January 31, 2014 starts the Chinese Year of the Horse. Coming around every twelve years, one would think that this is a “non-event”, but for the Trail of Painted Ponies, the Year of the Horse is a big thing, not just because it recognizes the spirit of the series, but more importantly because the Trail of Painted Ponies has not been produced during a Year of the Horse.

Trail of the Painted Ponies, Herd 1

Yep, you read it here first. The inaugural herd from the trail, consisting of the now legendary original twelve pieces, was released in 2003, which happened to be the Year of the Goat, the zodiac sign following the Year of the Horse. Now, in 2014, for the first time ever, Trail of Painted Ponies figurines will be produced in the Year of the Horse.

In a New Year announcement, Rod Barker, the founder and CEO of the Trail of Painted Ponies, announced that “The Year of the Horse will be full of surprises!” The upcoming January release announcement will consist of five new ponies, including a special “Don’t Fence Me In” Beauty of the Breed pony, much like the special “Painted Harmony” pony a year ago.

The 2014 ornaments will include five non-Christmas specific ornaments from the regular herds released over the last few years.

“Autumn Pony” and “Halloween Pony”, finalists of last year’s art competition, will make an appearance later this year and the Trail will also be introducing two new pony forms, a re-sculpted rearing horse and a new trotting horse form.

We will provide more information as it becomes available and we will talk a little more about Chinese year 4712, the Year of the Horse, as the holiday approaches.

[whohit]2014-01-02 Year of the Trail[/whohit]