1988 - 1990

Grand Champions first appeared during the late 1980's, possibly as early as 1988 and certainly by 1989. Retail releases were short making models from this period some of the hardest for collectors to find. Models were likely to appear one year and then disappear the next. Stallions, mares, foals, riders, set and sound models were all produced between 1988 and 1990. Cast from only a single colour plastic, horses were not shaded and had very simplistic markings and accessories. They did not have the iconic "GC" brand on their hindquarters or come with names or bio cards.

Horses were available in the following configurations: Sets were mostly divided by colour, rather than breed. Their were six classic posed stallions in this period and each came with a dark blue plastic brush and red plastic food bin. The packaging was printed with a fence which could be cut out and slotted into a purpose-made slot on the food bin.
 * Stallions with Tack
 * Family Sets
 * Mare & Foal Sets
 * Single Foal (Canada-Only)
 * Horse & Rider Sets
 * Sorrel
 * Silky White
 * Black
 * Appaloosa
 * Palomino
 * Pinto

Foals were sold in family sets in the US and single foals were released only in Canada. These early foals had long hair like adult models, differing from the short hair foals had following 1990.