Oasis is the latest Connoisseur model from Breyer.  It shipped recently, and many fans are reporting having received theirs already.  (Many more report that they are turning theirs right around and shipping them back out again, having re-sold them in the interim.)  Pretty impressive, considering that the shipping happened over the holiday season, and the drawing was just held on December 15th!

Breyer began the Connoisseur series in 2001.  The Connoisseur models are made in special limited runs of only 350 models per run.  Each horse has its number marked on its belly, and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity. 

The Connoisseur Series is available only to people who subscribe to the Breyer magazine, Just About Horses.  Several Connoisseur models are available each year, and each model seems to be more popular than the last.

To get a Connoisseur model, you have to fill out and send in the entry card from the relevant JAH issue.  Winners are chosen at random.  If you win, you are offered the chance to purchase your Connoisseur model - that's $215 plus shipping in the case of Connoisseur Oasis.  (The previous Connoisseur model, a bull named Widow Maker, could be purchased for $200.)

However, the Connoisseur models have proved to be an excellent opportunity for resale.  I did a quick check on eBay and found that Connoisseur models are selling for up to $300 apiece, depending on the model.  The Connoisseur line began at $100 back in 2001, but has steadily increased in price due to the high demand from collectors.

This year's Connoisseur model, Oasis, is based on the popular Make A Wish mold, which was sculpted by Kathleen Moody for the 2009 product line.  Oasis has the same body and legs, but a new head, and a resculpted mane and tail.  

Many people report that Oasis seems smaller than a Traditional horse, and it has frequently been described as being "halfway between Traditional and Classic."  Although it's hard to tell what would account for this, unless it's just the "Oh I thought you'd be taller" thing that happens to celebrities all the time.

Oasis definitely has a much smaller head than Make A Wish.  Personally, I think the head looks awkwardly small.  I like the tail, though, which seems to be "swishing" nicely.

One thing I have seen several people comment on is the coat color, a dappled bay color with white socks, which is really nicely done.  And many people like to snark on the original Make A Wish mold, because Arabians simply do not come in palomino.  (Arabian crosses, certainly, but not purebred Arabians.)

Earlier Connoisseur models include:

• Widow Maker, a brown brindle rodeo bull.
• Tempest, a bay appaloosa with spots in the shape of fall leaves, using the Smarty Jones mold.
• Moon Warrior, an impressive appaloosa using the Nokota Horse mold.
• Rubicon, another bay appaloosa using the Salinero mold.
• Auld Lang Syne, a complicated pinto pattern done partially in metallic paint, using the Kennebec Count mold.