Toronto's Autumn Live 2018 • Show Report •
This year was Autumn Live's 5th Anniversary, and we opened in a NEW, BIGGER location; to celebrate, the theme was "Jurassic Horse Park" where dinosaurs figured into everything. They dominated the Fun Class, became prizes & cookies for the hard-working models (and their owners) and much hilarity ensued...
What a great way to begin a new era!
Also new this year was the Children's Show and two additional Divisions: expanding our "Other OF" with another for anything not already covered in the big brand or mini classes, and also "OF Toy Make" for everything CollectA, Schliech and the like - the horses that got us hooked in the first place, and who many young showers still use as a "gateway" into the hobby. The idiom "if you build it, they will come" could not be more true - these divisions provided a fascinating range of models you don't get to see every day, like Julips, terrific vintages, and many unusual makes; it was a marvelous museum of model horses in microcosm.
... and you thought Camilla was big...
Autumn Live has always been a "teaching show", with judges who are happy to share their knowledge, and where showers are encouraged to ask for feedback, particularly in the many Novice Classes.
part of the team at work
This year was no exception, and a hard-working judging team kept the show running smoothly and finishing on time -- even with the additional divisions & taking the time to explain to the "shadows" why the placings were happening as the show progressed. With this, we have successfully grown both the number of knowledgeable hobbyists and those confident to judge in an area where just a few years ago were hardly enough hobbyist to support an annual show. And that's fantastic!!
Great community, amazing models, what else is there....?
....oh right, prizes!
right; CM Breed Champ TS Majestad, owned by Ann Johnson
below; OF Champ Asherah,
owned by Lynn Cassels-Caldwell
For our 5th Anniversary, rainbow ribbons were a throwback to our first show, and who doesn't love rainbows? And what else can brighten your day then that favorite model winning a big, bright beautiful ribbon? It's not the only reason we go to the shows, but it sure is icing on top to an already fabulous day!
And then, there are raffles...
Amanda Mills was certainly in the next solar system when she was drawn for the amazingly handsome Vulcan!
And Meghan Murray couldn't believe her luck when her name was called for the very shiny Bella.
On the regular raffle table were some very lovely donated items, including models, resins, props, and the yearly CM Halloween Horse ; every bit helps to support the show and it's the judges... A HUGE thanks goes out to all the people who made it happen -- the judges, the helpers, photographers, and to the showers too who came to celebrate their hobby.
Great appreciation goes out to Breyer as well for being a cornerstone of that hobby and by supporting shows at the ground level with models like Vulcan & Glossy Bella.
Autumn Live is indeed a labour of love for a hobby that has grown so much these past five years, and I can't wait to see what next year brings!
Neena Bickram,
Show Host Autumn Live