The Trail Of Painted Ponies BBB Business Review

Ask The Trailmaster

Do you have a question for us? Please use this form to ask.

We try to answer questions daily. Questions are not posted until they are answered.

Here are answers to the commonly asked questions about where to resell Painted Ponies, and what their current value is:

When collectors choose to resell their Painted Ponies, we recommend doing so on eBay. There is also a Facebook group, which was set up by Painted Ponies collectors and is not monitored by The Trail of Painted Corporate Office, where you can offer your Painted Ponies for sale. Here is a link to that Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/PaintedPoniessellbuyswapauction

To find the current perceived value of your Painted Ponies, we suggest searching on eBay for the same figurine with a similar edition number. If you have an eBay account, you can look up what that particular figurine has sold for recently, and that will give you an even more accurate perceived value. 

 

Christine Master from Erie, Pa wrote on October 29, 2011:
Will you ever do a ceramic pony in the rearing mold? To date all have been resin.
Response From Trailmaster:
I'm never going to say never, but I will say not at the moment, and the main reason is this. Just as lower legs are vulnerable to breakagae on real horses - Remember Barbarosa? - the same holds true for figurines. Resin equates with strong bones.
Jasmine from Alberta, Canada wrote on October 26, 2011:
The pony that I am interested in getting has a base that looks legit and reads this: THE TRAIL OF ----------------- PAINTED PONIES 1E/ Item no. 12301 Keeper of the Sacred Fire Artist: Cheryl A. Harris TM and © 2009 The Trail of Painted Ponies Inc. A westland giftware stamp Handcrafted in China So I am basically wondering, what does it mean when a pony is a 1E but has no figure number after it? Or when a pony has no figure number at all? Thanks!
Response From Trailmaster:
From the way you describe the bottom of the base, it would appear to be "human error." Because each Pony is hand-numbered, not stamped, on very rare occasions the edition number is inadvertently missed.
Christine Master from Erie, Pa wrote on October 24, 2011:
This isn't a question. I just wanted to thank you for FINALLY doing a purple pony! I did order Storm Rider as an autographed pony and so looking forward to getting him. I hope you will use that same mold for other designs in the future. In fact it would be fantastic if you came out with that mold in the Paint Your Own Pony Kit along with the standing pony too.
Response From Trailmaster:
Thank you. There are two schools of thought, one being that we should stick to our four forms and let the Painted Ponies showcase their creative possibilities, and another that we should "break the mold" from time to time with something dramatically different It would be interesting to see what other designs would work on the "Storm Rider" form.
Shelly Williams from Grand Rapids, Michigan wrote on October 22, 2011:
Hello. I'm in a very serious and desperate situation and I hope you can please help me in some way. My husband of 15 years shocked me last week with the knowledge that he wants a divorce. I felt like a 2 ton truck has run me over. I can eat, sleep, I've lost 13 pounds in a week. I'm absolutely hurt and terrified of my future. I need to sell whatever assets I have so that I can move out and try to get my life together. I don't have a lot of possessions, but I do have my painted ponies collection. I have about 11 ponies, I think all of them but one are retired. Is there ANY way you can help me to sell them?? I need money so badly right now and I can't get any help from anyone. That's why I'm hoping that maybe you will have some sort of good news for me or know of someone who would buy my ponies from me? Any information would be helpful and I thank you sincerely for your time. Bless you Shelly williams
Response From Trailmaster:
I'm are sorry to hear about your unnfortunate circumstances. Though it may not seem so now, at a certain point these things often do reveal silver linings. If you would send me a list of your eleven Ponies, and their edition numbers, it will be easier for me to make a recommendation.
Mary from W.V. wrote on October 17, 2011:
Are there any other Painted Ponies that are designed in the racing theme? I thought there were more than "Front Runner" and "Run for the Roses".
Response From Trailmaster:
There is a third Painted Pony with a racing theme: "Fantastic Fillies." It was part of the Winter 2004 release, and was designed by Janee Hughes.
Karen from New Mexico wrote on October 16, 2011:
I am wondering if the registry for our ponies could be shown in alphabetical order? I started entering my ponies and later realized that they are listed in the order that they were entered. Also, who is able to see the registry? Thank you!
Response From Trailmaster:
There is now an option on the Registry that allows you to sort by Pony name, release date and the date an entry was made. As of now, no one else can view the Registry.
Karen Johnson from Apache Junction, Arizona wrote on October 16, 2011:
I have been collecting Topp for quite some time, could you tell me if the older ponies (westland) will be more collectable or should I get into colecting the ensenco ponies and start over? I have over 75 1st edition westland ponies with boxes.
Response From Trailmaster:
I don't think who manufactured the Pony makes a difference, as much as the original popularity of the design, whether it is retired. the edition number, if the piece is signed by the artist, if the original box is included - and how badly someone wants to add a particular Pony to their collection. One of the things that makes Painted Ponies unique when it comes to holding as well as growing in value, is that it is an upscale collectible that has proven it has enduring appeal. Not very many figurines that call themselves "collectibles" can make that claim.
Curtis Coulthart from Weston, West Virginia wrote on October 16, 2011:
Are there any thoughts or ideas to celebrate famous TV horses or horses from history? I know there is a Happy Trails" Pony (which I have). But I was wondering if there is going to be pony celebrating "Silver" from the "Lone Ranger," or Justin Morgan's horse "Figure?" (I know "Figure" was an actual Horse, and a breed).
Response From Trailmaster:
A series of Painted Ponioes that is a tribute to famous TV horses or horses from history is a great idea - and one we have talked about internally. The issue that always comes up has to do with copyrights. We would need to get permission from those who own the rights to these Ponies, which is often cost-prohibitive.
T.J. from Rockingham, NC wrote on October 15, 2011:
When we fill out an artist's application do we need to paint it or can we draw i in with colored pencil? Thanks.
Response From Trailmaster:
You are welcome to use colored pencils if that is the medium you are most comfortable with. Should your design be one that we choose to craft as a figurine, and should we feel the colors need to be brighter, we can always make that adjustment later.
Doreen Hamilton from Phoenix, AZ wrote on October 09, 2011:
Hello, I was wondering if you ever considered a U.S. Military series for each service? I am in the Navy and would love a Navy Painted Pony. I like when the base of the ponies are a "real" color and then blanketed with a design. I did notice there was one for the Royal Mounted Police.... Thank you , Doreen
Response From Trailmaster:
Yes, we have considered a U.S. Military Painted Pony series, and we have certainly received a large number of requests. As well, we have been sent quite a few designs, usually focusing on specific military branches. For awhile we were even communicating with an artist/military policeman on active duty in Iraq on a concept. Finding that perfect design has eluded us so far, but we will keep trying. Thank you for your thoughts.