Just Stallions

Every horse racing enthusiast must know the different type of races, their requirements, and their implications on the horses that compete in them. Surprised that there are more than just one type of horse race? Then read on.

Every time horse racing becomes the topic of conversation, people usually think of only one thing, and that is the thoroughbred. But contrary to the misconception, there other types of horse racing such as harness racing and steeple chase. It just so happens that the thoroughbred is the most popular! In fact, the Kentucky Derby is known as the most exciting two minutes in the world of Sports.

The Famous Kentucky Derby

The Kentucky Derby is only part of a three-part grand slam horse racing: The Triple Crown. Imagine the excitement offered by the entire race. It’s triple the fun and adrenaline! The Kentucky Derby plus the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes complete the renowned Triple Crown prize. To this day, there are only 11 known horses to have achieved such a prestigious prize.

For the record, the highest level of competition for horse racing are the stake races. This type of race is reserved for the best horses, and even then, there is a required registration for each horse. The money collected is added to the prize money. When a Stake race is a Graded race, there is a certain appeal of class to it.

Other Types of Horse Races and their Criteria

Horses have to meet criteria before they can be allowed to race. A race may require additional weight requirements for better horses. This type of race is called a handicap race. The added weight is dependent upon past performances of the horses.

Other races sometimes require that horse must be a “non winner of three”. This is called an allowance race. Horses entered in this type of race is usually chosen to be prepped for better races. Most of the time these horses go on to compete in handicap and stake races.

Another type of race, and probably the most common, is the claiming race. A claiming race may also be “optional.” Before the race, owners are asked to specify an amount by which the thoroughbred may be claimed or purchased for.

You can rest assured that the racing field is leveled by this requirement. Obviously, owners will not list better horses in a claiming race. This type of race may be a good place to expose or train your weaker horses. Who knows? They might just need a little training to turn into a champion. Just make sure you are ready to part with your horse.

If you don’t want to part with your horses and you want to list them in a race to see just how they perform or to familiarize them with competitive races, a maiden race is the best avenue for this. This type of race is confined for horses with no record of wins. The winner of the race is said to have “broken his maidenhood.”

When to Watch Which Race

Race tracks usually hold eight or more races each day, combining all of the above-mentioned races. It doesn’t matter which type or race you watch and whether you win or not. In the end, you’ll still experience the fervent excitement that keeps horse racing enthusiasts coming back for seconds.

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Whether its your first time shopping for horse stall mats or your seventy second, there are a few things you need to keep in mind before pulling out your checkbook. There are many benefits to using stall mats in your barn. One of the biggest benefits being the joint pressure relief they provide the horses standing on them. This pressure relief also allows owners to reduce the amounts of bedding they use in the stall which can save money over time. They also help to reduce your stall cleaning time. Below we will be discussing a few different types of mats along with some helpful shopping tips.
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Breyer horses are at the top of the model horse spectrum. Each one is beautifully hand-crafted and life-like, and touched in the production process by often as many as 20 different artists and artisans. For the horse-lover, Breyer model horses are THE horse toy. In fact, they are beyond toys.

Breyer horse models are made to-scale and, except in the case of some of their special runs or fantasy horses, are made to look as realistic as possible. The company also sells an utterly vast variety of models in different breeds, colors, and collector sets. Because of their incredible quality, Breyer horses have lasted since their inception in 1950 and have garnered a huge following among model horse collectors as well as horse lovers who want to be surrounded by sculpted models of their favorite animal. Indeed, Breyer horses have become so renowned that there are whole Breyer model horse shows for model horse collectors.

In an attempt to keep their huge collection of model horses fresh and exciting, every year Breyer not only produces some brand new models but also retires a few. The retired Breyer models of course become instantly worth far more money for those who have them, and you can readily find a few of them on sale at eBay or at online model horse auction sites. Some will turn up at live auctions, too. But many hold on to their retired models and relish collecting as many as they can.

Amazingly, Breyer never set out to create collectors’ items or even toys. The Breyer Molding Company was a plastics manufacturer in Chicago, Illinois. In 1950, it was commissioned by the drug store chain F.W. Woolworth’s to create a replica horse to decorate a clock. This model #57 Western Horse was so well-made that people began contacting Breyer and Woolworth’s to see if they could buy JUST the horse. A living legend was born.

The collections that Breyer offers include:

* The The Traditional Breyer collection makes up the world’s most asked for horses since 1950 group. These are all hand-painted and each one is slightly one of a kind and realistic. These are sculpted in 1:9 scale.

* The SPECIAL RUNS consists of Breyer horses commissioned by a select group of retailers. These horse models are collectors’ dreams and are almost always limited production runs. The United States Equestrian Team Foundation the Tractor Supply Company are among the customer and Olympic equine athletes equine film stars such as Spirit are among the models.

* The CLASSICS are specially designed for authentic and imaginative play for younger collectors; they give them realistic horses and superior collectibility. These are sculpted to 1:12 scale.

* The WIND DANCERS are butterfly fantasy horses, and each one is made to embody a different one of the four winds. Breyer says they are “”fun, spirited, and gossamer-winged, with brushable manes and tails. Their ethereal wings flutter in the breeze as they float on the gentle winds of the earth, bringing adventure and excitement to those who believe.

Breyer also creates other accessories especially targeted at younger collectors.

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Horses have been a popular toy through the ages. Among these toys are sure to be Breyer Model Horses, the most popular horse toy in the world. Breyer is known for to-scale, authentic collectible horses. They also make special editions, and routinely retire several models every year.

While many people are first introduced to collecting model horses as children, it is a popular hobby among adults as well. Most will collect the special editions or those models that are produced to honor a particular horse… one of the recent honorees was Barbaro, the Thoroughbred who injured himself during the second leg of the Triple Crown and later had to be put down due to complications. Still other collectors only want certain colors, such as palomino, dapple gray, or chestnut. Some prefer to stick to a single breed. Luckily, Breyer horses come in many breeds, from Quarter Horses and Arabians to Thoroughbreds, draft horses and Shetland ponies. It is getting more common to see the rarer breeds represented as well, such as the Trakehner, the Friesian or the Hanoverian.

Breyer model horses come in several sizes. The Breyer Traditional Collection is the largest size, and is sculpted in a 1:9 scale. The Classic is done in a 1:12 scale, while the Paddock Pals are a bit smaller, being sculpted in a 1:24 scale. Stablemates used to be the smallest Breyer horses at 1:32 scale, but now the Mini Whinnies are even smaller. All sizes are fully detailed and come in a variety of colors and breeds. Some also are available with accessories.

There are some collectors who actually show their model horses. Photo shows allow the owner to take as realistic photo as possible of their models and submit them for various classes in the show, like halter, Western Pleasure, or English Equitation. Performance classes require the appropriate tack be on the model, and sometimes a rider is also included. Some areas host live shows as well. Exhibitors bring their models to the show to be judged right there and then. Winners receive ribbons and sometimes trophies for their models. Show models are sometimes repainted or even repositioned to make them more unique. Breyer is a favorite to use since they are already so realistic and come in so many different positions.

Whether you decide to show your Breyer model horse or not, collecting them can be great fun. Every year new models are released, and others are retired. Some go up in value quite a bit, especially if they are in good condition.

Of course, children like to play with Breyer horses, too. They can spend hours playing with them, designing pastures, or utilizing the many accessories that are available, such as stables, fences, barn tools and realistic Western and English tack to put on the horses.

No matter what your age, if you love horses, you’ll enjoy Breyer model horses. Whether you collect a hundred or only a few, they are a fun way to enjoy the beauty of horses.