

I can't wait for him to get some clothes and enter the showring! I just don't know what colour I want him in! And who to paint him! So many hard decisions!

NMTM 2018

I can't believe April is here already! March passed by in a big haze for me and I can only hope April will be a better month for me.

Anyway, April means National Model Tack Month! Last year I made a Western Saddle set from Rio Rondo's awesome kit and this year I wanted to make something for my NaMoPaiMo model.

Since he is an akhal-teke it felt only fair to make him an akhal-teke tack set. I aim to make a saddle, bridle, breastcollar and neck collars with lots of small decorations! This is quite the ambitious project for me as I've only made very few tack items before and considering the fact that I am not the most patient person!

I can't wait for my package from Rio Rondo to arrive and to get started!

El Salvaje

At the show I got to bring home a model I recently bought. I have had my eye on this model for a while but wasn't able to buy him when he'd been up for sale earlier. So this time when I saw him up for sale I jumped at the chance.

The seller kindly allowed me to make timepayments and I am very pleased to have added this guy to my collection.

His name is El Salvaje and he is an Andalusian stallion on the Verroccio resin, sculpted by Brigitte Eberl and painted by Lexie Lawrynovicz.

This guy is a real beauty and will definitely be added to my showstring.

New Additions

A few new models got to come home with me after the show a few weeks ago.

The little cremello standing foal I got in a goodie bag, the Icelandic I won in the raffle and the lying foal was a price for one of my models winning championship. I did win 2 other stablemates as well but I gave them to my boyfriend as he needed them for a performance scene he'll be making.

Empres was won by Sahale J when he went on to be crowned Best in Show Reserve. I have yet to unpack him as I haven't yet decided if I'll be keeping him or not. It is a really, really nice model but not really my cup of tea so I might sell him or trade him for something on my want list or keep him as a shelf model.

Show Debut

My NaMoPaiMo model made his show debut last weekend. It wasn't a very big class but he managed to win!

I'm so proud of him! I was definitely not expecting that!

He won his first qualification card too! 😊

Live Show Pictures: Performance

On top of all the things that happened with my dad I managed to come down with a severe cold during the days before the show. So by the end of the day I was quite drained of energy so I didn't get any pictures of the Performance show but I asked my boyfriend to take a few pictures.

It was quite the small performance show but it still had some lovely entries.

A long-reining entry 

My Sidesaddle entry (before I fixed the stray strap that had gotten loose).

Dressage entry.

Western trail entry.

My western trail entry.

Other Western entry.

My boyfriend's Native American custom entry

Christmas horse entry

My boyfriend also showed his carriage with the friesians but he didn't get any pictures of it (I quote "I already have pictures of it")... It ended up not only Champion other but also Best in Show performance. My Sidesaddle entry managed to claim Champion English and Best in Show Reserve.