A Model Horse Show at Gloucester County College drew model horse collectors from as far as Texas and Indiana, and raised nearly $1,500 in scholarship funds for students enrolled in the school’s equine science program.
“It’s a large hobby that not a lot of people outside the community know about,” said show founder Lisa Smalley, who owns her own real horse back home, and has been collecting model horses since 1987. “I was a student here for business administration, and they had just started the equine program, and, having my own horse, I thought it was fantastic.
“I had to fund my own way through college, so this is my way of helping others through school.”
According to Smalley, the $1,500 fund, amassed through the show’s entrance fee and silent auction, will benefit three equine science students in the coming school year.
1. Assuming each student receives the same amount of money, how much will each student receive?
Judges examined the 40 participants’ 2,000 model horses, taking note of colour as well as anatomical and muscular accuracy.
2. If each participant brought the same number of horses, how many horses did each participant bring?
There was no prize money — just bragging rights and, for the top two finishers in each class, a chance to take their collection to the national competition in Harrisburg, Pa.
“I’ve been collecting for 20 years now, but only showing for a couple months now,” said Kristen Moreland, from Maryland by way of Flemington, N.J.
“I grew up on a horse farm, and I still take weekly lessons, but I can’t afford my own,” she said. “This is sort of my way of staying involved in horses.”
Alyssa Shoemaker estimates she’s been to 2,000 shows over the past 16 years. She holds five national championships and five top 10s, and her sights are firmly set on Harrisburg.
3. Assuming Alyssa attended the same number of shows each year, how many shows per year did she attend?
“I was born with a love of horses; I had an affinity for them as a child,” Alyssa said. “At the shows, winning means getting the esteem of your peers, and it adds value to the horse.
“The most I’ve seen a model horse sell for is $2,000.”
While many of the entrants were veterans of the competition scene, some admitted they came out just for the fun of meeting people with the same passion.
“It’s my first time here — I just like fun I have at shows,” said 18-year-old Allison Pelke, from Yardville, accompanied by her grandmother. “But it’s also fun to get a ribbon.”
Would you like to find out more about showing model horses?
1. Assuming each student receives the same amount of money, how much will each student receive?
Answer: 1500 ÷ 3 = 500. Each student will receive $500.
2. If each participant brought the same number of horses, how many horses did each participant bring?
Answer: 2000 ÷ 40 = 50. Each participant would bring 50 horse models.
3. Assuming Alyssa attended the same number of shows each year, how many shows per year did she attend?
Answer: 2000 ÷ 16 = 125. Alyssa attended 125 shows a year.
4.NBT.B.4 – Subtract numbers up to millions: word problems
4.OA.A.2 – Divide larger numbers by 1-digit numbers: word problems; Divide by 2-digit numbers: word problems
5.NBT.B.6 – Divide multi-digit numbers by 1-digit numbers: word problems; Divide 2-digit and 3-digit numbers by 2-digit numbers: word problems; Divide larger numbers by 2-digit numbers: word problems
Photos:
Breyer Classics #667 Arabian Horse by puuikibeach; CC BY 2.0
Champion Breyer Horse by David Blaine; CC BY 2.0