I was shocked when I checked the Breyer website at random this morning and found out that they had updated the "Featured Product" badge on their website's sidebar!  It seems like S. Justadream has been featured there for ages.  A new horse now has the place of honor, AND it's called "Product of the Week," which implies that it will be getting updated weekly.  

Breyer has a big Elvis Presley thing going on this year in conjunction with BreyerFest.  (Which fits in well with their "Hollywood" theme this year!)  They will be launching the Elvis Presley Collection at BreyerFest.  The new collection will feature "the horses of Graceland," both past and former.  

Rising Sun is a golden palomino using the Stock Horse Stallion mold.  This mold had a longer, nicer tail added with the DZ Weedo model released in 2008 as a Live Show Prize for BreyerFest that year.  And is it my imagination, or has the set of his head been changed a little as well?  At any rate, this is a beautiful model, and an excellent way to kick off the Elvis Presley Collection.

Elvis was a big horse fan, and built quite a luxurious spread.  According to an article I found about the last horse Elvis bought (a Tennessee Walking Horse named Ebony's Double), "The horses are cared for with 24 hour a day attention by a staff specifically assigned to the herd […]Each horse has an individual stall with name plate and cooling fans. They are bathed often in the summer and vacuumed regularly in the winter. An alternate section of the barn is like a small arena with an 'open door policy' for the horses; a haven from inclement weather or to take a nap in the shade."

Swanky!

Not being much of an Elvis buff, I didn't realize that he originally purchased Graceland so that he could keep horses.  Following Elvis's tradition, the Graceland estate has continued to keep horses as a matter of policy.  In keeping with the animal welfare beliefs of Elvis, Priscilla, and Lisa Marie, many of the current Graceland horses have been adopted or rescued from inhumane conditions.

It all started when Elvis had a bad experience with a horse early in his filming career.  And after a while he decided to buy his own horse to help him get over his fear of the huge animals.  His first horse was exceptionally gentle, and restored Elvis' love of riding.  

Soon Elvis was on the hunt for a golden palomino.  He traveled all across the country looking for just the right horse.  Eventually he found the horse he renamed Rising Sun, a beautiful and gentle golden palomino.  Rising Sun soon became Elvis' favorite horse, and Elvis became a very accomplished rider.  The Elvis Presley Pictures site has collected some wonderful pictures of Elvis and Rising Sun together.

Priscilla Presley will be attending BreyerFest and signing Rising Sun models.  Talk about an exciting way to add a new Breyer to your collection!