To that end, I've been collecting Breyer foxhound bodies for years. I am slowly customizing them into running, jumping and even digging positions. Here are just a few of the dogs in my dogpile.
I am not very speedy when it comes to making things for myself. I don't know if I'll ever actually get all these dogs finished, but I'm having a lot of fun working towards that goal.
Here's that same stirrup leather looped around the stirrup bars of my old pony saddle. As you can see, some amount of "bump" is unavoidable, even when the stirrup bars are recessed.
I have two different strategies for making adjustable, model sized stirrup leathers. The first is to mirror the real thing as closely as possible. To that end, I start by threading a single loop tongue buckle onto a prepared length of kangaroo lace. I like to use a 1/8" photo-etched Rio Rondo d-ring for the metal part of the buckle. Photo-etched hardware is very flat which is perfect when you are looking to reduce bulk.
Thread the stirrup iron onto the leather and loop it around your stirrup bar. Tuck the loose end into the stirrup leather keeper and that's it. (I should mention that I don't generally attach the stirrup leathers at this stage of saddle construction. I used some discarded scraps on my workbench for the pictures in this tutorial.)
The second method for attaching adjustable stirrups to your saddle is less realistic, but works just as well. In fact, I tend to prefer the simplicity of its bucklefree construction. I start out by preparing a piece of kangaroo lace, but I do not attach a buckle to the non pointed end. Instead. I loop that end over the stirrup bar itself and glue it into position grainside up.
Thread the stirrup onto the lace and then bring the pointed end up and over the backside of the stirrup bar. Tuck the loose end into the keeper.
And that's it! The saddle now has buckle-free adjustable stirrups leathers. To shorten the leathers, pull gently on the loose end.
Here's how to lengthen them. Be careful not to pull so hard that the loose end comes through your stirrup bar. It can be awfully difficult to rethread the leathers once the saddle is completely assembled!
No matter which method you choose, be sure to spend lots of time preparing the lace before you start. Unskived lace will not fold neatly over itself and will always result in that unsightly bump. Preparing straps and leather pieces is by far the most time consuming part of tackmaking. It's slow, tedious work and it's tempting to skip ahead to the more enjoyable construction stages. However, if you want to make a quality product, it's important to take the time on the front end. I wish that wasn't so, but...
I didn't know Lisa, but I did exchange email with her a few times. Several years ago she contacted me about trading a costume for tack. I was interested but too busy to commit. Later, I had time in my schedule but she did not. I always figured we'd work it out eventually. Sadly, that was not to be the case.
Still, I did manage to add a small piece of her work to my tack collection earlier this year. My friend Regan was trying to sell this lovely halter and asked me if I could help with the pictures. I took the halter home with me, put it on my Aashiq resin and that's where it's been ever since. It's a beautiful halter and I'm proud to own. 
This Depeche resin is also piloted by a good riding doll. I especially like her fly whisk!
A really nice bridge and stream diorama.
Oh, the ponies! Apparently there are a few showers in Region X who share my pony fetish. Just look at all these lovely pony entries. It's like plastic performance pony heaven.
I believe this is a Stone pony customized by Liesl Dalpe. So cute! I'm guessing this set-up represents a riding lesson... Or maybe an Equitation class workoff? Either way, it's adorable!
A customized Flash in trail.
From arena trail to natural trail, here's yet another cute spotted pony.
Pony dressage.
Does anyone know who made this doll? It is simply the best jumping doll I've ever seen. I also love the crop and the little Peacock safety stirrups.
Last picture and it's another pony I recognize. This is a Newsworthy that was customized and painted by my friend Tiffany Purdy. I don't know who owns her now, but she sure looks great in this fox hunting setup.
Lauren's Cleveland Bay showed in the OF English Performance division wearing his BCS saddle, a bridle and girth by Pat Coulter and a saddle pad by Lauren.
Lauren reports: I used it [the saddle] on my Cleveland bay, to get 4th in a BIG dressage class (a new best for me!), a NAN card in the open natural trail class, and I think another NAN card in other english. Then for the stakes, It got a Top 10 in Trail, Pleasure and Other Performance (I think... it was madness there!). 
This is the Other English entry. Lauren customized the Breyer doll for this one.
Other side--love this set-up!
Last September, I attended a local gymkhana that used a two barrel pattern for their flag race. The riders started the race with a flag in hand. They rode to the first barrel where they placed the flag into a bucket. They then rode to the second barrel where they picked up a second flag and raced for home.
Flag Race is an event that can be adapted to riders of all skill levels. The Aurora Horsemen's Association allows young children to compete leadline style. This little girl is holding the flag as she trots to the first barrel.
Of course the best part of a leadline speed event is watching the handlers sprint to the finish!
Here is a slightly older rider heading to the first barrel at a trot.
Most of the ten and under competitors went pretty slow, especially around the barrels.
In this picture, the rider has just picked up the second flag and is asking her horse to "race" for the finish line.
Not surprisingly, speed increased with the age of the rider. Most of the older riders completed the entire pattern at a canter or gallop. After watching a couple of the faster rounds, it became apparent to me that there were two different strategies for getting that first flag into the bucket. This man is demonstrating the slower option. He has made a tight turn close to the barrel and is actually placing the flag directly into the bucket.
Here's a look at the faster option. This girl tossed the flag into the bucket as she galloped past it. She was able to go a lot faster because she didn't have to check her speed to make that tight turn.
And again. This girl and her speedy chestnut were the eventual winners of the open class. 
A look at their second barrel. These two were quick!
