March 2, 2010 — One of the American Paint Horse Association’s (APHA) most highly-decorated show horses, Fleetstreet Max, has been immortalized as Breyer horse model No. 1135 as 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, Wis. The first official model recently arrived at the farm.
Alisa’s unwavering faith in Max held strong when, in his two-year-old 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, amassing an extensive show record together 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 will be available in stores in early March 2010 and online at breyerhorses.com, 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!”
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.
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.
