Originally published March 25, 2016
Gift Sets: Just the Two of Us - Mini Me Stablemates
Once Breyer really came to grips with the idea of the Stablemate line being more than impulse buy items, the ideas came thick and fast. "Mini versions of Traditional models? Why didn't we think of this before?"
It started small with a single Toys R Us special run in 2000.
#730300 TRU Reflections (2000) consisted of a buckskin tobiano Traditional El Pastor and a matching G2 Paso Fino keychain.
The pattern originally appeared on #116 Precipitado Sin Par (Cips) in 1984 and was one of the most detailed patterns of its time. It was later used on the 1997 Show Special #700297 Desperado before appearing with a buckskin base colour in the Toys R Us set.
Though the name was the same #740701 TRU Reflections (2001) had a different number and different horses, this time a dark dapple grey Traditional Cigar and a matching G2 Thoroughbred keychain.
The response must have been good because Breyer went on to create more Mini Me sets including a Just About Horses special run.
The #701706 Special Edition Connoisseur Set in 2006 featured five miniature versions of the first Traditional-scale Connoisseur special runs: buckskin blanket appaloosa Mini Appropos, dappled chestnut Mini Third Time's a Charm, bay dun blanket appaloosa Mini Quarterflash, bay frame overo Mini Mosaic, and black pinto Mini Masquerade.
The Traditional models were all released in 2001, Mosaic on the Lonesome Glory mold in the Jan/Feb issue of Just About Horses, Appropos on the Big Ben mold in Mar/Apr, Third Time's a Charm on the Saddlebred in May/Jun, Quarterflash on the Zippo Pine Bar mold in Jul/Aug, and Masquerade on the Iron Metal Chief mold in Sep/Oct.
Like the previous Just About Horses Stablemates special runs, this set came in a blue presentation box with a black "velvet" insert. Disappointingly, this was the only mini Connoisseur set to be released. Perhaps the detailed colours and patterns were too expensive to produce for this price point.
Many thanks to Sharon Walbridge for providing pictures for this post!
Originally published February 17, 2017
Gift Sets: Small and Mighty - Mini Me Stablemates II
The Stablemate Mini-Me models continued with two Halloween sets.
#5917 Spooky Stablemates Collection (2005) featured a glow-in-the-dark Mini Merry Widow on the G2 Prancing Morgan, Mini Nosferatu on the G2 Thoroughbred, and a Mini Skullduggery on the G2 Rearing Arabian.
The next fall brought a new set - #710016 Spooky Stablemates Set II (2006) with a glow-in-the-dark G2 Warmblood Mini Cryptic, transparent plastic Mini Illuminati on the G3 Mustang, and a G3 Rearing Andalusian Mini Phantasma.
A second Mini-Me set was available in 2006, this time at BreyerFest. 1,500 of the #711066 Three Ring Circus Stablemates Trio (2006) were made. The models included in the set were Mini Jade on the G3 Mustang, a stunning Mini Mauvelous on the G2 Rearing Arabian, and a transparent plastic Mini Tortuga on the G3 Friesian.
The most epic Mini-Me set was a surprise release at the 2009 BreyerFest, the #711080 20th Anniversary Commemorative Set. 500 sets featuring miniature versions of the BreyerFest Celebration horses from the past 20 years were available for purchase in the Breyer Store. The models came in an impressively large, double-sided presentation box.
- G3 Warmblood Jumper - 1990 Dr. Peaches
- G2 Stock Horse - 1991 Mustang Lady 2009
- G3 Mustang - 1992 Turbo the Wonder Horse
- G2 Clydesdale - 1993 Grayingham Lucky Lad
- G2 Stock Horse - 1994 Bright Zip
- G3 Standing Stock Horse - 1995 Mego
- G2 Rearing Arabian - 1996 Tseminole Wind
- G3 Standing Thoroughbred - 1997 Bold
- G2 American Saddlebred - 1998 Rejoice
- G2 Warmblood - 1999 Molokai
- G3 Standing Stock Horse - 2000 Leah's Fancy Chick
- G3 Trotting Arabian - 2001 Atlantis Bey V
- G3 Peruvian Paso - 2002 RSV Inolvidable
- G3 Belgian - 2003 Gladwin's Lucky Grey Lady
- G2 Andalusian - 2004 Nobel II
- G3 Friesian - 2005 Fire Magic
- G3 Cantering Warmblood - 2006 Joker
- G2 Stock Horse - 2007 Rugged Painted Lark
- G3 Rearing Andalusian - 2008 Alborozo
- G2 Thoroughbred - 2009 Whizards Baby Doll