The long game

From the moment I learned of its existence, I wanted to show my model horses in performance. Back then, I didn't have any of the tack, props or dolls that I have now. All I had were a handful of original finish Breyers and plans. 

Oh, so many plans! 

Some of the biggest and most ambitious plans involved a big herd of properly scaled model cows. Three or four wouldn't do. I wanted enough to set up a cattle drive or a really good cutting photo.

The problem, as always, was cost. Resin cows don't cost as much as resin horses, but they aren't cheap either. I couldn't afford to buy an entire herd at once, so I made a deal with myself. Every time I saw a resin cow for sale below a certain price point, I would buy it without hesitation. Slowly but surely - one bargain priced cow at a time - I've been building my herd for the last two plus decades.

Yesterday, I was taking photos for Danielle Feldman's Why the Chicken Crossed the Road Photo Show.

My main Western horse, Dun Up Purdy, needed two new photos to round our the Western division. The first was Extreme Cowboy. 

The second was Cutting/Roping. Cutting seemed like a better option for him, so I started unpacking the cows. One, two, three, four, five six, seven, eight! It was more than I'd expected, and that's not counting any of the calves, steers, dodging or stuck cows.

It's not as impressive as Laura Skillern's herd, but it's getting there.

Performance showing is a long game, and I am playing to win.