By Dena Wood
The Times
No Horsing Around!
Model horse show at Town Hall in Waitsburg is serious business
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Dena Wood
Horses of all breeds and colors were on display at the Sweet Onion Live model horse show last weekend at Town Hall in Waitsburg. Artist Resin winners.
WAITSBURG – Waitsburg is no stranger to horse shows, but this weekend may be the first time one has taken place indoors. On Aug. 8 and 9, hundreds of horses – some extremely valuable – lined tabletops in Town Hall to compete in the Sweet Onion Live model horse show.
The event, which is hosted by the North American Model Horse Shows Association (NAHMSA), was organized by Shana Bobbitt of Walla Walla. This is the fourth year for the Sweet Onion Live two-day show, and Bobbitt said she brought it to Waitsburg because it was a "good location for a good price."
Between 20 and 30 entrants from across the Pacific Northwest, including Montana, Idaho, Seattle, as well as Canada, brought models to compete. Judging divisions included Breyer or other plastic, Stone, Plastic Mini, Artist Resins, Customized, Performance, and Youth, with dozens of breeds in each division.
The models are judged on Breed Class (conformation, breed standards, condition/workmanship), Collectability (rarity, age, condition, desirability/value), and Workmanship (prepping/sculpting quality, detail, paint/finish work). Show winners qualify for the NAMHSA North American Nationals.
In the Performance categories, horses and riders are dressed in costumes or depict scenes and are judged on how realistic the model/scene is. Bobbitt said Performance is the division she enjoys the most. "It's amazing to see how creative people can be," she said.
Dena Wood
Annette Kittleson puts final touches on Performance entry.
Those showing in the Customization division use Dremel tools and paints to transform existing models into a new creation. In the Artist Resin division, artists cast and create their own molds from which they cast a limited number of models, which tend to be more expensive, said Bobbitt.
Bobbitt said that organizing the Sweet Onion Live show was the result of many years of collecting on her own and that she thoroughly enjoys it.
"She puts on a great show," said entrant Annette Kittleson of Great Falls, Mont. "It's a goofy hobby, but we have fun."
Bobbitt offered special thanks to Waitsburg's Laht Neppur brewery for donating a growler with a fill as a raffle prize. "Someone from the Seattle area won it, and they were pretty excited," Bobbitt said.
To learn more about the Sweet Onion Live or to contact Bobbitt, visit sweetonionlive4.weebly.com.
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