Caroline's Summer Star

In 2005 Stone Horses produced a model to honor Caroline Isham, a model horse mom who was heavily involved in helping the fledgling hobby find its feet. There is quite a story behind the production of that model and her daughter, Liz Isham Cory, has given me permission to post it here. 

A matte Caroline's Summer Star model with a photo of Caroline Isham.

In the mid-1970s, Caroline Isham enjoyed attending model shows with her daughter. 

Caroline and Liz Isham.

But she didn't just attend; when she saw a need, Caroline stepped up to fill it. Have you ever heard of the Horsetail get togethers in the earlier days of the hobby? Liz and her mother were behind those. Liz writes,

The Model Horse Congress days of the 70s were multi-day events where we would show from 8 AM until 10 PM or more each day. Mom watched us compete day after day, but thought that we needed to socialize more. That's why she suggested a Horsetails reception on Saturday night at 5 PM. Instead of cocktails, we had soft drinks and light foods that she had catered in through the host hotel. It turned out to be the place where many of us made fast friendships because, instead of hurrying off to another class, we took time to get to know each other.

Many of the friendships that sprang up during the Horsetail gatherings are still going strong today.

Caroline was also active in helping  Stu and Arlene Bentley (of Bentley Sales Company) at shows and real horse events like the Midwest Horse fair. 

Caroline Isham, Liz Isham Cory, Arlene Bentley, Paul Cord, and Sandy Cord at a Bentley sales event. Sandy Cord is the Bentleys' daughter and she and Liz went to college together.

Caroline on the right talking to customers in the Bentley sales booth at the Midwest Horse Fair in Wisconsin. (Liz and I both wish we could get our hands on one of those carriage kits now!)

Liz and her mom traveled to many BreyerFest together. Caroline also  clerked for the BreyerFest auction during the 1990s.

This photo is from BreyerFest 1993. Anyone else remember the days when Breyer served dinner in a tent for all attendees? Not only did Breyer serve a hot dinner, but the tents were not air conditioned. It was stifling in that Kentucky heat.   

Caroline Isham holding a Stone model horse.

So, with such a history of helping out in the hobby wherever she was needed, the Peter Stone Company decided to honor her after she passed away. Liz writes,

 Caroline's Summer Star came in both glossy and matte finish. 

 The run was in production when my mother died on June 20, 2005 after a long battle with cancer.

When she died, Sandy Cord offered to name the run after her, and for that I will always be tremendously grateful.

Wow! What a story! Even more, what a wonderful woman. Liz,  thank you so much for sharing about your mother and letting us take a peek into the life of someone who made our hobby better.