Enesco has announced the release of the Winter 2014 Trail of Painted Ponies. Due to ship on February 15, 2014 are five new figurines comprising the Winter 2014 Herd of the Trail of Painted Ponies.

Included in this release are:

Rhinestone Cowgirl Pony

Rhinestone Cowgirl Pony
Every horse-loving girl knows the secret … it’s all about the sparkle! From bling on Western belts to dazzling earrings, bracelets and more, Cowgirls know how to ride through life in style. And no self-respecting Cowgirl would ever head out on the trail without her favorite rhinestone purse. Bring on the bling and saddle-up for the ride of a lifetime with Rhinestone Cowgirl. Shine On!

Krystal Knight Pony

Krystal Knight Pony
For a thousand years, artists, scholars and dreamers have been inspired by the romantic stories associated with the fabulous Camelot, the legendary King Arthur and the knights of the Round Table. Along with the love affair between Lancelot and Queen Guinevere, there were other romantic side-stories told, including the tale of Krystal Knight, a beautiful blue mare adorned with crystals and pearls who roamed the countryside and forests with a hot-blooded black steed that was dressed in armor, trained for war and loved her dearly.

Guardian of Sunset’s Gate Pony

Guardian of Sunset’s Gate Pony
As night falls, evil looms. Sunset is the time of day when Indian maidens, children and their horses are at highest risk of being stolen by warriors from other tribes. It is a dangerous time when braves with keen senses take responsibility for the protection of their people and along with their ever-alert horses, become watchmen of the night … guardians of sunset’s gate.

Yankee Doodle Pony

Yankee Doodle Pony
Fireworks, a starry sky, an American flag and notes of music strung across it all, this Pony reminds us of the song that was originally sung by British military officers before the Revolutionary War to make fun of the ragtag farmers that made up the colonial army, whom they perceived as country bumpkins. When the “Yankees” defeated the British, however, they began singing it as a proud anthem to taunt their English foes. Today, “Yankee Doodle” is one of America’s most popular patriotic songs.

Don’t Fence Me In Pony

Don’t Fence Me In Pony
Developed in Great Britain after World War II by Gypsies who wanted to create an artistic breed of horse to pull their highly decorated and colorful caravans, Gypsy Vanners are small draft horses popularly recognized for their long and flowing manes and tails and the lush feathers on their lower legs that swish when they move. When a Vanner stallion kicks up its heels and runs across a pasture, it all but calls out, with class, presence and style, “Hey! Look at me! I am special. I can do anything. Don’t fence me in.”

We expect these new additions to the series to be available to ship in late February. Pre-orders are now being taken on our website.

Trail of the Painted Ponies, Winter 2014

[whohit]2014-01-04 Trail of Painted Ponies Winter 2014 Release[/whohit]

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]