An American Drum Horse stallion named Mariah’s Boon was a model patient at the University of Florida’s (UF) Large Animal Hospital between 2008 and 2009, when he received two surgeries and numerous checkups for an abdominal abscess caused by a small wire that had penetrated his stomach.

Now, quite literally, and at only 6 years of age, he’s in the process of becoming a true model horse.

Mariah’s Boon–known affectionately to his owner, Laura Moon, as Boon–has been chosen as the 2012 Celebration Breyer Horse. The Breyer Animal Creations Company, a subsidiary of Reeves International, manufactures plastic, porcelain, and resin model horses.

Moon learned last summer that Breyer was looking for a Drum Horse with show experience and its own Drum outfit. Boon met the criteria: After his health problems resolved (more on those in a moment), he’s been busy in the show ring, winning such accolades as Grand Champion Stallion at the Florida State Fair for two years in a row and just receiving Grand Champion Drum, Grand Champion Performance Drum, and Grand Champion High Point Drum from the Feathered Horse Classic in Georgia