Huge Hobby News - Stone Horses

Yesterday morning I received an unexpected email from Stone Horses.

I'm retired so I was able to tune in and hear that announcement live.

Peter and Elaine Stone are retiring and have sold Stone Horses to hobbyist Erin Corbett and her team, Volo Artem, LLC. Erin will serve as president and CEO of the company. (Picture of Peter and Elaine taken by me in 2018.)

One news release proactively answered questions that hobbyists were sure to ask. A clip from that stated,

 "Stone Horses by Volo Artem will continue operations without interruption, maintaining the same factory and office employees, production methods, and recognized artists.... Stone Horses' customer events - Stone Horse Country Fair and Equilocity 2024, among others - will also continue seamlessly."

To read the full account, click the link above.

The retirement news wasn't a surprise but the actual sale of the company was. I always thought that Peter would retire first and that Elaine would run the company. 

Peter talking to his long time friend, Liz Cory, at one of the Stone Horses Country Fair events. (While I laugh and include myself in a selfie with them.)

 Here is another place to get information on the transfer of the company to Erin Corbett:

Media Release Statement 

So, who is Erin Corbett? She is a long time hobbyist with strong leadership skills (she's been the manager of BreyerWest shows for years) and makes beautiful tack. I've never met her, but judging from the reaction in the hobby world as well as what I have read online, Stone Horses is in good hands.

(For those unsure of who Peter Stone is, his father, Sam Stone, started Breyer horses. Peter put his own career plans on hold to help his father and led Breyer for years before splitting off to form his own company, Stone Horses, about 30 years ago.)

Peter and Elaine, enjoy your retirement, and Peter, thanks for all you did during your career in model horses, starting with Breyer and ending with Stone. I have enjoyed working with you in The Misty of Chincoteague Foundation and getting to know you through that. You have worked hard and have quietly done behind the scenes work that has benefited many. Thank you.

Erin, best of luck in this exciting new chapter of your life. I look forward to what you bring to the company and the model horse world.

I'm so excited to see what this change brings.