First - it's fine to have a model on a base; you don't need to cover it or anything. And, here's my packing method!! Do note that I travel quite a long ways for most live shows (so far the nearest one has been 5 hours away) so I pack well! First each model is tagged and wrapped in 1 layer of bubble wrap. Sometimes I put grocery bags (ink side not touching model!!) between the legs and/or tail. Then they are packed in Rubbermaid tubs (the sturdy ones w/rope handles are the best; they can also be locked). I lay a few T-shirts on the bottom, then pack 'em in, cramming newspaper in the large holes (if you are only traveling a mile or two, you probably don't need to pack 'em this well, as long as you are careful!). For horses shown in performance, I put all of their tack accessories (saddles, note cards, etc.) in a Ziplock baggie and tape it to the bubble-wrapped model--this saves time sorting things at the show. I top the tub off with a towel that I also use as a table cloth at the show. I use 2 tubs - for instance, at RMMHE I had one tub for the horses I was showing Saturday and one tub for the horses showing Sunday. Also, in each tub I put a list of every model in the tub, the classes they are showing in, and room to write their placing. I also include a repair kit. Hope this helps :) And a tip I thought of. If you have some of those plastic paint cases from old paint-by-numbers (they're those tiny plastic cups hooked together), you can clean them out and fill them with your own paint to use for quick touch-ups at shows! Much easier than hauling those giant bottles around. Just be careful opening so that you don't splatter the paint everywhere! You also might want to cut them apart for easier opening.
Tracie Caller finesse@fascination.com Rock Springs, WY