Surprise, Surprise, Surprise

As you all may be aware, in my previous post in this series I discussed last year's auction models. Today, I'm going to be weeding out who I predict it may be! So... without further ado, here's Surprise, Surprise, Surprise:

Right off the bat, I think I can rule out any stocky molds, which eliminates Bobby Jo, Silver, the Mustang Mare, and Dundee. Yes, there are other stocky-ish molds out there, like the Fighting Stallion, but since he's not outright stocky, I'll keep him in the running for now.

Additionally, we can say bye-bye to previous surprise molds, which eliminates Smarty Jones and the Andalusian Stallion.

Now we're left with thirty molds (I counted the family sets as one, simply because it's unlikely that there would be a foal mold as the surprise, as well as I doubt there would be a family set for the Sláinte Surprise. Hmm... "Sláinte" means "cheers", so maybe that'll have something to do with it? I find it doubtful, but perhaps?

Next off, we can get rid of the current BreyerFest runs that have been announced (as of April thrid, 2020): Rhian, Cadell and the Show Jumping Warmblood.

Just based off what I think wouldn't make sense, I think we can also eliminate these guys: the Marwari, Five-Gaiter, Ruffian, "Foalzilla", Semi-Rearing Stallion, Fighting Stallion, Misty (and the foals), Proud Arabian Mare (and her foal), certainly Alborozo (since Breyer made 9,000, and then broke the mold), and Carrick. That's knocked off another ten from our list!

Left with sixteen molds, I think we still have a ways to go with predictions. Seeing as I think it'll be something European, I think it would be safe to say that Emerson (who's a Thoroughbred, which is an American breed), the Shagya Arabian, Ruffian, Duende (although perhaps he could pass as a warmblood or sport-type horse, but I don't think that's the most feasible option), Lonesome Glory, Bristol, the Andalusian Mare, and Valegro.

Nine molds left. Let's see! I tried to do some sleuth work and see if maybe there was a pattern with the gender of the surprise horses, to no avail. I did, however, notice that all the surprise models after 2013 have all been male. Maybe that's something? Who knows. Now we're down to the Clydesdale Stallion, Giselle, the Cantering Welsh Pony (with Newsworthy's tail- maybe Newsworthy is a possibility?), Goffert, Legionario III, Totilas, Croi Damsha, the and the Cleveland Bay.

Based off the fact that they seem to have a draft/sport horse theme, I figure it'll either be a draft horse, a sport horse, or a pony. Why pony? I say that because they might want some variation in the mix. I think they'd want to "cover all their bases". If I were to have to continue narrowing down this list (since I'm fairly indecisive and, therefore, don't want to), I'd probably pull the Clydesdale Stallion, Giselle, the Cantering Welsh Pony, Legionario III, and the Cleveland Bay.

That leaves us with Goffert, Totilas, and Croi Damsha.

So... in the order of who I think will be the Sláinte surprise, we have:
1. Croi Damsha

2. Goffert

3. Totilas

Now, let me just tell y'all that if it's Croi, my wallet's going to take a hit. If it's Totilas, it'll still probably be a teeny ding in my model savings, and if it's Goffert, I don't think I'll absolutely love all of them, so I'll be okay. With that being said, I have never owned a single surprise horse to date. Well, I guess we'll see, won't we? According to a friend, Teagan, who messaged me on Instagram with her guess, she agrees that the most likely contender, in our opinions, is Croi Damsha.

Also, little did I know, when I wrote a big chunk of this that. as of yesterday, April 13th, BreyerFest is moving online. Well, we'll certainly be curious as to how that would work out; Breyer, I have faith in you, though!

What about y'all? What do you think?

20/20 Vision

Hooray! Breyer finally gave us a peek at what regular runs to expect next year. I know y'all probably have seen a bajillion (yes, that is a word) of these blog posts, but I figured I could still offer my commentary anyway. I'll be going by scale, so I'll start with the Stablemates:

Deluxe Horse Collection- Various Molds 

So many breeds, ahhhhh! 

Featuring a plethora of breeds, I'm sure at least a few (I just love that Mirado and the Darley, who reminds me a bit of someone else, despite their apparent differences...) of these beauties will wriggle their way into my shelves.

Suncatcher Stablemates- Various Molds 

It's quite interesting that they continue to use the Alborozo in almost any run of multiple different models.

Although I do not plan on purchasing this set, I'm so excited to see what the artists of this hobby do with them!

Birthday at the Barn- Various Molds 

Well, well, well... Breyer's finally caught onto the fact that hobbyists are making mini boxes

I have similar commentary on this set, especially because the quality control on Classics is poor, but I might want the Harper, depending on how she looks in-hand.

Fairfax- Morgan? 

It's settled. I need this guy.

Okay, Breyer, I see you. I Have a soft spot for silver bays, and this new mold is incredible. At this point, I don't even think it matters whether or not he becomes a show horse, I just want this guy in my herd.

High Tide- Malik 

High Tide really reminds me of the new Frozen 2 horses, but he's adorable anyway :)

Although I don't absolutely love his mold, for some reason, this coloring on him really strikes a chord with me. I wouldn't be upset if he wandered his way onto my shelves.

Smooth Rider- Various Molds 

Is that a new Mariah mane variation I see?

Hmm... It seems to be that Breyer is branching out and making more mold variations recently. Eh, now that I look closer, it just looks like a more precise paint job, not a new forelock :( oh well. Regardless, it's cool to see Mariah used as a Paso Fino.

Racing the Wind- Various Molds 

I don't know about y'all, but I think Bella looks nice in grey!

I like these mare and foal sets they've been doing with the Classics series, but I wish more Traditional sets were made, too.

Spotted Wonders- Various Molds 

Dang, Knabstrupper Classics, they're really branching out with breeds.

This Knabstrupper set definitely a welcome change from the constant Paints, Quarter Horses, Appaloosas, KWPN's, etc... that they manufacture, and I find the Standing Thoroughbred mold an interesting choice for a breed with such baroque lineage.

Solaris- Brabant 

I really need to lay off my unicorn obsession, but this guy is just stunning!

If I get this guy, come to think of it, I feel like he might make a good etchie, and I don't know why. Let's just hope he's not shimmery (for the purposes of etching only, because if he is, I don't think I could bring myself to, or if he's glossed).

Breyer 70th Anniversary Assortment- Various Molds 

One of my favorites, the Dapple Palomino Saddlebred (in its URL, he's described as "Silo"?) 

Alas! A Saddlebred to show!  I can't wait to get my hands on this pretty paly. My two favorites from this Treasure Hunt are either him or the Pinto Smarty Jones (whose name, like the others, remains unknown, though in his URL, it mentions "Secretariat", not "Smarty Jones", his mold, which the other models' url's do... conspiracy? Maybe), I hope he doesn't go for sky-high prices!

Avatar's Jazzman- Flash 

Well, would you look at that? Another Morgan Flash!

It's no secret that the Flash mold is a frequent flyer in the Morgan classes, and he's about to be seen more, I assume. We'll just have to see in the upcoming 2020+ shows. Nevertheless, he is quite the stunner, I must admit.

Stingray- Wyatt 

Okay, these new releases might make me want to purge some of my Stock Horses to make room for these guys

Well... who goes? Someone might be voted off the island for this guy... I just can't resist his coloring!

The "Gangsters"-  Tony Da Pony and Bugsy Maloney 

I'll be honest, these guys are cool, but they're not my cup of tea.

Tony and Bugsy look like nice models, my main issue is just that older molds really aren't my thing, that's all.

Sable Island Horse- Croi Damsha 

Her shading is just stunning 

Regardless of her spot in my showstring, she is a must-have for my collection, especially because of the Croi conga I'm hoping to complete. I'm sure I can make room to show her though.

American Quarter Horse- Geronimo 

I'm so glad Breyer is making more use of this mold! I hope this handsome dude joins my herd.

I have a confession: I love the Geronimo mold. Thus far, all of Breyer's models on this mold, though, have been a bit too expensive for my taste, with the exception of Bandera. This guy is a welcome change. I do want to say one thing: he bears a striking resemblance to a 2018 model on this mold.

Favory Airiella Gift Set- Performance Lipizzaner Mare and Foal 

Isn't that foal's face just the cutest?

Ugh! Why does Breyer have to create such adorable horses? I want them all (but I know I can't, which is the sad part, but that's life)! I know I've been pointing out similarities in previously mentioned models, but I really think this one should be mentioned, not to hate on Breyer, of course!

What do y'all think of this new lineup? Who do you plan on getting?

Disclaimer: I'd like to give full disclosure that as of 12/17/2019, the date which this blog post was first drafted, I found the photos on Brittany's Breyers' and the Model Horse Madness blogs, then Breyer's website.