June 2024 Breyer Photo Show Results

June 2024: And They're Off!

Judging by Didi Hornberger

Hi, I’m Didi Hornberger! A lifelong love of horses, and a lifetime spent intimately among both real horses and model horses, has led me to some wonderful adventures in the world of equines.

My first Breyer model was the “Sheba” Family Arabian Mare, and what a legacy in models she has given me over the years! I love making model horse tack and costumes, have volunteered at BreyerFest for the past 19 years, and owned 19 of my own real horses at one time or another. I also witnessed, firsthand, the Royal Coronation Procession of Queen Elizabeth II in London, riding in her dazzling golden State coach pulled by eight of her beautiful Windsor Grays, when I was 10 years old.

I’ve judged all of your wonderful Breyer photo entries for “And They’re Off!” by the following criteria:

• Adherence to Theme (Action and visual impact – “Speak to me!”)
• Clarity of subject
• Attention to details
• Correctness (Tack, clothing, background)

17 and Under

1^st place:

Mariner G., VA

Do you remember how to “synchronize strides” with your two inside legs to try to win a two-legged race? These pairs of Breyer foals have it down pat! Look closely at each pair of inside legs, ribboned together, and you just know they are out to win this race. No question as to what they are doing; beautiful background, nicely softened, appropriate footing. Subject foals and their activity stand out loud and clear. Even the foals’ expressions and head turns anticipate a victory! Wonderfully cute!

2^nd place:

Angelica L., TX

Yahoo – a furious finish to a flag race! Flying horses are front and center and excited riders are clinging on bareback, urging their horses on! The closest rider looks ready to stab her flag into her sand bucket first. A white curly fence is a bit odd for this event – I would recommend something a little less dangerous for a horse to accidentally put a leg through. Nice contrast between halter and bridle. The background is muted so subjects pop out, and the grass height is difficult to see but looks passable. A scene full of action and wild excitement! Who will win?

3^rd place:

Kadence W., TX

Harley and his rider are “ponying” a Thoroughbred racehorse. The expressions and head turns on both horses are toward the camera, alert and pleasing, and the pony rider is watching where she is going. Brass Hat appears to be wearing a snaffle bit snapped into his halter as opposed to a bridle. If he is just out for morning exercise, this headgear is okay. His saddle and overgirth are correct. Gentle Harley is ponying his charge while wearing only a halter and lead rope.

The pony rider’s feet should be in her stirrups for safety – if Brass Hat should suddenly decide to get frisky, he could pull her off of Harley. The footing looks a bit too deep for a racetrack. The muted background is nice, but the tree trunks are a bit too large to be in scale. This is a thoroughly heartwarming entry, very nicely presented.

4^th place:

Cora R., TN

Giddy up! Two friends are off on a bareback gallop together. Marzipan’s rider is in cheerful western attire, and she’s using a bosal on her horse. Jazzman’s rider is wearing English-style clothing with a helmet and what looks like a “bitless” bridle. The girls are galloping off in style, waved away by a friend.

The background is very nice and in scale. Marzipan’s stand could have been camouflaged with sand or dirt for a more realistic effect. The reins or lead ropes on both horses are too long and should be shortened. Scale of footing is okay, except for Marzipan’s stand showing. The riders look happy and forward, anticipating a spirited morning gallop together.

5^th place:

Merryn E., IN

This is an interesting view of a horse race. It appears to be a gymkhana, or informal event, running on a grass field.  The view of race shows perspective, with some of the smaller horses running in front and two of the larger horses at the rear.

Unfortunately, the power line and antenna in the background are a bit distracting. The footing is nice, as are the trees. However, the three riders in the front all appear to be standing in their stirrups, leaning over their horses’ ears. Should their horses stumble, put a foot wrong, or shy, these riders would be over their horses’ heads in a heartbeat. A proper race position should show riders crouched in their saddles, bent forward only from the waist. A nice effort, leading the eye away through the field of running horses.

6^th place:

Eliza M., CT

It’s a great day for a race down at the beach! Three horses and riders gallop down a sand dune with Barbaro in the lead, kicking up sand as they dash forward! I would like to have seen other two horses more clearly. Barbaro is front and center as the two visible rides urge their horses forward. Riders are “crouched” in good positions to urge speed. The ocean and sand look great. The black pipe cleaner bridle on Barbaro is clever tack, however a black pipe cleaner breastplate would have better matched the bridle. The saddle pad number is hidden by rider’s boot, so I’d recommend a longer shape with the number plainly visible. Making the riders’ hair appear as if it were flying back would have added to the “speed” factor. Regardless, a pretty scene full of action!

18 and Over

1^st place:

Rita I., NY

There’s no question that this is a Breeder’s Cup race, loud and clear. The horse is wearing the correct Breeder’s Cup garland, along with proper flat racing tack that is perfectly-fitted. Excellent in-scale footing, a lovely backdrop perspective with the time clock, track sponsors, and visible Santa Anita track logo. Beautiful!  

2^nd place:

Caitlin E., CO

There is knock-your-socks-off detail in this beautiful portrait of a Derby winner! Gorgeous, vivid colors, although a bit too much red in the background is distracting from the up-front horse and rider. (For reference, a Derby jockey does not hold the trophy while sitting on winning horse.) The silver trophy in the lower left corner has no relevance. Use of more greenery and much tinier red and white flowers in the winner’s circle florals would help the horse and rider stand out from the background. Tack is proper and neat. I would put the rider’s foot in the stirrups, although she could be preparing to dismount. Quite lovely!

3^rd place:

5^th place:

Cade R., AZ

Looks like Bugsy Maloney is rooting for the lady! This is a different kind of entry – a human foot race with a horse commenting, instead of the other way around. Very cute, and very fun! The grass length is very good, and the pipe corral fence is proper and good height. The background is nicely blurred so that subjects stand out. Not sure I would run wearing thick pink boots, but perhaps they are “neoprene” or other lightweight footwear. Unless this is a “walking race” – and it may well be – I would have made Ashely’s braids fly back to give her the appearance of moving fast, and maybe given her a pair of sneakers. The human runners appear focused on finish line, and Bugsy is taking alert interest. Very fun!

6^th place:

Sara B., MI

There is lots to look at in this ponying scene where a track pony rider is escorting a Thoroughbred on the racetrack. The background is well-done and the footing is nice, but a little “flat.” Tan-colored track footing is mostly loose sand and has a little texture, sometimes showing hoof tracks.

The horses that are our subject are a little too close to camera. The track pony in western gear is nicely decorated for a big race meet, wearing mane flowers and ribbons. The saddle towel on the #8 racehorse is in the correct USA racing gate position of “pink.” Both riders’ feet are correctly in the stirrups. The overgirth on #8 is in the wrong position – it should go over or through the saddle, not in front of it. The jockey’s hand position on reins could be a bit better. A very colorful, good effort, full of motion.