Collect this Very Rare Trail of Painted Ponies Woodland Hunter Pony Ornament from the 2006 Holiday Collection while it is available. When this ornament is sold, there will be no more since the manufacturer has retired these beautiful ponies.
Incorporating markings that tell of deeds, wisdom, wealth and bravery, and outfitting his Pony with a shield, weapons, saddle and bags for transporting food, artist Kevin Kilhoffer has created an astounding and historically accurate tribute to that plains Indian warrior.
The story Kevin likes to tell about his figurine "Woodland Hunter" is: "It came to me through research and study of the northern plains tribes. I found records of a Franciscan missionary stationed at a fur trade fort dating back to 1836. In his notes he witnessed a Teton Sioux warrior ride into the fort. He wrote of the warrior's magnificent shirt adorned with scalps and the wonderful artwork decorating his horse. He found out later that this design on the horse meant the rider was a member of a war society and was an influential member of the tribe. Painting their horse with elaborate designs told who they were and where they stood in their craft or skill as warriors. The horse became a billboard of color and pattern for all to see and know the man who sat upon his trusted pony."
"I wanted perfect eyes for this horse, and I found them about seven miles east of here. This lady had a bunch of horses turned out in a pasture so I went over to her and asked if she'd mind if I drew some of her horses. She said that was fine with her, so I walked out into the field and all these horses come over to me and one of them was white and had a black muzzle and mane and eyelids - just what I was looking for. While I was sketching his eyes with a colored pencil and making notes, all the other horses seemed to want to see what I was doing, and they had their heads hung over my shoulder, they were slobbering and chewing on the drawing paper. It was a good day."
Item #: 12231
Release Date: Holiday 2006
Artist: Kevin Kilhoffer
Material: Resin
Size: 2" Tall
Form: Standing
Retired: January 2010
NOW RETIRED AND NO LONGER AVAILABLE FROM THE MANUFACTURER