What if, part two

I asked the question: If you woke up tomorrow, and all model horse shows were banned, gone, a thing of the past never to return. would you still collect the way you do now? What would change? Why? 

Of course, there are a lot of model horse collectors who already don't show. Their reasons vary - lack of shows, lack of funds, lack of interest - but the net result is the same. These people would not be affected by the showing ban. They collect what they collect.

Of the collectors who do show at least occasionally, many, including Stephanie Blaylock, say a ban on showing would affect her purchasing decisions. I’ve always just collected what I really like and enjoy, she says simply.

Diana Ruth Dubbeld voiced a similar opinion. My collecting would not change, she writes. I like weird and hard to find - but not necessarily valuable - stuff. I am a collectability person and don't really care about the breed aspect of showing. Collectability would not change if shows went away.

For a lot of us, however, showing absolutely affects our collecting habits and purchasing decisions. Here's Mary Vinyard's story, which is similar to that of so many showers, myself included. She writes: Had I not found live and photo shows years ago, my collection would probably be different. Like most, I started out collecting OF Breyers (and a few Hartlands). It's hard to say if it would have stayed that way with or without shows. In the early years, I did tend to just buy things I like, which included *everything* - OFs, customs, different brands, etc. Now my collection is (slightly) pared down. I want quality show horses - mostly artist resins - that I also like. I won't buy something if I don't like its paint job or its pose, but I tend to look for a horse with purpose - will it work for performance, would it be good for halter showing, is it collectable long term? All related to show potential. Would I still collect without shows - yes. I have no doubt there as I did before and have even in times where there are no shows (or time for me to attend shows). Would it look different - possibly.

For a lot of people, showing is the hobby. Julia Turner explains: Without shows, I definitely would not collect in the same way and honestly, maybe not at all. Showing, both live and photo shows, is *how* I enjoy my collection. I don’t have space to display them, and even if I did, living in California with earthquakes makes me nervous. Taking them to shows or entering photo shows is really how I “play” with my models. If I couldn’t play with them anymore, I’d have much less motivation to collect at all. That said, I don’t buy things only because I think they’ll show well. I absolutely have and will keep showing a horse that never, ever places just because it brings me joy to put it on the table or put its photo in a class.

Erin Corbett expands on this further: I think that one thing that can be unfortunate in the 'collect what you love' conversation is a sort of superiority re: not buying to show. I would gently challenge that, because for some folks, laser-tailoring a show string is a large part of the fun. For many years that was me. I loved showing, and I bought horses to fill specific needs to build a killer show string. I also loved the models and never bought anything I outright didn't like, but 'where will this show and how many do I already have of that class' was for sure a purchase decision factor. There's nothing wrong with that. 

Erin is right. It is absolutely possible to collect what you love and also what shows well. However, getting to that place is not a success only journey. Karin Hullatti writes: I went through a phase in my teens and twenties when when I bought things I thought would show well. I sold a bunch of vintage customs back then, that I wish I had kept, because they weren't competitive.

Logan Shortridge confesses: It was sad when I stopped showing because I realized half of my show string I didn’t even like. 

Without shows, a lot of people's collections would look different. Sue Newcomb writes: I would happily start acquiring more older models that I love but have absolutely zero chance in a show ring. I'm already doing this, but I buy show worthy horses, too.

Amanda Bowe agrees. I'd still collect, she says, but I'd probably focus more on props and scenes because that's what is fun for me.

Showing not only affects which horses people own, but also the quantity. Erin Verscheure writes: Without shows, I would own less, as I tend to let horses accumulate to fill gaps - looking at you BreyerFest Open Show! 

Chris Wallbruch agrees. I’d probably buy a lot less, she writes. I love showing and being with my fellow hobby members.

Laura Heidkamp says: Same, I would still have a good chunk of my core collection - there are some horses I will be buried with - but the social aspect of the hobby is huge for me. I wouldn't own as many without that.

This is a common theme. If shows were to go away, a number of people stated they would likely sell everything but a few sentimental favorites. Here's Teresa Buzzell's take: I enjoy the showing aspect greatly and would miss it a lot. I could see keeping favorites and buying a few here and there, but could also see stopping cold turkey. 

I get it. Showing isn't just about ribbons. Fabian Rodriguez sums in up perfectly. If shows were to disappear, he writes, my social life would plummet.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to weigh in on this question. There is a part three coming!