British Equine Collectors' Forum

Newcomers section revisions: 2007

Newcomers is to be split into three main categories and one subcategory.

A) Junior Section

Young people of 16 years or under. 

This ends at the member's 17th birthday to roughly coincide with  the end of formal schooling in 

year 11 (year 12 in Scotland) 

B) Senior Section

People of 17 years old and over (there is no upper limit) who are new to the model horse collecting 

hobby. These people may remain as Newcomers for 2 years unless they are deemed to be of a 

standard able to compete in open classes evenly. 

C) Returners 

Former active members who have taken a break of more than 5 years (eg, to go to college, 

have kids etc). The aim here is to allow them to get back up to speed and rejoin the main hobby. 

Subsection - Live Show Novices.

Anyone of any age with any amount of experience who is attending a LIVE show for the first 

time. These people may wish to have help from a Mentor.

What the BECF offers Newcomers?

Being a Newcomer isn't about having the most expensive or extensive collection of models. 

It is more about the models you love. It is about getting involved, having fun, meeting people, 

showing on a slightly less competitive scale and experiencing the model horse hobby.

The judging criteria for newcomers' shows is slightly different to that for 'open' entry shows in that:

a) It will be understood that some of the newcomers may be younger children showing toys as their 

first models.

b) Newcomers may have made their own tack and props and might not have as much experience in 

doing so as people who have been involved for longer or who are older (see point a)

c) Newcomers may be showing Original Finish or Factory Finish models such as Breyers, Magpies, 

Peter Stone, Schleich, Julip, Safari, MBH etc., or their own customs/part customs eg. horses with 

added markings etc. Classes should be judged bearing in mind these factors.

d) Not all newcomers are going to start out their showing 'career' with top notch models from award 

winning customisers. Judges of newcomers' classes should be aware of this and be sensitive when

commenting on models. Constructive advice may be given, for example suggestions of better classes 

for a horse to go in or perhaps guidance on tack and turnout. In fact, judges are encouraged to give

guidance to the entrants in these classes once they have been judged and this should be taken as 

an opportunity to learn from those who have been through the experience of being a newcomer already.

e) Models might not be Live Show Quality (LSQ) and condition of models in Newcomers' classes may 

not be as exacting as 'open' classes.

Newcomers are welcome to enter 'open' competitions but must be aware that higher standards of 

condition, customising and presentation are expected and that other competitors may be more 

experienced or even semi professional when it comes to customising, tack making etc.

If a newcomer's models are of an initial high standard they may be invited to leave the Newcomer's 

section early and compete wholly in the 'open' classes straight away, which makes it much more fair 

for all concerned.

BECF Newcomers Rep

*Details coming soon*