Legendary Hunter to Be Honored June 10th
Pequannock, NJ – April 23, 2016 – In the horse show world, the super stars of the sport tend to be jumpers or dressage horses. So it may come as a surprise to learn that the horse with the biggest fan club is super hunter Brunello! As with many things, Brunello is simply exceptional. The 18-year-old Hanoverian owned by Janet Peterson and Liza Towell Boyd claimed his third consecutive victory in the USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship in 2015 and was named the USEF National Horse of the Year, for the second time, as well as Show Hunter of the Year by The Chronicle of the Horse. Rider Liza Boyd claimed the USEF Emerson Burr Trophy for the third time as well, thanks to Brunello. And so it is only fitting that Brunello takes his place among the pantheon of horses that have graced Breyer’s stable of horse heroes!
Breyer is pleased to announce that it will introduce its new Brunello portrait model this summer, in partnership with Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), on June 10th, as a highlight of the Tryon Spring 8 FEI CSI 5* (June 8-12). Breyer Brunello models will be available for purchase at Tryon Tack beginning Friday, June 10th. Only 400 models will be available for the launch and each model will come with a special mini Breyer TIEC blanket only available at this show, while supplies last. Purchases limited to 2 models per person.
The weekend will kick off with a special presentation of the first Brunello portrait models to be created for Brunello’s owners Janet Peterson and Liza Boyd, and longtime groom Alberto Ramirez, on Friday evening, June 10th, during the Hunter Derby under the lights in the George Morris Arena at TIEC. Boyd and Brunello are preparing to compete in the Hunter Derby, offering fans and spectators a chance to see this historic pair live in competition.
On Saturday, June 11th, from 2:00-6:00 P.M., Breyer will host free Stablemates painting activities, demonstrations by model horse hobby artists including sculptor Morgen Kilbourn, equine color genetics expert Lesli Kathman, as well as fun model horse showing with Michelle Masters. Breyer’s mascot Pal will visit and there will be raffles and contests for prizes. Event activities will be held in the Special Pavilion tent overlooking the George Morris Arena.
Liza Boyd will be available for autographs (limited to 200) from 4:00-5:00 P.M. and Brunello will make an appearance at 5:00 P.M. as well for photographs. When asked what makes Brunello so special, Liza Boyd said, “Brunello: B: Brave to gallop under the lights; R: Rideable, to turn oh-so-tight; U: Unique, not your typical hunter type; N: Naughty, in his stall he will bite; E: Ego, he thinks he’s always right; L: Longevity, at 18 he’s still jumping with height; L: Lexington, three times he has had a magical derby night; O: Owl, for his wisdom and insight.”
Tryon International Equestrian Center is a state of the art equestrian facility located in Mill Spring, North Carolina. The venue offers competitors access to an array of equestrian sports including hunter/jumper, dressage, and eventing competitions throughout the year. The facility, which officially opened in 2014, began its inaugural year for FEI competition in 2015. This year, TIEC is set to host two CSI 5* competitions, as well as the prestigious Nutrena® USEA American Eventing Championships in early September, as well as two FEI CDI 3* competitions for dressage riders. TIEC is conveniently located just 45 minutes from Asheville, NC, and an hour from Charlotte, NC, in the rolling hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Tryon Riding and Hunt Club (TRHC), an important supporter of the equestrian community in the Western Carolinas, sparked the discussion regarding the creation of a Brunello Breyer model, as co-owner Janet Peterson is a longtime member of the organization. A social media campaign initiated by TRHC, has been tremendously influential in recognizing and honoring the remarkable career accolades of Boyd and Brunello.
“Having a Breyer model of Brunello to celebrate his accomplishments is something very special. He is a wonderful horse and is incredibly well loved by all of those involved with him, including myself, Liza Boyd, and her father Jack Towell,” said Peterson. “I’m very much looking forward to this replica of him, as well as the ceremony that is planned for June 10th. He has a large fan base and following in the Carolinas and I hope that everyone will join us for the festivities to honor his achievements.”
For those who can’t be at TIEC for the presentation, Breyer and TIEC will host an online sweepstakes offering six (6) Brunello models with TIEC model blankets signed by Liza Boyd via the Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) and Breyer Facebook pages. Stay tuned for more information.
Ticket Information
Spectators are welcome to attend the Tryon Spring 8 FEI CSI 5* at the Tryon International Equestrian Center free of charge. Breyer activities are also free of charge (while supplies last). The Breyer Brunello model debut is limited to 400 models at this show and will be sold on a first come, first served basis at Tryon Tack along with a mini Breyer TIEC model blanket as a special souvenir of the weekend. The standard Breyer Brunello model will be available nationwide in July 2016. TIEC is located at 4066 Pea Ridge Rd. in Mill Spring, NC. For more information, please visit TIEC at www.tryon.com or Breyer at www.breyerhorses.com.
About Breyer Animal Creations®
Breyer Animal Creations is a division of Reeves International (www.reevesintl.com), a family-owned, NJ-based toy manufacturer and distributor. Founded in 1950, Breyer celebrates the horse and other animals, dedicating itself to the creation of authentic and realistic model horses for play and collecting. Breyer is one of America’s most iconic toy brands and its ‘portrait’ models of horse heroes and animals like Secretariat, Valegro, Big Chex to Cash, Black Beauty, The Black Stallion, RinTinTin and Lassie have inspired children of all ages to love animals. Breyer’s partnerships with publishers like Scholastic and Macmillan Children’s Publishing and studios like Universal (Seabiscuit), DreamWorks (Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron and Dreamer), and Touchstone Pictures (Hidalgo) have provided a base from which to create new content and play forms for children inspiring a world of imagination and creativity. Visit us at www.breyerhorses.com or call 800-413-3348 to learn more about the model horse hobby and Breyer Animal Creations.