Secretariat Movie Review

So, what did we think of the Secretariat movie?

First of all, I should set the stage... Our movie-going-party consisted of two adults and 3 kids. We knew we HAD to go on opening night, but the earliest we could work it into the schedule was the 10pm showing. By the time the movie actually started, it was at least 10:30pm.

As expected, the movie was much more than race scenes. They did a great job of telling the Secretariat story, including the story of the family members involved. The only problem with this was, at nearly 11:00pm, the three kids in our party had a rough time staying awake. That being said, if we had gone to an earlier showing, I don't think this would have been a problem. The story was certainly interesting, even for the kids.

Now, regardless of how interesting the story line was, let's face it.... the race scenes are what we were the most excited to see. And, I am happy to report, they DO NOT disappoint. The race scenes will have you on the edge of your seat and stir up all kinds of emotions. I saw more than one tear shed during these scenes. And, these tears weren't brought on by sadness... they were the kind of tears that come about when someone witnesses something really amazing. The kind that accompany an increase in heart rate and the holding of breath. The kind of tears that are rarely brought about by movies.

After watching the movie, we pulled up YouTube and watched some of the "real" Secretariat race scenes. It looks as if the movie maker put a lot of effort into recreating these race scenes in an extremely true-to-life fashion.

Do we recommend seeing Secretariat? Absolutely! This is a great movie for the whole family. But, if you are going with younger children, who tend to fall asleep during movies, go to an early showing.

- Blue Oak Stables

Secretariat The Movie

As you know, tomorrow is a big day for horse lovers... Secretariat the movie is in theaters!

Of course, we will be there. And, we will be bringing along our Breyer Secretariat.

Speaking of our Secretariat... as you might guess, he has a lot on his mind today. The following is a picture of Secretariat taking a few minutes to prepare for his big movie debut.

Be sure to stop by and visit our Breyer Secretariat in his Blue Oak Stables stall.

- Blue Oak Stables

BreyerFest Holiday Inn

Just got back from the Holiday Inn. If you haven't been before, that is one of the great places to go during BreyerFest. TONS of Breyers!! And it is a sure way to make yourself TIRED!

Over the next few days, we will talk about our BreyerFest trip. Of course, we will tell you all about our new Breyers! We are really happy with our new models! We can't wait to get them to their Blue Oak Stables home!

- Blue Oak Stables

Breyer Mare and Foal Painting Kit

We just finished up two Breyer customs! We started off with the Breyer Mare and Foal Painting Kit #4158. These are great to use for practice because they are fairly inexpensive (around $10). The only thing we don't like is that they have the imitation hair for their mane and tail. We prefer the regular material that you find on Traditional Breyers.

Anyway... we are really happy with how they turned out. We named the mare Dragon Fly and the foal Waterdrop.

- Blue Oak Stables

BreyerFest is Coming

Ok... ok..... BreyerFest is next week and we still have 3 Breyers to add to our site before then.

We will do our best to get them added in the next few days.

- Blue Oak Stables

Chincoteague Island Pony Swim

Stormy is excited to announce that Chincoteague Island was just named America's Best Beach Town by AOL Travel! According to Stormy, the most exciting thing about Chincoteague Island is the Annual Pony Swim and Auction!

The annual round up of wild ponies from Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on Assateague Island on Virginia's Eastern Shore has captured the hearts and minds of visitors for years. Volunteer firemen round up the ponies on Assateague Island and on the last Wednesday in July (before the last Thursday), swim them across the channel to Chincoteague Island where they rest before being herded down Main Street to the carnival grounds. On the last Thursday of July, from 8:00 a.m. until noon, there is an auction held at the Carnival grounds to sell the foals born this year. - Virginia Tourism Corporation

For more information on the Pony Swim and Auction, visit Virginia's Tourism Site.

Oh... don't forget to visit Stormy at Blue Oak Stables!

- Blue Oak Stables

Breyer Stablemate Rocks

Our newest Breyer Stablemate, Shakira, THINKS she is listening to some tunes.

Rock on, Shakira!

- Blue Oak Stables

Afleet Alex Watches the Kentucky Derby

Afleet Alex is sure proud that his son, Dublin, was in the 2010 Kentucky Derby!

- Blue Oak Stables

2010 Kentucky Derby Horses

Below is a listing of the 2010 Kentucky Derby horses, jockeys, trainers, owners and breeders :

1 - Lookin At Lucky
Jockey: Garrett Gomez
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Owner: Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, Paul Weitman
Breeder: Gulf Coast Farms

2 - Ice Box
Jockey: Jose Lezcano
Trainer: Nick Zito
Owner: Robert LaPenta
Breeder: Denlea Park, Ltd

3 - Noble's Promise
Jockey: Willie Martinez
Trainer: Kenny McPeek
Owner: Chasing Dreams Racing 2008 LLC
Breeder: Charles Kidder, Ben Kidder, and Nancy Cole

4 - Super Saver
Jockey: Calvin Borel
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Owner: WinStar Farm LLC.
Breeder: WinStar Farm LLC.

5 - Line of David
Jockey: Rafael Bejarano
Trainer: John Sadler
Owner: Ike and Dawn Thrash
Breeder: Sabine Stable

6 - Stately Victor
Jockey: Alan Garcia
Trainer: Michael Maker
Owner: F. Thomas Conway and Jack Conway
Breeder: Adena Springs

7 - American Lion
Jockey: David Flores
Trainer: Eoin Harty
Owner: WinStar Farm LLC.
Breeder: WinStar Farms LLC. and Dr. William Lockridge

8 - Dean's Kitten
Jockey: Robby Albarado
Trainer: Michael Maker
Owner: Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey
Breeder: Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey

9 - Make Music for Me
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Trainer: Alexis Barba
Owner: Ellen and Peter O Johnson
Breeder: Richard Schultz

10 - Paddy O'Prado
Jockey: Kent Desormeaux
Trainer: Dale Romans
Owner: Donegal Racing
Breeder: Winchell Thoroughbreds

11 - Devil May Care
Jockey: John Velazquez
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Owner: Glencrest Farm LLC.
Breeder: Diamond A Racing Corp.

12 - Conveyance
Jockey: Martin Garcia
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Owner: Zabeel Racing International
Breeder: Gulf Coast Farms

13 - Jackson Bend
Jockey: Mike Smith
Trainer: Nick Zito
Owner: Robert LaPenta and Jacks or Better Farm (Fred Brei)
Breeder: Jacks or Better Farm

14 - Mission Impazible
Jockey: Rajiv Maragh
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Owner: Twin Creek Racing Stables
Breeder: Summer Wind Farm

15 - Discreetly Mine
Jockey: Javier Castellano
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Owner: E. Paul Robsham Stables LLC.
Breeder: E. Paul Robsham Stables LLC.

16 - Awesome Act
Jockey: Julien Leparoux
Trainer: Jeremy Noseda
Owner: Vinery Stables and Susan Roy
Breeder: Flaxman Holdings Ltd.

17 - Dublin
Jockey: Terry Thompson
Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas
Owner: William Mack and Robert Baker
Breeder: Peter E. Blum & Gerry Dilger

18 - Backtalk
Jockey: Miguel Mena
Trainer: Tom Amoss
Owner: Gold Mark Farm, LLC.
Breeder: Clover Leaf Farms II

19 - Homeboykris
Jockey: Ramon Dominguez
Trainer: Richard Dutrow, Jr.
Owner: Lazzinnaro, Bulger, Mandato, Diamond Pride, Tabraue, Sallusto, Teel, and Borislow
Breeder: Dark Hollow Farm and William Paca Beatson

20 - Sidney's Candy
Jockey: Joe Talamo
Trainer: John Sadler
Owner: Craig Family Trust
Breeder: Craig Family Trust

Good luck to all the horses and jockeys!

- Blue Oak Stables

Breyer Alvaro

The last few days at Blue Oak Stables have been full of mystery packages. Yesterday we received another package, but THIS TIME our Breyers know exactly what it is. It is the Breyer Alvaro!

As you can see, our Breyer Horses are very excited to open this package! And, they are full of ideas as to what the REAL Breyer Alvaro is like!

Check back later today or tomorrow for pictures of our Breyer Alvaro.

Don't worry Trait... We're sure you'll still have the biggest butt at Blue Oak Stables!

- Blue Oak Stables

Breyer Alvaro

Just mailed in our money for Alvaro. Can't wait to see him!

- Blue Oak Stables

Breyer Pink Ribbon Horse

I should have mentioned in the last post... Look A Gift Horse is also supposed to be shipping the Breyer Pink Ribbon Horse on Feb 12.

- Blue Oak Stables

Breyer Esprit

Great news for those of you who pre-ordered Breyer Esprit from Look A Gift Horse... They are saying that Esprit shipments will be going out Feb 12. So, be on the look out!

- Blue Oak Stables

Colts Biggest Fan

This Super Bowl thing is getting out of control at Blue Oak Stables... Trait, you BETTER hope that washes off!!


- Blue Oak Stables

Breyer Horses Super Bowl

Who do the Breyer Horses at Blue Oak Stables cheer for in Super Bowl 44? The Colts, of course! Neigghh!!....

Breyer Connoisseur Alvaro

We just mailed our entry form for the Breyer Connoisseur Alvaro model drawing. I sure hope it gets there in time!

42nd Edition Connoisseur Series Alvaro:

Model Name: Alvaro
Breyer Number: 90154
Mold: Mustang (aka Semi Rearing Mustang)
Sculptor: Christian Hess
Decorated By: Karen Williams
Quantity: 350

- Blue Oak Stables

Baxter in the Snow

It seems that our new Baxter enjoys playing in the snow! Brrrr....

Since Baxter arrived at Blue Oak Stables, many of the other horses have complained about being hit with snowballs. We can't say for sure who is throwing them, but we do have a suspect in mind!

- Blue Oak Stables

BreyerFest Special Runs

So... When you go to the BreyerFest site, I bet you do the same thing we did... Go straight to the BreyerFest Special Runs page.... Well, looks like we have to wait a bit longer.

Right now they are only giving a sneak peak of the following special runs: Red Carpet Royalty, Tinseltown and Beethoven.

- Blue Oak Stables

Breyer Horses Discover Fried Pickles

A couple of our Breyer Horses, Idocus and O'Leary's Irish Diamond, recently discovered fried pickles.

We may never get them to eat their oats again!

- Blue Oak Stables

Breyer Esprit

More news from Look A Gift Horse. This time it is about the Breyer Esprit!

From what the people at Look A Gift Horse have heard, Breyer is expecting Esprit to be in their warehouse the first week in February. This would put Esprit at Look A Gift Horse the following week.

- Blue Oak Stables