Farewell BreyerWest, welcome BreyerMidWest

I'm sure by now you've heard the news: BreyerWest is moving. 

This event was brought back from the dead by Erin Corbett in 2016, and was held in conjunction with the Northwest Horse Fair and Expo in Albany, Oregon for four years.

In 2020, it moved to Denver, Colorado to be part of the Rocky Mountain Horse Expo.

I attended every single one of the Denver BreyerWests.

While I enjoyed them all, I couldn't help but notice that every year the Expo surrounding BreyerWest got smaller and smaller.

I wondered how it would work when the Colorado Horse Council announced that next year's Expo would be held in an even smaller space. 

The answer is, it won't. Instead, BreyerWest is hitching its wagon to EquiFest of Kansas.

A quick glance at the EquiFest website indicates this is a much bigger and more vibrant expo, with A list clinicians and speakers. I can see why Breyer made the move. The only issue: Kansas isn't West.

No matter how you define it, Kansas is solidly middle.

Accordingly, this year's event has a new name.

I understand why this is disappointing to so many people on the left side of the country. I live here, too, and I know how long it takes to drive to Kentucky.

Trust me, I know.

days of corn

It was really nice having a big Breyer event right here in our backyard.

I will miss this so much.

But also, I know this was a business decision. Breyer has to go where the people are, and in 2025 at least, that's Salina, Kansas.

I am excited for all my midwestern friends who will be attending their first big Breyer event - or at least their first big nearby Breyer event - next year. 

I've always said that BreyerWest is truly BreyerBest, and in the capable hands of Heather Malone and the Breyer Events Team, I expect BreyerMidWest will be just as wonderful.

Farewell, BreyerWest. It's been a fabulous journey. Welcome, BreyerMidWest!

Friday favorites

If I'm being completely honest, this wasn't my favorite BreyerWest. That honor is split between 2016, the first revival BreyerWest, and 2022, the first post-pandemic BreyerWest. Despite the complications - which had as much to do with what was going on outside the event as what was happening at the hall - this was a good weekend spent with friends and surrounded by horses. It really doesn't get better than that. BreyerWest is still BreyerBest, and today it's also my Friday Favorite. Here are a few pictures and video clips that didn't make into any of the other posts. 

CosplayWest, part three

Confession time: My knowledge of the Zelda universe is rudimentary at best. I know there are horses, and Link is a main character, but Malon and Ingo? Yeah, I have no idea.

Fortunately, for the purposes of our post-BreyerWest cosplay photoshoot, Tara and Brian didn't need me to know much. 

They told me to give them a bucket, a pitchfork and some grooming supplies, and they'd make it work.

So that's what we did.

While we were doing that, Reece walked by with an extremely dirty Judge.

Just like that, a new set of pictures came to life.

I love this. I don't really understand it, but I love it anyway.

Here's the after-the-fact research: Malon is a recurring character in The Legend of Zelda series.In the majority of games she has appeared in, she is the daughter of the rancher Talon, who owns Lon Lon Ranch. Portrayed as a kind-hearted and responsible girl, Malon is often seen taking care of Epona, one of the horses of Lon Lon Ranch.

Ingo appears as Talon's employee at Lon Lon Ranch in Ocarina of Time. During Link's childhood, Ingo is found working hard at the Ranch, though grumbles and moans about the laziness of his superior, Talon. Conversely, Ingo appeals to Ganondorf and is granted ownership to the Ranch during Link's adult era. He kicks Talon out of the Ranch and orders Malon to do the hard work while he charges Rupees in exchange for short Horse rides. Ingo will also challenge Link to a Horse race after he recognizes Link's skill for riding Horses. After losing the race, Ingo challenges Link to another race, promising to give him the Horse if he is defeated. He concedes defeat after Link defeats him again, but attempts to trap him and Epona inside the Ranch so that they can never leave. Link and Epona escape the Ranch by jumping over the fence. After this, Ingo's personality seems to have changed, and he is now grateful for the opportunity to work under Talon.

Thank you again to everyone who came out to see Olive and I on BreyerWest Monday. Truly, this is my favorite part of my favorite hobby event.

CosplayWest, part one

A couple days before she left for Denver, Heather Jackson-Lain authored a post about bringing her Elsa costume to BreyerWest.

I encouraged her to do so, saying I could provide an Icelandic horse and a snowy backdrop.

So that was a thing that happened on Monday.

Of course, Olive had to get into the act, too. 

She started out cooperative, but got a little snorty when she saw the dress.

Heather helped her work through that. 

It didn't take long.

Perfection.

I am so glad Heather brought Elsa to BreyerWest.

Next up: Link, Malon and Ingo!