Sue Feast has been nominated for the Redheart Achievement Award for her outstanding contribution to the Appaloosa breed and the club over a long period of time. The decision by the Board of Directors to present this prestigious award in 2026 to Sue was a unanimous one.
Sue has done so much to promote and preserve the Appaloosa as a breed and has contributed widely to the club and its members having been our Newsletter Editor and Membership Secretary for many years. Sue has been totally dedicated and served as a Director for 19 years from 22 October 2006 to 15 November 2025. As we all know, this in itself is an achievement that not many people can or are willing to take on. Sue has been instrumental in proposing and supporting all the initiatives the ApHC UK has introduced. She has been proactive about protecting and improving the Appaloosa breed and she is especially interested in the welfare side. During Sue’s earlier involvement in the club she had her own stud, LazyS and bred from her stunning American Appaloosa stallion, Peyres Sully Cortez R, aka Roux. Sue has successfully shown him and his youngstock at our shows and county shows, including her lovely gelding Sully Buckaroux, aka Buckie, by Roux and out of Paisano Miss Chief. In the photos Sue is riding Roux at Moreton Morrell college and showing Buckie in a USA halter class.
We would like to thank Sue and award her the Redheart Achievement Award to recognise all her amazing achievements and contribution. You can read Sue’s own story below.
My Appaloosa Story by Sue Feast
Hi all. For those that don’t know me I’m Sue Feast (actually I have recently married so I’m now Sue Wallis).
At the 2026 ApHC UK National Show I was delighted to be nominated to receive the Redheart Achievement Award.
I have witnessed all the previous worthy recipients of this gorgeous trophy presented by the lovely Paula Cooper.
I have had to keep the secret until that precious moment of revelation. I have cried tears of joy at the surprise on their faces alongside everyone else. I never thought it would be my turn to receive it! It was my turn to be surprised and I definitely cried when I found out.
My Appaloosa journey started with a large spotted gelding, Joke, my first horse, who was not registered but we did so much together. He was a fabulous all rounder. As the century turned I moved my spotty boy to a place I rented on my own. I had a barn with four large stables and six acres, how lucky was I. It needed a few more equines to make it work. Somehow I ended up with several, all mine.
My first registered American Appaloosas was my future stallion Peyres Sully Cortez R, aka Roux. He was imported from Peyres Appaloosas in France at 5 months old in late 2004. Previously I had shown a non characteristic Appaloosa gelding for a friend who was less able to run (I was a lot younger then). We attended the 2004 ApHC UK National Show, I became a member that day and got seriously hooked on the breed and ultimately the Club. Somehow I got persuaded to import some new blood to the UK and after successful showing, and licensing, when Roux was old enough we bred him to several mares, one of those was mine Paisano Miss Chief. I bred two foals from her and kept the colt Sully Buckaroux. There were 10 foals bred from Roux, several are still around.
Over this time I was invited to take on the Club’s newsletter. My job at the time was in design and printing. I had previously been a professional photographer so felt suitably qualified to take up the challenge. That role snowballed into becoming a Club Director. I found myself involved with all the Club’s events from behind the scenes. I loved being involved and helping the members to enjoy their Appaloosas. Even Organising shows in different regions of the UK. One year I took on the National Show even! Our fabulous Director and good friend Kim Sands and her family had sadly lost their dad and I took over the reins for one show. Somehow I became Membership Secretary too!
In my 50th year, 2011, I was lucky enough to visit America and enjoy the ApHC Chief Joseph Trail Ride in Montana with long time founder members Joyce Nutland and Di Wilson. An amazing adventure. That’s a whole story in itself but I brought back an idea from the historic ride, the Silent Auction. The following years saw this event enhancing the income at the National Show much to my delight.
In early 2021 I lost my lovely stallion Roux and life changed when we lost our lovely yard of 17 years. I moved Buckie and a young Quarter horse to a DIY livery yard. In late 2022 I lost Buckie too. And that was the end of my Appaloosa ownership for I felt too old to take on new projects. I still have my AQH Chispa, who is nearly 10 now. I ride him Western but I’ve never competed on him as my days of running in show rings are done and I don’t enjoy riding in public so I’ve become a happy hacker and a pretty keen horse agility participant (all competitions are on line, no need to leave the yard).
I was made redundant from my design and print job early 2024 and was unable to continue with the Club’s printed newsletters, and all associated printing requirements, including the Appaloosa Calendar. After losing my boys too I felt I had lost my Appaloosa connection and last year resigned as Membership Secretary and later in the year resigned as a Director. But I still love you all and all things spotty, and enjoy reading the new digital newsletters.
Thank you ApHC UK for giving me the chance to make the VERY BEST memories and to enjoy continued friendships. Long may they last. And lastly Thank you for letting me enjoy the Redheart Achievement Award for the next year.
