Stock Show Halters

This is a halter I redid for a Customer to fit the horses head properly.  She went on to win 2008 Reserve Champion in CM Showmanship.

This Halter shows off her pretty face.

 This is the halter I made for the 2010 NAN show that won Champion.

Here's another TOPSA shot foal the weanlings.  This custom PS foal is on I did for fun.

Black looks good on Palominos.

I don't do foal halters to often , but this litte girl looks too cute!  I used this shot in TOPSA too.

This halter has the heart design in it.  This customer wanted it for a lunge line entry.

Here's one in a Brown leather.

Here I'm showing off the whole look.  Looks pretty cool!!
This halter is the RioRondo halter silver they offer.

This is a CM halter I did for Sarah Rossi for her gorgeous resin.

This set up is when I showed on line showing. TOPSA is a great way to show off your beauties and not leave the house.

This Halter is of Saddle Tan color.  The silver is from a bracelet. 

2010 NAN CM Showmanship Champion.  This was one of my highlights of the 2010 NAN show in Lexington Ky.  I made the showmanship doll in teal and the halter on the Matriarch.

                                Western Pleasure Saddle

  

Western Pleasure Saddle set in Dark Brown Stain

Lot's of silver and bling on this one, Carly sent me pics of the saddle set she liked from a real horse saddle site.

Front view of the set on the PS ISH painted by Sheila Bishop.

A well fitting bridle to complement any pretty head!

A rear side view shows off the flower design in the leather.  This is all done by hand.

The breast collar is showy and a nice match for the saddle.

A pretty site!  This is my Lady Phase that I just love.  A true winner in the show ring.

A top view.

This is a single ear headstall.  The ear piece is from RDLC on line, and the bit, silver, and buckle from RioRondo.

I just love this saddle set, I hope you did too.  Best of luck to Carly Smith in the shows!!

"Judging Dolls"

Many of us like to use the dolls in the shows, they are colorful and fun to add to the set.  But, they can hurt your chances for a win if not set up correctly.  Here are some pics of dolls in a live show to help you see what I mean.





  

 This doll is so incorrect that it takes away from the beauty of the horse.  Always consider things like this when you show.  This doll needs to have the knees bent and the seat flat on the horses back.  Put an arch on the doll by holding it down on the horses  back then give it a good bend.  Watch the head/face of the doll so not to have it looking out into space.

Here is a nice resin with beautiful tack that fits well , but the doll has been placed poorly.  Watch the hands on a doll, make sure they are in a position that a real person would be in. This doll needs more arch in her back to deepen the seat, then her knees would bend a little more dropping the heals down.

This dolls heals are up too much which causes her fanny to come out of the seat.  The horse looks relaxed but the doll looks nervous.

A correct seat and hands makes the horse and rider become one.  As you can see the doll's knee is bent and the heal is down.  Her face/head is in good position, looks like she is looking where the horse is going.

                2011 BreyerFest Open Show

Here I'm judging the English division at 2011 BreyerFest Open Show.  This was a very hard class to judge.  The models and set -ups were right on.  The BreyerFest Open show is truly a Top rated show!!

The hall is a large room  full of light,  a wonderful place to have a show.  Michelle, puts on a fantastic show.

As you can see it's very busy.

This is a Western Pleasure saddle set  I did for Tiffany.  Here  D' Arry Jone is using it for her CM Lady Phase that is to die for!!!

This is Beth, she helped me during the judging. She scribed the classes for records on wins.

I just love this pic!  Tiffany doing the Victory Cheer!!  If you have never been to BreyerFest or shown at the Open show , believe me you'll want to make it at least once for sure.

" Winners from NAN 2011"

Tucson, AZ

A veiw of some of the Champions

                     Part 3:    The Bridle



To make a curb chain, it takes two 1/16 strips of leather lace about  1 1/2 inches long, two buckles of choise, chain links of 3, and two small rings.



Skiver the leather lace very thin.

 Add buckles to ends of leather lace.

Add rings to chain links, place leather lace inside rings and position close to ring and glue.

 Here I'm giving the leather lace a little stain to darken them.

I've placed the curb chain on one side of the bit.  The leather lace is a little long, that's ok this is trimmed at the finishing of the bridle.

Beautiful! the finished look.





Here I'm checking for fit.  I want the buckle to fit between the eye and the ear.  At live shows I have seen the buckles at the eye, ( as a judge this is something I frown upon.)











The customer asked for a single ear piece.  This piece is from Sulser Saddlery on line.



Just slip the ear piece into place.



I like this look, nice and neat.

The finished bridle.  My reins are braided floss.  Bridles are a little difficult at times but they are worth the effort to make a really pretty set.  A good fit is most important and correct in material.  I have seen some really goddy bridles at the shows that over power the head.  Sometimes less is best.