ONE STAR EXPERIENCE

Here is a write up of the 2009 event by Sharon Southard.

Holy Smokes, what a fabulous time we had at the LSE this weekend! Big Hugs and Applause all around for Breyer! After checking in at the Host Hotel, we unpacked and relaxed for a short bit as friends arrived, settling in as well. As time to board the bus for the Cowgirl Museum drew near, excited phone calls and knocks on the door began. By five o'clock, the masses were bustling in the lobby and since the buses were caught in traffic - poor guys - we had almost an hour to chat and catch-up! I love attending these smaller shindigs because you really get a chance to spend quality time with friends. Don't get me wrong, BreyerFest & BreyerWest are a fantastic time, but sometimes it seems to go by in a blur :0)

The Museum was incredible, and they had a bronco you could ride and be filmed - he he he - cannot wait to see some of those pics turn up on photo links There was a raffle ticket, open bar and served food along with a buffet of yummy food. The white Mac & Cheese and the fruit cobblers were delicious, and the staff was fun. The tall social tables each held a OOAK Blue Breyer model sporting gold hooves and sweet wee red bandana. Every person there had a smile for you. We were privy to some cool announcements and sneak peaks of the WEG SR Esprit - wow, they need to Dapple Greys like all the time - and a set of new SMs with brand new molds (not ready yet) too. Then, as we suspected, the raffle tickets were a chance to win one of the cool *Denim* centerpieces we shared refreshments with . . . and I am happy to report I WON one! I couldn't believe it! I have never been drawn for a raffle horse at a Breyer Event, yet and my number was being called. Woo Hoo! Now, my friends Linda & Becky Roberts were chosen first so the snagged the Wintersong Drafter (couldn't be too upset 'cause they are family and drafter fans too), but when my number was called there were still several of my favorites up there and I had a hard time choosing between the Silver, the Joe and QH Yearling, but ultimately went with the Silver. It was a great way to start off the weekend!

After a late night of cavorting and hanging-out, we managed to wake-up early, grab breakfast and loads of coffee for our morning trip to McQuay and Rose stables. Excited but sleepy, Stephanie and Beth gave us some time to spring to life before starting a fun game of trivia with awesome OOAK SM Prizes - a myriad of colors not used for the Mod Squad SR Key chains. We had about half before the tours and the rest after, and I was hand-fast-enough to answer one correctly and win a swirly pink/green ASB. The Orange & Blue groups swarmed McQuay farms shortly after 10:00 AM. Our gracious hosts were ready for us, and took us 'round to many barns showing us Stallions, mares, foals and the breeding areas. We also had some very nifty reining displays from a couple of young prospects and Shining N'Sassy herself. The facility was incredibly decked-out with all the accoutrements one could wish for, and anyone we met or spoke to was friendly and happy to answer all our many questions. Almost every horse we encountered was eager to enjoy a scratch and a kind word. I was truly impressed by their temperament, and enjoyed the spoils of happy horses with many kisses and head rubs. Loathe to leave, we sorta had to be corralled and herded back to the buses so we could head over to Carol Rose's farm and enjoy another horsy fix. Sitting just off I-35 is a picturesque ranch house surrounded by barns, pastures and a sparkling little *tank* (manmade lake). Met by the smell of brisket and horses, we were treated to a yummy BBQ lunch before heading off to explore the famous horses of a famous Cowgirl. I know Breyer doesn‚t command the weather, but we could not have ordered a better day - bright sun and brisk cool. Not wishing to leave again, we were successfully herded out of the barns and mounted the steps of our bus to head back to the hotel for SR shopping and the Saturday Night Gala.

The Boutique was set up like the SR Tents of BF, where you were given a random number and then one was pulled for the start of the line. Now, until this time, three of the special event horses had miraculously stayed under wraps - Six Shooter, Spindle Top & Stetson. The lucky first in line folks walked away with some extra special treasures, but all of us walked away with wondrous goodies of our own. I have to admit that Frankensteed is one of my favorites from the group and if you have been waffling on getting one, and you adore the weird, get one! He has wild eyes, fun stitching along his patches of color and glimpses of the *pink* flesh underneath. The Bull Wrangler was pretty majestic, Blue Bonnet gorgeous color and the SHS Dallas, with his long tail, was a hot ticket. I don't think you could go wrong with any one chosen. **Special note of thanks here to Breyer - they made a plan to allow those us who attended the event purchase the leftover models! So right before the doors open to the ballroom, a letter of the alphabet was drawn, and those with that last name went first, purchasing one piece if the wished.**

Meeting back up in my room, me, mom and about 15 others all milled over our new treasures and changed into our Western Duds for the evening. Hats, boots, denim and bling adorned us all when we found a table for the night's festivities. Ohhhhs and ahhhhhs heard across the room at the sight of the beautiful Centerpiece 'Diamonds'. The popular Fighting Stallion was painted a lovely pale Wedgwood with a lace overlay design with swirls whose tips ended in a rhinestone! Oh wow, we all were hoping our chosen seat would bring that boy to our homes, and at my table Kelly Weimer was the lucky lady. We love her for it, and secretly wished it was us all at the same time! She was so excited she was just giggling in disbelief. It is fun to see your friends so happy, and with a mold she collects :0) But, in case you were not the winner of the Centerpiece Diamonds, you did have a version in miniature waiting for you inside one of those giant awesome thermal mugs filled with candy. Of course, Breyer had a table full of raffle prizes as well. And do I mean goodies! There were Alborozoes NIB, a Conn AP Rubicon, a SR Mudflap, a SR Dallas and then three of the 'Diamonds' that were displays on the buffet! We danced, did the Conga and attempted the moves 'Thriller' in cowboy boots. It was hard to leave when the lights came up . . . no one likes it when a Breyer Party comes to an end.

Finally crashing about midnight, my crew slept hard and late, not getting out of bed until 10 AM. There was a nice big lunch and social session arranged by Kim Wandrey & Brad Johnson for everyone on Sunday, so we did have a few hours of reminiscing before hitting the road or the airways. How long till BreyerWest?

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