Model Horse Enthusiasts Gathering May 15-17, rain or shine

Models in the Mountains 2015 sports an all-star cast for a first -time event, with the very well known and loved Jennifer Bray Buxton as judge and clinic leader on both Saturday and Sunday and a breathtaking unpainted Arabian horse resin, “Musetta”, donated by world-class equine sculptor Deborah McDermott. Tom’s Toys of Montrose has supported the effort along with lifelong model horse enthusiast Sherry Ball who donated a Laskshore china model, and Laurel Dedes who has contributed ribbons for the show.

“Live” and photo model horse shows are nothing new; they have existed since the 1970s. Models in the Mountains is a little bit different by virtue of both its goals and its venue. Although there is a live halter show on Saturday and a live performance show and clinic on Sunday, the real goals are fun, fellowship and learning...and photography.

Some explanation here might be due. A live show is one where you bringing your model horses to the show and they compete in a show ring setting against other models. A photo show is one where you mail or email photos of your horses and they compete against photos of other model horses sent by other showers. Both types of showing have evolved to be highly competitive.

Models in the Mountains offers outdoor photography opportunities all weekend, weather permitting, and indoor photography opportunities as well. The venue is 27 miles back in the heart of the Angeles National Forest, at Chilao School, a one room school building formerly owned and operated by La Canada Unified School District.

So even if it rains...the show, and the fun, will go on.

All model horse enthusiasts are welcome. Part of Meadow Campground has been reserved for those who would like to camp; there will be some opportunities to shop as well as learn from the pros about performance for both real and model horses.

Friday is an informal day - a chance to hike, walk, talk, relax, and use both indoor and outdoor table set-ups for photographs. On Saturday, there will be a diorama building contest inside Chilao School in the morning beginning around 10:30 AM, followed by a ten class model horse halter show judged by Jennifer Buxton. As presently forecasted, the weather will be clearing on Saturday afternoon, so late afternoon may be the perfect time to go out and get some outdoor photography done with lovely natural clouds and blue sky.

Sunday should be perfectly lovely; mornings and afternoons are the best times for outdoor photography, and at noon Jennifer will host a ten class performance show and clinic, discussing the strengths of each entry and offering expert advice on all aspects of presenting the horses and the scenes depicted.

There are prizes to be won, including a new Breyer running Quarter Horse mare “Don’t Look Twice” and a model to be offered for silent auction, as well as shopping opportunities.

Saturday and Sunday class lists follow. For complete event details and registration, visit http://modelsinthemountains.weebly.com

For daily updates, directions, event information and loads of pictures, visit the Models in the Mountains Facebook page at

https://www.facebook.com/modelsinthemountains2015?ref=hl

Models in the Mountains 2015
Saturday Halter Show Class List (Original Finish and Custom Divisions)
Sunday Performance Show and Clinic Class List

Saturday - Judge - Jennifer Bray Buxton
(Label cards or leg tags - your choice - OF or CM, breed, gender and class number on front, name of horse and owner on back. Limit of five horses per class per owner)

1. Light Breeds (Arabian, Morgan, NSH, etc)
2. Sporting Breeds (Thoroughbreds, Warmbloods, Sporthorses)
3. Spanish and Gaited Breeds (including Pasos, Aztecas)
4. Stock Horses 5. Draft and Carriage Breeds
6. Ponies 7. Longears and Exotics 8. Grade, mixed, part-bred horses
9. Decorator, Fantasy Equines 10. Futurity - Foals up to one year old

Show Fee - 1-20 horses $10.00
21-40 horses $15.00
Over 40 horses $20.00

Sunday - Performance Show and Clinic with
Jennifer Bray Buxton
1. Costume
2. Western pleasure
3. English pleasure
4. Arena trail (combined English and Western)
5. Stockwork (roping, cutting, team penning, etc)
6. English over fences (hunter, jumper, eventing, etc)
7. Games (combined English and Western)
8. Other English
9. Other Western
10. Other performance/scene

Show and Clinic Fee - $20.00
(includes lunch and a chance to win Don’t Look Twice, a NIB traditional Breyer)
Limit three entries per class

Halter notes: Original Finish will combine plastic and china if there are both entries present; Custom will combine all one of a kind customs as well as artists’ resins.
This is not a NAN qualified show. This will be a good opportunity for first time showers and those returning to the show ring after an extended absence to participate in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.
ALL model horse enthusiasts and artists welcome.
Show experience not required.
Questions? Email Corina Roberts at redbirds_vision@hotmail.com