The Showtime Trailer

The showtime trailer was an accessories-only play set introduced in 1998.

It was advertised as the "7 in 1 dream playset", offering touring, picnics, sleeping, horse care, show presentations, cooking and camping for your models. I have some photos of the original packaging and promotions, but unfortunately they are a little scruffy.

The set included the trailer, a picnic table that converted into bunk beds, green fences to use as a separator in the trailer or as a paddock, a 25-piece picnic set, yellow picnic basket, a rosette, winner's cup and pink finger brush.

Now for some photos of the set "in person". This set is a little scruffy too, but it's the best example I have around at the moment.

Outside views:

Next you would open up the top, the doors and the hinged front to set out your showing or camping scene:

This set came with a great selection of accessories for your rider dolls, who also benefited from a tiny kitchen, portable TV and cute over-the-cab bunk. 

I'm not 100% sure what the original picnic set contained. This horsebox arrived secondhand with 25 pieces as described so I'd assume they're original.

4 x plates

4 x cups

12 x cutlery (almost, but it looks like there were four sets)

Kettle

Cooking pot with lid

Milk

Spatula

However, my childhood horsebox which I "inherited" from my cousin came with a different type of plates in an incomplete set, pictured below. I always thought it was original but looking at it now, I think her family must have supplemented some lost pieces!

Also, don't get the Showtime Trailer set confused with Apache's accessories, which had some different items - a hot pink brush rather than pastel and cooking pots to use over a campfire.

The trailer set up for camping:

Hope you've enjoyed reading and if you have any more information to add, please get in touch! There's been loads of great activity on the MBH Collectors Facebook Page lately, so if you're interested please request to join and one of us will add you in no time :)