Above is the #1 casting of Standing Ovation, CM'd to a gelding which will be painted by Karen Caldwell to match Gail Aspinwall's own ASB, Supreme Tempest. The other photos depict the mold making process of this edition. The edition was an overnight sell out, and the waiting list is longer than the reservation list. We have committed to making this a One Mold Run and will live with that decision to retain a higher value on him. Thanks to all who decided to purchase this new edition.

After three weeks of ardent sculpting and resculpting, I want to share the progress I have been making on my new ASB stallion which I have renamed, Standing Ovation. After looking at how elegant and refined he has become, his original name no longer suited him. I still have a lot of detailing to do on him, but should be able to finish him up in a week or two. If you want to see photos of how he is progressing, click on his photo above.

HM Valentino "The Lover", my CM Renovatio resin, painted by Karen Caldwell, had his debut at the Hearts N' Horses Live Model Horse Show on Saturday, February 16th, 2008 at the Fulton Park Community Center in Portland, Oregon. The show offered Performance only for Traditional sized models, so Valentino entered everything I could possibly have time to tack him up for, which was 12 classes in all. By the end of the day, he and I were both exhausted. I also showed my CM Peasant Stomper, HM Blue Moon, also painted by Karen Caldwell, in two classes. Out of fourteen classes with two horses, we came away with 13 NAN cards, 9 firsts, 4 seconds, one third, 3 Division Championships, 2 Reserve Division Championships, Overall CM Performance Champion and Overall Performance Champion of the whole show! Valentino won the awesome saddle set made by Erin Corbett for being named Overall Performance Champion. It was meant to be, as his name, Valentino fits perfectly with his Valentine heart saddle set! I don't think I have ever entered one horse in so many performance classes before, but I wanted to show how versatile the new Reno resin really is. Below is the breakdown of the classes he entered and how he did:

1st Place -Roping/Other Cow Work (Calf Roping)
1st Place -Gymkhana - Non Speed Games (Egg and Spoon Race)
1st Place -Natural Western Trail (Beach Trail Scene)
1st Place -Fine Harness (Backing up)
1st Place -Arabian Costume - Historical (King's Egyptian Dancing Horse Costume)
1st Place -Arena English Trail (Sidepass to a Gate)
1st Place -English Games (Egg and Spoon Race)
1st Place -English Pleasure (Backing up)
2nd Place -Arena Western Trail (Sidepass to a Gate)
2nd Place -Parade Costume (Rose Parade Costume)
2nd Place -Natural English Trail (Beach Trail Scene)
3rd Place -Dressage- Upper Levels (Freestyle Dressage scene)

Champion Working Western Division
Champion Harness Division
Champion English Trail/Pleasure/Other Division
Reserve Champion Costume Division

Overall CM Performance Champion
Overall Performance Champion

HM Blue Moon entered in two classes and came home with two NAN cards, 1st in Draft Showmanship and 2nd Historical Costumer/Other and Reserve Champion in Showmanship Division.

My first WP doll that I made helped Valentino get 2nd in the huge WP Arena Trail class. I also entered her in the MECAA class and she got 100% under judge Erin Corbett. I also showed a new Dancing Arabian Costume made by Heather Downing which won the Historical Arabian Costume class and helped Valentino win Reserve of the Costume Division. I also entered the costume in the MECAA class which also got 100% from judge Erin Corbett. I got to debut my new Dressage set by Jana Skybova which placed third in Dressage and got a 98% in the MECAA class under judge Melanie Miller. I wanted to enter more in the MECAA classes, but the props, dolls and tack were being used in the regular performance classes and couldn't leave the classes to cross enter. The one thing that I found the most challenging to make for the show was the judge's clipboard which actually worked! I offered my "judge" to help the judges at the show, if they needed a second opinion, LOL! My judge even found time to push his "Will Work for Food" franchises set up at my table. I brought my unofficial new mascot to the show too, which amused most and horrified a few at the show. I named him "Petie" and he is a OOAK Kitty Cantrell Hipcanarius. I will try to get some photos of Petie if I can get him to stop sqwauking!

The show wore me out, so I took yesterday and today off. I am taking a hike (some people give me that advice and I am taking it, LOL!) and will upload some photos of Valentino and his wins. I did not take my camera to the show as I figured I would not have time to take any photos (I was right). I would have liked to have shown what my set-ups looked like, but I will have to stage them later. I will get some photos of Mac and Buster in a few days. Both were well received at the show. Well, I'm off for my hike to see a couple of waterfalls.

I have great news to share! I am going to my first performance live show of the season in Portland, Oregon, Saturday February 16th at the Hearts N' Horses Live Model Horse Show (Fulton Park Community Center, at 68 SW Miles Street, Portland OR, 97219). I will debut my CM Reno and Peasant Stomper resins in numerous performance classes. Since I was sorely lacking in many divisions, I have been busy making dolls, tack and props. I have put my Fixit Sculpt to great use, including making a new scrambling calf, which I affectionately named "Buster". I hope to have a few blanks available for purchase at the show.

My BIG BIG news is I will debut for the first time, my latest WIP Standing ASB Stallion, "Master and Commander" which I have called by his acronym, MAC. So he is known as "Big Mac". Everyone loves a Big Mac, and this Mac is no exception. I originally sculpted him for Karen Caldwell, but I will be able to get some for myself too. He is almost finished, but I am willing to share him with everyone at this point in time. If you are in the area on Saturday, please stop by and visit with myself and Karen Caldwell. We will be busy tacking up, but will gladly stop to visit!

Just in time for Valentine's Day! This little sweetheart Zizi foal was being CM'd for my showstring. I have two other Zizis to show and decided she would get more exposure if I shared her with someone else. I tucked her head down to have a very curious look, curled her tail up over her back and gave her a fluffy new mane. Then I turned her over to Karen Caldwell to turn her into the cutest little butterscotch Pint abian baby! She even has a heart shaped kissy spot on her muzzle to remind you of what a sweetheart she is (not that you need reminding, LOL!) She is loaded with wonderful details and has the most expressive eyes. Dezi is ready to ship and can be on your doorstep by Valentine's Day! She is up at auction on the mXc (click photo above to visit the auction.)