Paint showcased at Breyerfest

FORT WORTH, Texas—It has been said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. That saying holds true for Hoby and Anita Horn's Leahs Fancy Chick, the Paint Horse chosen by Breyer Molding Company as the Breyerfest 2000 Celebration Horse.

"It is very flattering that 'Fancy' was picked," Anita Horn said. "It says a lot for a working performer to be considered elegant and beautiful, but still powerful."

Breyer is releasing an exclusive model of the renowned roping horse this summer. As the Breyerfest 2000 Celebration Horse, Fancy and the Horn family will help host Breyerfest at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, July 28-July 30.

"The entire family is going with Fancy to Lexington," Anita said. "My daughters joke that we take the horse trailer on every vacation."

The model of Fancy is a work of art and craftsmanship. The creation began on a sculptor's table where the artist defined Fancy's conformation in clay. The final pieces were molded out of a durable plastic and hand-painted to reflect the 1993 buckskin tobiano's appearance.

At the 1999 World Championship Paint Horse Show, Fancy became the first mare to win the prestigious APHA Oscar Crigler Cattle Award, proving that although the roping pen is dominated by studs and geldings, mares can spice up the performance arena. Fancy also grabbed a World Championship in Senior Steer Stopping and Reserve World Championships in Senior Heading and Senior Heeling.

Although the Horns retired Fancy soon after the July show, they don't mind fancying her up for an occasion such as this.

"She has accomplished so much already," Anita said. "Then to be asked to make a public appearance and represent roping and Paint Horses, it's just wonderful."