Thank you to everyone who come to our Breyer Horse signing featuring Alisa Bernhard and her horse, Fleetstreet Max. We will be posting pictures this week so stay tuned!

"American Paint Horse Fleetstreet Max is 2010 Breyer Model Horse"

One of the American Paint Horse Association’s most highly decorated show horses, Fleetstreet Max, has been immortalized as Breyer horse model No. 1135, a part of the company’s 2010 Spring Collection. The overo gelding, known as “Max,” is owned, trained and shown by Alisa Bernhard and was bred by her mother, Sue Bernhard, both of Fieldstone Farms in Germantown, WI.

Alisa’s unwavering faith in Max held strong when, in his second year, several professional trainers told her he would never make an all-around horse. Just a teenager herself, Alisa took over as his trainer and the pair undoubtedly proved them wrong. They amassed an extensive show record together by earning multiple APHA world and reserve world championships in seven different disciplines, including working hunter, hunt seat equitation, equitation over fences, hunter hack, western horsemanship, trail and western riding. They also made APHA history in 2008 by achieving the most world championships earned, 18 total (now 21). Their accomplishments also include five APHA World Show all-around titles and more than 9,000 APHA show points.

According to Breyer, the model of Fleetstreet Max is available in stores as of March 2010 and online at Breyer, as well as for sale at the BreyerFest event in July in Lexington, Ky. Alisa and Max have been asked to make a special appearance at the event including debuting the replica as one of the company’s portrait models and making a celebrity appearance to sign the models and let attendees meet Max.

“We are thrilled and honored that Reeves International (Breyer) has selected Fleetstreet Max to be one of their 2010 portrait models,” said breeder Sue Bernhard. “We have always believed that Max is unique and very special, and it’s nice to know that others share our feelings. Max is a great ambassador for APHA, because he truly is a “model” of the Paint breed’s versatility. Alisa is really looking forward to bringing Max to BreyerFest. She collected over 50 Breyer models as a child and always dreamed of attending the event, but never imagined she’d be there to showcase the real-life inspiration for one of the portrait models! Thank you, Max, and thank you, Breyer!”

Stephanie Macejko, Vice President of Marketing at Breyer Animal Creations commented, “We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to recognize Fleetstreet Max as a Breyer portrait model. His many accomplishments show his quality, and he is clearly a wonderful representative for the American Paint Horse.”

Over the years, Breyer has depicted several notable American Paint Horses with models including Colonels Smokingun, Like A Diamond, Rugged Painted Lark, Big Chex To Cash, Sacred Indian, Mister Mister, Silky Keno, Yellow Mount, Sam I Am, Leahs Fancy Chick, Wahoo King and now Fleetstreet Max.

“Each of these horses is highly accomplished and the American Paint Horse Association is proud to have our breed recognized by Breyer,” said Lex Smurthwaite, Executive Director of the American Paint Horse Association. “Fleetstreet Max is an exceptional Paint horse. We are so proud to have this horse honored and placed in the rankings of the many great horses celebrated by Breyer over the years. He is well deserving of the honor and we congratulate the Bernhard family.”

To find out more about some of these and other American Paint Horses honored with Breyer models, be sure to check out the “Top Models” article in the March 2010 Paint Horse Journal or online at painthorsejournal.com.

- American Paint Horse Association