Model Horse Collectors' New Show Series Opens Today

Model horse showers from around the world are welcomed to this, the first of a series of online model horse shows on PonyBytes.com

PonyBytes was developed by Elizabeth LaRose and Julia Turner specifically for the model horse enthusiast, and was used in 2020 and 2021 by Breyer (Reeves International), the premier maker of collectible model horses, to host online shows in the wake of COVID.

Details on the show are found here: https://www.ponybytes.com/foru...

This is the first of what will be a series of qualifier shows hosted by different hobbiests. Horses placing first through third in a qualifier show get to participate in a championship show, to be held when enough qualifiers have been completed (somewhere between twelve and eighteen).

To keep it manageable, the class list for this show is condensed. The goal right now is to get this show and this series off the ground in a good way, and to have fun doing it. Subsequent show holders can have any class list they like...all halter, all performance, resin only, plastic only, heavy horses only, minis only, or everything there is...those choices are up to the show host.
The end goal is to have a blowout championship show with fantastic competition, ribbons, rosettes and lots of prizes. Prizes of all sizes. It will take a little while to get to the champ show, so there's time for potential show holders and donors to get those prizes together, whether they are models, medallions, tack items, props, dolls or something else.
We're getting busy now to set aside a nice little stash of prizes. Some of the prizes might be things we buy along the way, and some created, such as the lunging whips and miniature topiary seen here.
Inclusiveness, friendly competition, creativity, generosity, fun. These are the goals of The Collective as we create, together, a show series that is always fresh and continually evolving.
Things you might wonder about. Like for instance. How does Pony Bytes work? You have to register first, and start building your online gallery of horses. Pony Bytes is free for you to use. I strongly recommend taking some time to get a feel of the site. When I first registered I was in a rush and I got frustrated.
When the show opens on January 22, you can start uploading horses to their classes, but you can see the class list and who is judging and the details about classes right now, here:
https://www.ponybytes.com/foru...
How should your photos look? Clear. Your photos need to show off your horse to its best advantage. You do not need to make every picture a scene - plain backgrounds are fine. Active, scene backgrounds are fine. White is fine. Color is fine. Personally, I try to create a scene with every picture...which sometimes means my horses get lost in the picture story and don't show as well as they might with less distraction. It's not right or wrong, it's just what I enjoy the most.
Are there ribbons and prizes? There could be a hand full of random prizes, however, the idea of the qualifier series is to get your horses qualified for the championship show. At the championship show, there will be ribbons, rosettes and prizes. I envision the champ show being a generous affair. I would encourage everyone with that generosity of spirit going on to start making and setting aside things to donate so that the champ show really will be a wonderful event.
Who is going to host the next show? I'm not sure, but you may trust I will be reaching out to people. The good thing about hosting a qualifier is that you are not saddled with the enormous burden of ribbons and prizes all by yourself. That will come with the champ show, and you have time to plan for it and set aside some cool and desirable prizes. If you also happen to be a working equine artist, hosting a show could be a great way to engage and encourage your audience. The qualifier series will allow more people in the hobby to experience show hosting without having to "go it alone." At the same time, the show host maintains creative freedom with their class list.
One of my least favorite things about shows is class limits. They are necessary in live shows, to be sure, and they make sense in really big photo shows too.
This first qualifier has a maximum number of 200 total photos per shower...but where you put them is your business. There are no per class limits.
How do you enter this doggone pony party anyway?
We need two things. Your entry fee and your PonyBytes handle.
Your entry fee is $10 for up to 100 photos and $20 for up to 200 photos. You can use the link below to pay it as a donation directly to Redbird, or you can use Redbird's email address which is redbirds_vision@hotmail.com. You can use goods and services or friends and family, whatever makes you more comfortable. My personal preference is the donation link, but no matter how you do it, the money is going into the same account. From a year end accounting standpoint, donations are much easier to deal with.
https://www.redbirdsvisions.or...