The following article was featured in the January 2025 edition of the ApHC newsletter, promoting international affiliates. We have shared it here for everyone to read and enjoy!
Welcome to one of our approved international affiliates—the Appaloosa Horse Club UK
The Appaloosa Horse Club UK was formed in February 2000, by a group of enthusiasts led by founder member, Joyce Nutland. It was quickly affiliated to the ApHC as the ‘daughter breed’ society for the UK. The aims and objectives of the club are to preserve and promote the Appaloosa in the UK, in accordance with the rules and principles of the ApHC.
In 2025 we are celebrating 25 years, our Silver Anniversary, and we hope to make it a special year. In addition to the USA Grand Champion Championships, we hold a Youngstock Championship and a USA Supreme Championship. We have a separate FPD Championship to recognise the foundation bred horses and their Appaloosa heritage. In our English program we encourage traditional disciplines including side saddle, dressage or freestyle to music, and the increasingly popular Concours d’ Elegance classes, in-hand and ridden.
We hold a training clinic the day before the show which is free to our members. Over 3000 members including youth members have joined. Currently the annual rate is around 150. Appaloosas registered is around 2,200. The club is run by a board of six directors who are all volunteers and are supported by other office holders. We are a small, friendly and inclusive club with a supportive community across the UK. Our highlight is the national show in August.
Our members get together for the weekend with their Appaloosas to compete in both English and Western disciplines. The UK classes are on Saturday and USA classes on Sunday, judged by an ApHC approved judge. This is a great opportunity and an honour for the club’s members to compete in ApHC-affiliated classes. Members can enter Most Versatile Appaloosa competitions for English and Western horses. These are very popular as members can earn points from each element at the show to compete for the Most Versatile Championship trophy. Our youth members are an integral part of the club and have their own High Points award which they can enter on their own ponies. They can also compete for the Most Versatile awards, provided they are competing on a registered Appaloosa.
For members that don’t show, we run an annual Saddle Log program and online photo and video competitions. This started during Covid and proved very popular. Members keep performance records throughout the year which count toward our annual High Points competition and the Amazing Blue Performance Awards. Members can also earn Register of Merit certificates in disciplines such as Halter, English & Western Riding, Dressage, Trail, Showjumping etc. Points accumulate until the required points are achieved. There is no time limit, you can go at your own pace.
The club also has an annual achievement award, sponsored by Redheart Appaloosas, which is awarded each year. Recipients are proposed by our members and voted on by the Board. The achievement can be in any sphere that contributes to the club and its members. This year it was awarded to long standing member, Lisa Randle. Members submit photos of their Appaloosas for our calendar competition which is sent out at Christmas. Additionally, we have created a WhatsApp group and Facebook page to keep members involved and supported throughout the year. It is an ideal forum to share ideas and stay up to-date with club news.
We have different breed registries in the UK. Our A – American register is for Appaloosas registered with the ApHC. Our B – British Register is for Appaloosas from British pedigrees not eligible for the ApHC. We follow ApHC principles and recognise permitted outcrosses. We have a separate P Part-breed register, where one parent must be by an A- or B-registered Appaloosa. We have a hardship register based on ApHC criteria; these horses are registered on our C- Characteristic Register. We run classes and competitions for all registers, so there is plenty for everyone to do.
Unfortunately since Brexit we cannot register our British Appaloosas born outside the UK. This is very sad for us especially as these are horses from established UK bloodlines. We are still hoping for a solution as these Appaloosas are not normally eligible for ApHC registration. We are very proud to be an ApHC International Affiliate; Our club incorporates the principals of the ApHC. We have a very supportive membership, and many lifelong friendships have been formed, all devoted to our wonderful, unique and quirky breed. The Appaloosa, the breed of choice. Our published book ‘The Appaloosa’ is part of the Allen Guide to Horse & Pony Breeds.
Reference (ISBN 978 0 85131 889 9)
By Kim Sands, ApHCUK Marketing Director
