About Us

About Chestnut Ridge

Nestled in the beautiful British Oxfordshire countryside, Chestnut Ridge grew out of a simple creative desire to make realistic equine portraits. What started as a bit of fun painting and customising the odd model has now grown into a full time addiction for equine artist, Catriona Burt. Now not only just painting she has also started to create beautiful yet functional tack pieces for the model horse as well as some fun and affordable accessories. Chestnut Ridge now offers hobby supplies, original finish models and exclusive Peter Stone models through their website. We have a huge range of model horse related products that are great for any model horse lover!

Chestnut Ridge is based in the UK but reguarly ships worldwide, we have model horse customers from the USA, Australia, Germany and beyond.

Young Artist Scheme

The aim here at Chestnut Ridge is to give young artists a chance and also to help fund a rather expensive hobby. We promote young talent, whether it be through customising or tack making, and also buy items off them giving them that much needed capitol so that they can continue to improve their work (and also buy a few models of course). Many of the items you see around our store will have been hand made from scratch by artists who really are in the very conception of their art. Please help to fund these young artists by purchasing not only their own work but also the work of everyone else here at Chestnut Ridge.

This scheme is open to anyone of any age or ability. If you would like to apply for the scheme then please send an email to: catriona@chestnutridge.co.uk and we will send you an application form. Application is quick and easy, it is a great way for you to get your products sold and get the recognition you deserve.

Custom Slots

We have custom slots open throughout the year and it is quick and easy for you to get your model painted by us. In just a few clicks you can order a custom order through our website. Over the summer commission times are quick and easy, with some horses being sent out the very same week! Although during exam periods times may be longer your horses will always be painted to the highest standard in the shortest time possible.

To see our full prices please click here

We also sell a selection of ready painted custom horses for you to show. Many also have live show placings. To view these please click here. If you would like a horse that is already MEC's and LEM's qualified then you can view our qualified horses here

Delivery Costs

Our delivery costs are worked out by weight. We do ship internationally. We will charge extra delivery prices on all order over £42 to cover the extra insurance. To view our full list of delivery prices and our full policy please click here.

Members Club

If you like model horses and want to learn more about the hobby then our members club is a brilliant chance for you to do this.

Membership starts at just £15 and includes a 10% discount, free gift when you join, bi-monthly newsletters, one free stablemate custom order per year and much much more! It is a great way for you to learn about the hobby and also enjoy your horses. It also acts as a brilliant reward to our loyal customers.

If you would like to join our members club then membership can be bought online. Just click here

Meet the Staff

Catriona Burt

Chestnut Ridge is owned by Catriona Burt. Most of the customs and tack made at Chestnut Ridge are made by Catriona Burt.

Catriona started collecting model horses when she was around 13 years old. It all started with a Julip catalogue that she picked up at HOYS. She loved the idea of having the little stables with all the items for them and from then on her passion grew. From Julips she soon found Breyer and Stone horses and when she got her own computer and access the internet her hobby grew even further. She started painting when she was 14 years old and making tack when she was 17. After attending her first live show back in 2007 she became hooked and is now a regular face at UK shows. Her work has also taken off with many in the UK owning her pieces and most regularly live show placing. Her customs took their first live show placing back in 2008 and their first champion in 2009. Now into 2011 her work has taken numerous champions and reguarly takes 1st place at live shows.

Catriona has worked in the equine industry since she was 16 years old and just graduated from Oxford Brookes University where she was studying Equine Science and managment. Her practical knowledge of horses has been constantly applied to her work and her years of experience in the industry have done nothing but benefit her creations but also her management of Chestnut Ridge. This year she takes a change in her life as she moves to Brunel University to study Law. This is something she has always wanted to do and allows her to leave the equine industry and achieve something more in life.

Brendon Harris

Brendon Harris offers IT support and general dogs body work here at Chestnut Ridge. He also makes and creates our Pony Pouches and fleecy rugs.

From the first time he met Catriona back in 2006 Brendon was forced into helping with the model horses. Ever since he has driven hundreds of miles to live shows, packed up horses, been up and down loft ladders and generally been shouted at and told to fetch this and that. That said he does secretly share a desire to be part of the hobby and offers a lot of help and support at live shows. In 2011 he started creating pouches and fleece rugs for Catriona's models and now makes them for the shop.

Brendon studied IT and Computer Technology at college at a skill which has allowed him to always be there when something goes wrong (which it invariably does) with any of the computers or systems used here at Chestnut Ridge. He has allowed the website to grow to what it has today and has always been on hand to offer support. He currently works at Spar Stores as a Retail Manager and applies his experience within the managerial sector to all elements of management here at Chestnut Ridge.

Brandy Harris

Brandy Harris is the unofficial Chestnut Ridge mascote.

Brandy was 'acquired' last November by Brendon after his decision that he needed a dog. She is a purebred Springer Spaniel and ever since she was purchased has 'helped' out with various elements here at Chestnut Ridge. Whether it is jumping in the car and spreading BMECS and LEMS qualification tickets everywhere or getting mud on letters to be sent to clients she generally adds a more 'personal' touch to everything we do here as well as preventing us from ever stating that the horses come from a pet free home! She has actually been a very good girl and has never once harmed a pony (unlike other dogs we have owned) with the exception of the time she ran into Catriona's leg whilst she was painting and caused a little light bay mini to have to be turned into a Tobiano light bay mini.

Follow Us

You can follow Chestnut Ridge on twitter at: CatrionaBurt

Alternatively you can 'like' Chestnut Ridge on facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chestnut-Ridge/165297661481

Or you can follow Model Horse Clothing here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Model-Horse-Clothing/149174765116673

If you would like to befriend me personally on Facebook my account is: catisgreen

You can follow my blog at: http://www.chestnutridgeblog.blogspot.com/

You can also 'like' any of products and share them with your facebook friends.