RTB Guide To BreyerFest- In Person Event

 What To Expect

For the in person event, this is almost a loaded question. There will be real horses, plastic horses, seminars, workshops, a place to learn about the hobby from the artists and big hobby names, and so much more. You will be able to shop the BreyerFest store in two different locations and experience the Kentucky Horse Park up close and personal. Each thing to experience will be broken down later in this Guide, so don’t worry about not knowing something now.

For the virtual event, this is a great question! While you will not be traveling to the event in Kentucky, you will still be transported there through your computer (or whatever you use to access the event) screen. You have it much easier because you have comfort and air conditioning and not having to walk miles each day! You will get to see equine demonstrations, interviews with Guest Horses and Hobby Members/Artists, view seminars, have workshops, and so much more. Each experience will be broken down later in this Guide, but I am holding off on that section until Breyer releases all of the juicy details that we so desire!

In Person Event 

Breyer's First Timers Guide: https://www.breyerhorses.com/pages/2023-breyerfest-first-timers-guide

For tips and tricks during the In Person Event, I have to always recommend our BreyerFest Tip and Trick Post in the BreyerFest for Beginners Guide. This post highlights tips and tricks that have been sent in by many BreyerFest veterans over the years and includes all of Breyer’s tips and tricks. You can find that Guide Post here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/roadtobreyerfes/learning_content

No matter what someone tells you, there will be lines at BreyerFest. These lines can be long, they will be hot, and you will get cranky. From the line that forms to the Breyer Store on Thursday night into Friday Morning to the line that forms to pick up your Special Runs, expect to stand in line. Now, that is not saying that these lines will be there all day long. No, they will dwindle in size during certain times of the day and then swell back up before dwindling back down again. My best advice, along with many of the Roadies, is to check and see what the line looks like. If you are not able to stand in the line, then by all means check back later. If you think that you got this, go for it! There is absolutely no reason to actually stand in the super long line to get into the BreyerFest Store on Friday morning, that is for the hardcore crazy people, like me. Breyer will restock the stores through the weekend and the same items are available in both stores, according to Breyer.

Bags are a point of contention during BreyerFest and there is indeed a size requirement of what is allowed into the BreyerFest Stores and what is not. There is a bag check located near the stores that allow you to store your bags for up to an hour, but you must pick them up after that time. Bags that are larger than a traditional sized model (around 10 inches) are NOT allowed into the BreyerFest Stores. This means that rolling bags of all sizes, wagons, duffel bags, large purchases or tote bags, backpacks, and all shopping bags are NOT allowed into the BreyerFest Store. The source of the size and what is not allowed is from the First Timer’s Guide page 1. Wagons and rolling carts are allowed on the concourse of the Covered Arena, however please be aware that this area is CROWDED and could potentially cause an injury, even if by accident. (I got ran over last year, LOL!)

There is a shuttle this year! It is recommended to use it, especially if you are wanting to check out the Clarion. The Shuttle Schedule has been posted in the First Timer’s Guide on the Breyer website and will definitely be getting its own post here in the group under the Let’s Talk BreyerFest Guide. The shuttle has two routes for the Kentucky Horse Park itself and two routes for the hotels. Definitely be sure to read this carefully as it has caused confusion in the past!

The Kentucky Horse Park Routes- runs approximately every 15 minutes

Red Route- This is a continuous route around the perimeter of BreyerFest. It will take you to certain stops through the parking lot and on the edges of BreyerFest itself. This is a great shuttle to take if you are parked out in the far end of the parking lot and need to get closer to the gates.

Blue Route- This is a straight shot from the Altech Arena to the Rolex Gate, which is the entrance of BreyerFest itself. It does not stop at any other location.

The Hotel Routes- runs approximately every 30 minutes

Green Route- This is the Clarion route which runs from the Kentucky Horse Park to the Clarion Hotel on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings from 5 PM EDT to 11:30 PM EDT.

Yellow Route- This is the Hotels route and it services the local hotels in the area- The Candlewood Inn and Suites, the Embassy Suites, Mainstay Suites and Quality Inn, and the Clarion. It does not go to any other local hotels. The hours are not listed, but it would appear to be the same as the Green Route.

The maps to the Shuttle Information will be posted in the Let’s Talk BreyerFest Guide Post about Shuttles.

Models

Every ticket comes with a model. That’s right, you read that correctly. Every BreyerFest Ticket comes with one Event Model. What are the Event Models? The Celebration Horse Model and the set of four Stablemates are the event models. You can find their pictures in this album: https://www.facebook.com/media/set?set=oa.557111729556339&type=3

The VIP Ticket will come with one Celebration Horse Model and a full set of the Event Stablemates. *

The All Access Ticket will come with one Celebration Horse Model *

The General Access Ticket will come with one randomly selected Event Stablemate *

*Reminder that this is only the Event Models and not the other models released for BreyerFest.

For the Celebration Horse Model, you will be able to redeem your Redemption Ticket at the Special Run Line or the Event Model Pickup location, depending on your ticket type. There will be a map placed in the Let’s Talk BreyerFest Guide. You can pick up these models all weekend long.

For the Event Stablemates, General Access Ticket Holders will be able to redeem their Redemption Tickets at the Event Model Pickup Tent. You can pick up these models all weekend long. Breyer states that these are randomly selected and many people will stick to that, however if the lines are not too bad, they MIGHT give you the Stablemates that you select.

VIP Ticket Holders- You will be picking up ALL of your models at the Special Run Line Tent. This means that your Celebration Horse Redemption Ticket, your full set of Event Stablemates Redemption Ticket, your two Special Run Redemption Tickets, and your two Limited Edition Redemption Tickets will all be turned in here and the model horses will be given to you in this location.

All Access Ticket Holders- You will be picking up your Special Run Redemption Tickets (both the labeled ones and the Wild Card ones) at the Special Run Line Tent. You can choose to redeem your Celebration Horse Model in this tent or in the Event Model Pickup Tent.

General Access Ticket Holders- You will be redeeming your Event Stablemate Redemption Ticket models at the Event Model Pickup Tent.

Special Runs

As mentioned above, there is a Special Run Line Tent this year. This is where all of the VIP and All Access Ticket Holders will redeem their Redemption Tickets for the Special Runs. There will be a line set aside for the Wild Card Redemption Tickets per the First Timer’s Guide on Breyer’s website page 8. This will be the only place to pick up the Special Runs.

Limited Editions

If you do not have a VIP Ticket, you will be purchasing your Limited Editions in either of the BreyerFest Stores. Stock does get restocked daily, so if they are sold out, check back later.

If you have a VIP Ticket, you will be redeeming the Redemption Tickets for the two Limited Editions that you have already paid for in the Special Run Line Tent. All other Limited Editions that you would like to purchase will be available in the BreyerFest Stores.

Online Only Limited Editions

These Limited Editions are available to all ticket holders during BreyerFest weekend, however you must purchase them via the website. This model is not available for VIP Ticket Holders to pre-purchase.

Special Runs for the All Access Ticket Holders

There are no Special Run Times any more. Special Runs can be paid for and picked up all weekend long.

If you purchase your All Access Tickets before the Special Run Preference List cut off in Spring (There will be an announcement), then you will be using the Special Run Preference List to rank the special runs in the order that YOU like them. From that list, Breyer will do everything that they can using an unreleased algorithm to select the Special Runs near the top of that list. When you receive your Ticket Books, you will be able to see which Special Runs were selected for you as their Redemption Tickets will be in that Ticket Book. If your selections were not available, you should be receiving a Wild Card Redemption Ticket.

If you purchase your All Access Tickets after the Special Run Preference List cut off in Spring, all of your Redemption Tickets will be Wild Card Tickets.

You will be paying for and picking up your Special Runs at the event in July.

You can definitely read more about Special Runs, Limited Editions, and all of the model information in our Guides linked at the top of this post.

Activities at BreyerFest

BreyerFest is a place where you can do so much that it is physically impossible to experience it all in one day or even one weekend! However, if you are like me, you will do your best to do that. Take my advice- Pace Yourself! It is hot and humid in Kentucky. Make sure to drink a lot and don’t forget to eat. Check out the Museums if you get too hot.

Covered Arena

The Covered Arena is the hopping place to be during BreyerFest. This is where the Equine Demonstrations happen and you will get to see those awesome Guest Horses perform and do what they do best! This is also where you will find the Breyer Booth, the Vendor Marketplace, the Breyer Lounge, and the Breyer Baby Lounge.

Seating in the Covered Arena is limited so if you want to sit down and watch the demonstrations, make sure to get there early or stalk the sections, like I do. There is a snack stand in the Covered Arena, so you do not have to go far for food, unless you want to.

The Breyer Booth is the place to check out the BreyerFest Silent Auction. There are many donations from BreyerFest Vendors, Guest Horse Owners, and artists to bid on all weekend long. Bidding ends on Sunday at noon. You must be present at the Breyer Booth to win.

There is NO Information regarding Raffles at this time

The Breyer Lounge is a paid in advance place to relax and watch the Equine Demonstrations. This area provides air conditioning, a place to relax, and light refreshments. Tickets are required and space is limited. When these tickets go on sale, there will be a post. There are no physical tickets for this location, so you will need to save your email confirming that you have purchased this ticket. Names will be checked when you arrive.

The Breyer Baby Lounge is for parents that are looking for a bit more privacy and quiet to take care of their little ones. This area offers a private room with a changing table, a changing pad, chairs, and electricity. You do not need a ticket to access this area.

Around the Covered Arena

This is the area that surrounds the Covered Arena, but it outside of the actual arena itself.

The Hobby Center

Known as the Hands On Hobby Tent in the past, this is a great place to learn from some of the hobby greats. From artists that will show you how to paint a model to customizers that show you how to hack up and reposition a model to make it something completely new, you will definitely find something to peak your interest here. Don’t forget to stop by, see what they are working on, and talk to them. You never know what you will learn about!

Diorama Contest

VIP and All Access Ticket Holders that are participating in this contest will need to drop off their entries at the Hobby Center Tent on Friday between 9 AM EDT and 5 PM EDT. Entries will be on display to the public until Saturday at 4 PM EDT and the winners will be announced by 1 PM EDT on Sunday. Unclaimed Dioramas will be discarded. Please make sure that you read all of the contest information before entering this contest, especially the fine print.

Special Run Line Tent

This HUGE Tent is being the place for three different things this year. VIP Ticket Holders will be picking up their models (all of them) using the Redemption Tickets in their Ticket Books here, All Access Ticket Holders will be picking up their Redemption Card Special Runs here as well as the Wild Card Redemption Card models here. For those with All Access Tickets, you are also able to pick up your Celebration Horse Models here as well.

Event Model Pickup Tent

Located next to the Special Run Line Tent, this tent is the place to pick up your Event Models for the All Access and the General Access Ticket Holders. This tent shares a line with the line tent for the BreyerFest store in the Covered Arena.

Collector Club Tent

Located at the foot of the ramp to the Covered Arena, this tent is open to Collector Club members only. Yes, you can take your kids inside. Please do not leave your kids unattended outside the tent- they might be used for bag holders! This is a place to sit down in some fans and shade, have some water, chat with Breyer staff, and see what the Collector Club and other Clubs have in store for the rest of the year.

Guest Horse Autographs

Over in the barns, there is a section that is highly spoken about. This is a place to meet, greet, and get the autographs of this year’s portrait models that are at BreyerFest. There will be a full schedule in the program that highlights when you will be able to see each horse and get that model signed and the full schedule will be posted here in the group as well. There will be staff members on hand to answer questions directly related to this area during the event. Signings are limited to 200 people each and numbers are handed out fifteen minutes before the horse’s session. This area is super busy, so it is recommended to stay where the Breyer staff says and definitely do not get in the way of the horses that are grazing, being worked, or being groomed.

The Altech Arena

Standing over by itself, away from the main area of the Kentucky Horse Park, stands the revolutionary Altech Arena. Air conditioned and with plenty of room, this arena is home to several things during BreyerFest.

BreyerFest Open Show and Children and Youth Show

The Open Show is Friday 7 AM EDT to 5 PM EDT and the Youth and Children’s Show is Saturday 8 AM EDT to 4 PM EDT. Located in the North Exhibit Hall, you do need to pre-register to attend these Shows. Registration will be announced soon and there will be a post in this group. These entries sell out fast! Guests are welcome to come observe and you can look around at all of the awesome models, however definitely do not touch and be very careful not to disturb anyone.

Workshops

Located in the South Exhibit Hall in the Altech Arena, these workshops are a great hand on introduction to all things model horse. Workshops are open to VIP and All Access Ticket Holders and you will need to re-register before the event. These will be released soon and do sell out fast. If you are a parent and you want your child to attend the workshop, you will need to be with them. If you are wanting to participate in the workshop alongside your child, you will need to register for the workshop as well.

The BreyerFest 5K

Taking place on Sunday during BreyerFest, this benefit 5K runs a lovely route around a portion of the Kentucky Horse Park, starting at the Altech Arena. You will need to register in advance. This can be done online after BreyerFest Tickets go on sale or before the race on Sunday at 6:30 AM EDT. There are awards handed out after the race. Each participant will receive a BreyerFest 5K finisher’s medal and a commemorative t-shirt. Packet pick up and onsite registration will take place Friday and Saturday near the Covered Arena.

Other Activities Around The Kentucky Horse Park During BreyerFest

These are free activities that you can experience during the event. Some might include things that you can purchase and some might be entirely free.

Stablemate Painting

This FREE activity is open to all ages, parents and kids alike. Located in the Annex ring, which is behind the Covered Arena, this large tent is the location to paint some pretty ponies. This activity is limited to one per person per day. If there is a lot of demand, they might limit it to just kids for a time period.

The Celebration Park

Located to the side of the Covered Arena, away from it and across a lovely bridge, this is place for all of the free activities. There are pony rides, a petting zoo, a kid’s jumping contest, circus performers and face painting, the Big Dig, Dock Dogs, and a Car Show! I am still trying to talk my dad into taking his 51 Chevy Business Coupe there, but he is complaining that no one will want to see it since it caught on fire. It was barely even touched! Like just paint bubbles. Anyway, that is not for here.

In this area, there will be a Beer Garden and food trucks so that you can rest and relax in the shade with some good entertainment and refreshments.

The Visitors Information Center

This is the place to preview all of the Live Auction models on Friday before the Auction on Saturday evening.

This is also the place for the free Seminars. These seminars are open to all ticket holders and are about 60 minutes long and feature a wide array of presenters. The complete list and schedule will be released in the Program and posted in the group when available.

The Kentucky Horse Park

Included in your BreyerFest Ticket is admission to the greatest place in the world for equine lovers, the Kentucky Horse Park. Some things to not miss out on as you adventure around the park is:

The Hall of Champions

The Breeds Barn

The Kid’s Barn

The Big Barn

The International Museum of the Horse

The American Saddlebred Museum

The Gift Shop (Some Breyers are sold there)

and so many other things to see and do.

There will also be several live horse shows during BreyerFest weekend so if you feel up to it, take a stroll to the arena where they are happening and check them out! Spectators are always welcome.

This is about everything for the In Person Event that you might see and do around the park. Please make sure to check out our Guides for a lot more in depth information on everything BreyerFest related!