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Beautiful and Unique Collectible Pony Figurine Jun 18, 2011
By Lalita Tawjareon
I first bought this Trail of Painted Ponies Poinsettia Pony Figurine when my family and some relatives from Thailand stayed overnight on New Year's Eve at Adam's Mark Hotel in St. Louis in 2007 to New Year's Day 2008. (Times have changed so quickly and fast - that all the Adam's Mark hotels across the nation have been sold (look up Adam's Mark on Wikipedia)- and the St. Louis Adam's Mark Hotel is now a Hyatt Regency. It's too bad because Adam's Mark Hotel in St. Louis was special. I looked at online interior photos of the current Hyatt Regency. After renovations, it looks really different to me.) Anyways, I remember that the Adam Mark's Hotel in St. Louis decorated their main floor/lobby with beautiful, elegant Christmas decorations, and that they had various Trail of Painted Ponies figurines decorated in some of their lobby displays. These Trail of Painted Ponies figurines were so beautiful that I visited the Adam's Mark gift shop and bought small Christmas gifts and souvenirs for my co-workers and friends, and bought this Trail of Painted Ponies Poinsettia Pony for myself for Christmas. To me, this pony figurine represented the happy memories I shared with the huge company of friends and relatives who visited us from Thailand and New York to our home in the Midwest. So, we took them to St. Louis as a present. The next month was my co-worker's birthday, and I ordered another one of these particularly for her because she loves poinsettias. During 2007 and 2008, the price for this painted pony was approximately $34.00, not the $89.99 it is now. The reason why this particular pony is selling for $89.99 is because it's a retired painted pony. It was retired January 2010 according to The Trail of Painted Ponies website. They have a section titled "Retired Ponies", click on that, and this pony is listed there. I just remember that in the Adam's Mark hotel gift shop that this painted pony really stood out to me. From the gold paint and the realistic-looking poinsettias, and the pony's elegant beauty and graceful free expression. I love that there is no saddle and reins on this pony. I love that the pony looks like it's galloping freely and under no control. Personally, I'm like the singer Pink, in terms of being more sensitive on the treatment of animals and humans in the real world. Like the singer Pink, I don't condone or like real ponies or horses being painted and stuff. As we've gotten older, my family and I have grown more sensitive to the feelings and treatment of both humans and animals, and thus, you won't see us hanging out at horse racetracks, zoos, or circuses. We do like visiting and supporting animal sanctuaries and animal rehabilitation facilities and shelters. Some of the most gorgeous photos I've seen are those of beautiful wild Camargue ponies and horses running free in south France. When my sister and I watched "The Black Stallion" movie, the one that was released in 1979, our favorite scenes from the movie was when the Black Stallion ran wild and free with a stranded young Alec Ramsey on the beach. Those beach scenes were the best and most touching because both the horse and the boy were happy. Anyways, I think the singer Pink would possibly like these figurines since they're painted on inanimate objects and they look similar to the carousel horse on her "Funhouse" CD cover. Anyways, I think these pony figurines make great gifts. And according to their website, The Trail of Painted Ponies have contributed more than $1 million to various non-profit organizations ranging in areas from animal protection, the environment, healthcare, education, and the arts for the past 10 years. So, it's always a cool bonus when you buy items from a company that gives back to the community. This Poinsettia Pony Figurine is honestly the only Trail of Painted Ponies I own and have. I really don't have much space at home to be collecting too much stuff. But for those who want a nice collection of unique art pieces, I highly recommend owning at least one of these painted pony figurines. For example, if you check out their website, the Trail of Painted Ponies has a Summer 2011 collection. Out of the painted ponies in that Summer 2011 collection, Jennifer MacNeill-Traylor's "Emergence" and "Unicorn's Garden" painted ponies stand out. The "Emergence" pony with the flying phoenix reminds me of the Harry Potter books and movies, and since the last Harry Potter film is coming out soon, I absolutely think that this particular pony would be a great gift for Harry Potter fans. If I met author J.K. Rowling, I'd definitely give the "Emergence" pony as a small token of appreciation for all the wonderful books she has written. The "Unicorn's Garden" pony is perfect for those who love unicorns. I remember singers Katy Perry and Lady Gaga saying that they used to play with Hasbro's My Little Pony toys as did I, and Lady Gaga saying she loves unicorns. Well, this "Unicorn's Garden" pony is perfect to give to unicorn fans such as Lady Gaga. Jennifer MacNeill-Traylor says that her "Unicorn's Garden" painted pony design was inspired from Dutch tapestries she saw. For me, the best tapestries I've ever seen in person are located in Hearst Castle in San Simeon, California, and Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany. When anyone mentions the word "tapestry", those two places are the first two things I instantly associate with the word, "tapestry". I visited Hearst Castle in the summer of 1997 and I still remember a lot of details about that stunningly beautiful place. I also remember, according to our tour guide, and books I've read on publisher William Randolph Hearst, that he and Marion Davies loved and owned a lot of dachshunds. I like anybody who loves dachshunds! I visited Neuschwanstein Castle in the summer of 1998, and I still remember some details of that castle as well. If you visit both castles, they will definitely stay embedded in your memory! Also, I think the "Westward Ho" painted pony by Rod Barker and Janee Hughes is a good current gift to give. For those who were happy when the Dallas Mavericks won their first NBA Championship on June 12th (my birthday) of this year, this painted pony has all sorts of Texas stuff. I think people such as the singer Kelly Clarkson would like this painted pony since Kelly loves horses, rescuing animals, and anything Texas-related. I've already met Kelly Clarkson many years back at a Meet and Greet in St. Louis when she headlined the Dasani Fest during the NCAA Final Four Men's Basketball tournament, and I gave her birthday presents then. If I had another opportunity to meet Kelly again, I would most definitely include this in my gift package to her. Anyways, there are so many themes from The Trail of Painted Ponies line/company that it would probably take a book to write about this company and all of their products. In the end, if you want to add some whimsical beauty to your residence, I highly recommend owning at least one of these painted pony figurines. They are definitely statement pieces and conversation starters.
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