O'Leary's Irish Diamond

Some horses are born to greatness. O'Leary's Irish Diamond was foaled April 29, 1994 with the good bone and handsome conformation of his Irish Draught Horse heritage, and the gentle, workmanlike character cherished in its breed standards. He scored the highest conformation marks of the 1997 inspections in Ireland, and following his sale to Jim and Karen Leary, became the only RID (Registered Irish Draught) stallion ever performance-tested and approved in America by the Irish Horse Board.

Thanks to his pedigree, the 16.2-hand grey needed no formal introduction to the international dressage or show jumping worlds. His sire, Glidawn Diamond, is considered the best RID stallion in the world today, and a son of the legendary RID foundation sire, King of Diamonds, once ranked by the World Breeding Federation as one of the 10 greatest producers of show jumpers in the world. His dam, top Irish mare Grey Curragong, is renowned for her athleticism and movement. This pedigree has produced international horses Custom Made, Mill Pearl, Special Envoy, Pinon Muldoon, Joe II, Dury Lad and Millstreet Ruby.

When given a chance to jump, Irish likes the idea, but according to his present owner, Melissa Cason-Kinney, of Kinson Stud in Bigfork, Montana, Irish is equally happy performing in whatever discipline he is asked for. In 2000, he earned the Southern California Dressage Association's Third Level championship before turning his talents to the over fences classes and winning 2002 Open and Open Modified jumper championships. Irish returned to the dressage ring in 2004, and qualified in Prix St. Georges for the USDF Regional Championships.

While competing in Florida, Irish drew scores of fans during his tests, and the approval of judges, who called his high scoring, extended trot "elastic and very forward." This is one Diamond that shines with equal brilliance wherever he performs.

Come meet Irish and his owner/trainer Melissa Cason-Kinney at BreyerFest!

Isadora-Cruce of Return to Freedom Wild Horse Sanctuary

Isadora-Cruce lives at Return to Freedom, a wild horse sanctuary, but her story really began during the 15th and 16th centuries when early Spanish clergy and conquistadores brought their fine horses to the Americas. Isadora-Cruce's heritage came from an undiluted strain, preserved from the herd at the Mission Dolores, founded by Jesuit Father Eusebio Kino in Sonora, Mexico in 1687. From 1885 until 1990, Isadora-Cruce's Mission Dolores ancestors were isolated on an Arizona ranch owned by the Wilbur-Cruce family. When the Wilbur-Cruce herd was dispersed in 1990, their enormous genetic value was recognized, and the horses were placed in a preservation program. Today, Isadora's family members are the only known pure-in-strain, living remnants of antique Spanish Colonial Mission horses in the American southwest.

Isadora-Cruce is unique in several ways. A rare "Medicine Hat" brown-and-white overo spotted mare, she was foaled at Return to Freedom Sanctuary in 2002. Visitors can learn directly from the natural world at Return to Freedom, which is home to more than 200 wild horses and burros. It offers a number of unique conservation and preservation programs on site, where founder Neda DeMayo shares her insights, and her profound understanding of wild horses with visitors. The tours, clinics, and educational programs offered at the sanctuary help visitors of all ages deepen their awareness of, and connection to the living earth. Return to Freedom Ranch is located in Lompoc, Calif., about 54 miles north of Santa Barbara.

Isadora will be joined by her full sister Inez-Cruce along with Neda DeMayo at BreyerFest 2010! Be sure to join us in the Visitor Information Center on Friday for a free seminar with Neda where you'll learn all about this amazing wild horse sanctuary.

Return to Freedom is dedicated to preserving the freedom, diversity and habitat of America's wild horses through sanctuary, education and conservation, while enriching the human spirit through direct experience with the natural world.

Fleetstreet Max

By Laurel Scott

By the time Max was 5, he had rewarded his teenaged partner by winning his first world championship. Then, at the 2006 American Paint Horse Association World Show, he did the unthinkable, winning seven world championships and becoming the first Paint horse ever to win both the All-Around Amateur and All-Around Open Horse titles.

With 15 world championships already to his name by age 11, Max was within two titles of tying the all-time record for world titles going into the 2008 World Show at Fort Worth, Texas. That tie came with a victory in Amateur Hunter Hack, followed by a history-making repeat win (their fifth consecutive such honor) in Amateur Hunt Seat Equitation.

At show's end, the pair had smashed the single horse lifetime APHA record for most world championships (18) and set a new record with 21 world titles in seven different events.

During his career, Max has also earned seven reserve world championships, five APHA World Show All-Around awards, two Breeder's Trust highest money-earner titles, and more than 8,500 points in a dozen events ranging from halter to reining. In addition, "He's won four horse trailers for us [and] he's won the youth, amateur, and open all-around horse awards at the APHA World Show," Alisa says, adding, "I've been high point year end youth and amateur many different years with Max."

The lessons that Max taught his devoted owner will resonate throughout her career. "He has taught me that having patience while training a horse can bring huge success, and that every horse is different and needs to be trained according to its individual personality and talents," Alisa says.  "Also, to never give up and to go with your gut feelings."

Alisa and Fleetstreet Max will be at BreyerFest to sign Max's model – available in the Breyer Store!

Austin Anderson Offers Fast And Thrilling Show

By L.A. Pomeroy

Professional trick rider and movie stuntman Austin Anderson, with The Texas Trick Riders, of Troup, Texas, has been stylin' from the backs of horses for nearly all of his 41 years.

In 1963, his parents, Don and Jo-Ann Anderson, founded The Texas White Horse Troupe, and performed at state fairs, circuses, rodeos, and Wild West Shows, and Austin is the third generation in his family to perform this fast and thrilling style of riding that dates back to the Roman Empire.

Before becoming a part of modern equestrian events, trick riding constituted the gymnastic exercises of Roman and Russian Cossack mounted armies. Roman riding is a type of trick riding that involves standing on two galloping horses as they circle an arena and/or jump obstacles.

Among the stunts Austin will perform at Breyerfest this year is a trick that he has done in public only once before: riding one horse while driving/long reining a pair in front of him. The Texas Trick Riders three-set show at Breyerfest will include mounted whip and shooting demonstrations, as well as Roman riding.

Austin is also a stunt rider, horse trainer, and double for films. He's doubled for actors Rick Schroeder and DJ Qualls, and has worked on more than two dozen television shows, commercials, and films, including The New Guy and Alamo.

"I had the most fun on The New Guy, because I could ride my own horse up and down the football field and wave a sword, (the movie is set at a high school) but I also enjoyed working on Alamo, because it was about the history of Texas."

In 2007, Austin was named reserve champion at the national trick riding competition at the Will Rogers Wild West Expo in Claremore, Oklahoma, behind Greg Whitaker, who also performed with Austin and his family. "Texas Trick Riders were both the 2007 champion and reserve champion. Not too bad," Austin says.

When not performing, Austin works on the family ranch, trains horses, and enjoys teaching new students to learn to trick ride. "Horsemanship is always the cornerstone of our program. Trick riders are not crazy daredevils. It takes a great deal of horsemanship to be a trick rider."

Watch Austin and The Texas Trick Riders at Breyerfest, or visit them online at www.texastrickrider.com.

Bigger is Better at BreyerFest 2010!

What would a Hollywood-themed BreyerFest be without some big names from the equine world? BreyerFest is excited to unveil special guests and exhilarating entertainment, thanks to our friends at Priefert Manufacturing.

Located on Priefert Ranch in Mt. Pleasant, TX, Priefert's manufacturing facility is one of the largest and most technologically advanced operations of its kind. Attention to detail, innovation and quality control are why Priefert products are used by the top professionals and organizations in the world. In addition to their full line of farm, ranch and rodeo equipment, Priefert is the proud owner of an impressive Belgian horse, Radar, and the award-winning Priefert Hitch.

Breyer is excited to welcome these special guests to Lights, Camera, BreyerFest!

Radar

Standing 19 hands, 3 ½ inches tall and weighing around 2300 pounds, Radar was recognized by the Guinness World Records as the World's Tallest Living Horse for 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. Now retired, this sorrel-colored Belgian draft gelding spends his days on the pastures of Priefert Ranch in Mount Pleasant, Texas.

Throughout his reign as the world record holder, Radar traveled the country making special appearances at state fairs, equine expos and at Priefert dealers across the country. He has been featured on numerous television shows including the Today Show, Ripley's Believe It or Not and even Oprah!

Of course, Radar knows that being a world record holder isn't just about the celebrity perks; he throws his weight around to help others, too! In 2005, Radar used his strength to help tear down the walls of the old Barrett family house to make way for their new home on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. How many horses can say they've been a part of a home demolition crew?

Now that he's left the spotlight behind, Radar only makes select appearances to his adoring public – and BreyerFest is one of those special events! Even more exciting is the unveiling of the Breyer model of Radar, available only at BreyerFest 2010. Be sure to pick up your exclusive Radar model in the Breyer store!*

Priefert Hitch

The ground shakes with the sound of thundering hooves before you even glimpse the impressive six-horse hitch. As the dust clears, the award-winning Priefert Percherons charge into the arena driven by the talented Jason Goodman. Performing for more than six million people a year at expos and fairs across the country, the Priefert Hitch presents a show that will be remembered long after the dust settles.

Impressive maneuvers are their forte from a simulated "docking" of the freight wagon to the team's signature "spin the top" with the horses emerging from the spin at the "stagecoach run." Even more exciting is the Roman Riding act that Jason performs while standing on the back of two 18+ hand Percherons, driving four more in front of him!

True celebrities of the equine world, the Priefert Percherons have appeared at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, the San Antonio Stock Show, the Calgary Stampede, the Denver National Western Stock Show and Rodeo, Cheyenne Frontier Days, Bishop Mule Days and dozens of other PRCA rodeos.

Breyer is extremely excited to welcome the Priefert Hitch to BreyerFest! The Hitch will be performing their infamous exhibition on Saturday and Sunday, so be sure to get a seat in the Covered Arena to see this exhilarating show!

To learn more about Radar and the Priefert Hitch, visit www.Priefert.com

*Model will be made available in the Breyer store throughout the weekend. Check back often.

Priscilla Presley

The horse-loving spirit of Elvis will ride again this summer when Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. (EPE) and Breyer Animal Creations, a division of Reeves International, Inc., join forces to launch Breyer's Elvis Presley Collection of the horses of Graceland at the model horse maker's annual festival, BreyerFest®, to be held July 23-25 at the Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, Ky.

The Breyer Elvis Presley Collection is a tribute to Elvis and Priscilla Presley's favorite horses, past and present, and the collection will be launched at BreyerFest this year to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the birth of the King of Rock 'n' Roll.

"As always, we're launching the Breyer Elvis Presley Collection with a collectible Traditional® Series portrait model of Elvis' registered American Quarter Horse Rising Sun, a gorgeous palomino named in honor of one of his favorite songs," said Stephanie Macejko, Vice President of Marketing and Product Development at Breyer.

Priscilla Presley will join in the celebration on July 23-24 to share her love of horses and support of equine welfare. Of the four horses currently living at Graceland, Max, Tucker and Bandit were adopted after being rescued. The fourth, Candy was a gift. To commemorate Rising Sun’s debut as a Breyer portrait model, Priscilla will be signing Rising Sun models purchased at the Breyer Store at BreyerFest. Check the autograph schedule in the BreyerFest program for specific times.

*Autographs are not guaranteed and are limited to the Rising Sun model only.