Hi everyone,
Well, there is lots going on at ApHC UK HQ at the moment. We are busy organising the National Show and the AGM. Please do attend the AGM and give your ideas and views, we appreciate your input! You do need to be a current paid up member for 2026. If you have not yet renewed, please do so and let me know if you would like to attend the AGM which is being held via zoom. The show schedule and entry form is already up on the website – big thank you to Shannon, we are just waiting for the patterns and they will be put up shortly.
In the registrations department there have been many big changes during the last 10 years or so, culminating in a restructure from DEFRA. This affects all breed societies with registering and passporting foals. There have been suggestions that DEFRA want to have all passports issued from a central office, taking out the breed societies completely. This would mean that all passports would be ID only. The simple fact is that Passports are the main source of income for all breed societies/PIO’s, such a change if DEFRA are successful would significantly reduce our income as well as negatively affecting the integrity of the breed. We and all UK breed societies are fighting this.
How we plan to protect our Society and Breed
1. We are lucky in that we are a daughter society of the ApHC in America, so the USA/A register is protected from change.
2. Our UK/B register is in the process of being re-structured which has been provisionally approved by DEFRA. We are submitting a (very long) form to be formally approved and verified.
3. To help this process we are going to implement DNA testing and parentage verification for ALL breeding stock.
4. If you already register in the USA then your horses DNA will already be on file with Animal Genetics and this can be accessed by us too.
5. Animal Genetics already do our genetic and colour tests. I am in the process of setting up an account with them for all DNA tests, which I will be share shortly.
6. If you have a DNA profile from another lab eg: Weatherby’s, Animal Genetics will add it free of charge if you send it to me first.
7. We are aiming to have a deadline of 1st September 2026 to have both existing and new DNA tests uploaded. Next year’s foals can have a little hair pulled by the vet when they are microchipped. Until then please could you take a photo of this year’s foals suckling from their mother within a week of birth please. You can WhatsApp it to me on 07827858120, with the mares registered name. This will only be necessary until the DNA database is up and running.
Could you also, please make sure I have a breeding report on file which is due before 31st December each year, but it can come through anytime from the end of the breeding season. It costs £10 plus £2 per mare listed. You can send me the USA breeding report if appropriate to avoid duplicating paperwork.
Remember ALL forms are on our website to download and print. Most forms can be sent to me via email or WhatsApp, except for the registration forms. They have to be sent snail mail as I need the originals. The photos can be sent digitally but please make sure they have the foal’s name and your name on them so I can link them with the paperwork.
Why DNA
Having DNA on file gives us credibility as a Society, and accountability when registering horses as an Appaloosa, which is a breed not a colour. Many other societies including the ApHC USA have been doing DNA Parentage testing for some time and we feel it is the way forward to preserve our beautiful breed within the DEFRA guidelines and to maintain our PIO status.
Thank you for your continued support, it is really appreciated by all of the Directors.
Contact me on registrations@aphcuk.org or on WhatsApp/phone: 07827858120 if you need more info or have questions.
Thank you,
Auriol
Registrar
