I keep promising to explain the new passport legislation but as yet DEFRA haven’t approved the restructuring of our studbook. They have assessed it, made some comments and it seems to be compliant but Kim and I attended the 826 Breeds Society AGM this week and all the breed societies are having similar but slightly different issues – particularly with part-bred status.

So, I will do my best to advise breeders but please keep in mind that this may change….

At the moment, there is no problem for you as breeders with full bred Appaloosas. Our USA studbook is a closed studbook and nothing will change there.

The B register is now called the UK register and there will be several categories within it, these have yet to be finalised and will be categorised by the percentage of Appaloosa blood and our breed profile.

We have to allow up-grading through the UK register with each generation if appropriate.

So that leaves our C register and part-bred register in the supplementary studbook currently. Our C register applications fit the breed profile but have no known breeding, usually this is an overstamp of their passport but if we provide a passport it is ID only.

As things stand Part-breds can now only be issued with an ID passport (with breeding in the back) so they will not be counted as registered animals with a Zootechnic certificate because they lack pure-bred status. This may not matter if your part-bred stays in the UK but if they are exported into the EU or travel over to the EU to compete, they will have to go through strict lairage protocols – like farm animals! It is actually beyond bonkers! especially as since 2016 all the PIO’s have been audited and passed by DEFRA for studbook compliancy. This is why all breed societies are fighting against this new take on the legislation. Also, most of our part-breds are 50% Appaloosa or over, this is a lot more than some part-breds with other societies. Our out-crossed breeding of TB, Arab or Quarter Horse are still legit.

You can help by really thinking hard about breeding a part bred in the next breeding season, especially if you hope to export. You could possibly register with a Sport Horse Society then overstamp with us, obviously, we don’t want to push away our registration income or our members!

We will keep fighting on with the other breed societies and with guidance from Chris and Anna from Equiventus (who make our beautiful passports) Hopefully, everyone will get some clarity soon and I will keep you in the loop. A slight hope is that there may be a moratorium, which could potentially mean that all equines with a UK passport will still be in the higher welfare category if exported. Fingers crossed this will happen soon.

Auriol

Main Register – Western Most Versatile:-
1st – CA Syzygy Invitation & Tim Keeley – 40 points
2nd – Mels Back to Black & Emma Hardy – 36 points
3rd – Xtremely Hollywood CA & Janette Keeley – 14 points

Part Bred Register – Most Versatile:-
1st – Zand Edition & Holly Brown – 24 points

Characteristic Register – Most Versatile:-
1st – Cranfold Atticus Zebadia & Evie Williams – 36 points

Western Open Hi Points:-
1st – CA Syzygy Invitation & Tim Keeley – 40 points

Western Novice Hi Points:-
1st – Cranfold Atticus Zebadia & Evie Williams – 36 points
2nd – Zand Edition & Joanne Prestidge-King – 26 points

Junior Youth – Age Up to 12 years – The Rum Youth Challenge Award:-
1st – Cranfold Atticus Zebadia & Livvy Johncock – 40 points
2nd – Mels Back to Black & Annabelle Tear – 22 points

Senior Youth – Age 13 to 18 years – The Bloxham Bluebell Youth Challenge Cup:-
1st – La Mauniere Grace & Sophie Bacchus – 50 points
2nd – Cranfold Atticus Zebadia & Evie Williams – 32 points

Founder ApHC UK member & supporter Julie Sands sadly passed away recently on 11 September 2025.

Julie was an active supporter in the early days when the club was formed in 2000 helping Joyce Nutland and her daughter, Kim Sands at shows and events promoting the club and attracting new members. Julie also helped form the Tuscany Sands Stud with daughters, Karen, Tracy and Kim and had a life long interest in the Appaloosa breed. For those that wish to leave a message there is a condolence book online and the family are collecting for the Diabetes UK charity in her memory.  See the link below.

https://funeral-notices.co.uk/notice/sands/5266483

Whether you’re competing, trail riding, training a youngster, or simply enjoying time with your Appaloosa in the field – we want to hear from you!

At ApHC UK, we’re passionate about celebrating the incredible Appaloosa breed and the amazing community behind it. Every story, big or small, helps showcase just how special these horses are and the unique bond we all share with them.

We’d love to feature YOU in our upcoming newsletters and social media!

Here’s how to get involved:
Email us your story and photos (to marketing@aphcuk.org) 

Tag us in your Facebook/instagram posts @aphc_uk so we can follow along on your journey!

We can’t wait to hear from you!
-Lil (Marketing Director)

Those early lessons only deepened my respect for the Appaloosa breed’s intelligence, versatility, and heart. Growing up, I lived through countless foaling seasons, early mornings, and show days, each moment shaping not just my horsemanship but who I am.
My own journey with these incredible horses has been filled with unforgettable highlights- most notably in 2023, when I was honored as USA Reserve Supreme Champion with Redheart Revelation, who was carrying SPD Bring To Light at the time. Introducing SPD Bring To Light into the world myself and watching her follow in her dam’s footsteps, winning championship title at county level as a yearling, has been a true source of pride. But beyond the trophies and titles, it’s the daily bond, the trust, and the connection with these horses that mean the most.

Outside the barn, I run my dad’s wholesale fruit and vegetable business… a fast-paced, hands-on role that starts before dawn. Driving lorries, managing orders, and keeping operations running smoothly demand the same dedication and discipline I learned from working with horses.

Horses aren’t just what I do- they’re who I am. Being part of the Appaloosa community is a legacy I’m proud to carry forward, and I’m always excited to connect with fellow enthusiasts to share stories, memories, and our shared passion for these extraordinary spotted companions.

Thank you for letting me share my journey with you.

—————————————————-
Assisting Lilly in her new role is Jo:

I’ve been riding horses since I could walk, and today I proudly share my journey with my Appaloosa gelding, Spot. He’s the ultimate all-rounder — we compete in showjumping, dressage, showing, Western disciplines, and we’re also part of the Northamptonshire Police’s Volunteers on Horseback team, helping support rural policing efforts from the saddle.
Outside the arena, I enjoy the thrill of motorbike riding and lend my heart and home to fostering rabbits for the RSPCA until they find their forever families. I also share my life with five fabulous cats (some happily rescued), and my ever-supportive husband, Bryn.
And when I’m not riding horses or motorbikes, I suit up as a Ghostbuster! I’m a proud member of both the East Anglia and East Midlands Ghostbusters — keeping spirits high and smiles wide at fan events and charity appearances.

• The role is to work with the ApHC UK Board to promote the Appaloosa breed and the club including:-
• Co-ordinate and build our social media presence and website content
• Write articles, leaflets advertising, press releases and newsletter updates and articles
• Organise and represent the Appaloosa breed and the club at events and exhibitions
• Support and help members and third parties interested in the Appaloosa breed
• Encourage members to show and promote their Appaloosas
• Build and share knowledge about the breed, the club activities including showing, performance schemes and other opportunities
• Co-ordinate the development and requirements of ApHC UK Ambassadors to promote the breed and the club
• Assist in setting up a breed consultation group with members to help disseminate Defra’s new breed structure requirements and help preserve and promote the Appaloosa breed
• Jo Prestidge-King has very kindly agreed to work with Lilly and support her in this role.

“As one of the younger voices on the Board, I bring a fresh perspective – blending the ApHC UK’s rich history with modern tools and ideas to help the Club grow and engage a new generation of Appaloosa enthusiasts.

I’m committed to being an open, approachable, and engaged Director; supporting members at every level, from long-time breeders to those just beginning their journey with the breed. I’m here to listen, represent, and help ensure the ApHC UK continues to thrive for years to come.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me. I’ve always admired, respected, and appreciated the dedication the ApHC UK Directors put into running this fantastic Club.

I’m excited for what lies ahead and truly honoured to serve this incredible Appaloosa community.”

You will hear more from Lilly in the next newsletter as we have asked her to introduce herself and write about her own personal journey and her Appaloosas.

On behalf of all the ApHC UK Directors, please join us in wishing Lilly every success in her new role. It is certainly exciting times ahead and the start of a new chapter for the Club.

Four years later she is 490kgs, has no fat pads except a slightly cresty neck which may never go because the fat cells actually change and don’t return to normal. Her neck however, is soft.

I have mentioned Prairie’s start point on her journey back to health because the management for EMS is very similar to other metabolic problems like Cushings (PPID) and PSSM1. All of these conditions means the horse has chronic inflammation in their body and cannot metabolise sugar and starch.

So, prepare yourself for the long haul, and it can be a bit of a roller-coaster ride…..you have to trust the process which is a bit of a leap of faith.

You may need veterinary intervention and drugs to start with, as they get results quickly and can stabilise the situation. But in the long term, you can change your management and use diet, herbs or homeopathy.

1. To start off with, test your hay, make sure it is unsprayed meadow hay with the sugar content under 10%, use slow feeders if you have to but your horse should have access to hay 24/7. When Prairie was in critical mode, I soaked her hay but only for 20 minutes

to get rid of the sugar not long enough to breed pathogenic bacteria in it or take out all the nutrients. She was in my round pen for 2 weeks only, with soaked hay and as soon as she could cope with going out with the boys, I turned her back out with them. She needed movement and interaction.

2. Start reading labels on bagged feed and balancers, some companies give the impression that they have natural products but when you actually read the ingredients it is full of fillers. Avoid everything with soy (very inflammatory), molasses (sugar), alfalfa (inflammatory), wheat feed and oatfeed and some brewers yeast (all by-products from the human food chain and really bad for horses.)

3. Minerals and heavy metals are a minefield. I tested my horses with Mineral Check, which is a hair sample test. Contact me if you are interested in this for more details.

I also started using a mineral balancer recommended by a practitioner friend called Ocean Feed Technology. This is a blend of 12 different seaweeds that are mixed to lower the iron and iodine intake. Kelp on its own can be toxic. It supports the Thyroid gland which was very important for Prairie’s endocrine imbalances. I found that the moment I stopped it or ran out, that her weight loss would plateau!! You can get this from www.healthyguthealthyhorse.co.uk based in the New Forest, they are the UK distributor.

4. Start supporting your horse’s gut with forage from the hedgerows. The Cow Parsley and Cleavers are nearly finished but Nettles are rampant now. (cut them and let them wilt before feeding, or make a tea and dilute in a half bucket of water as a water buffet)

The strong winds lately have brought down the smaller branches on trees , you can throw these in for the horse’s to munch, Oak, Willow, Poplar, Birch, Hazel and Hawthorn. These all have their individual medicinal qualities but if the horse is allowed to self-select, they will only take what they need.

Top herbs for blood sugar balancing – all of these herbs have blood sugar level balancing properties.

1 Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum)

2 Gymnema Sylvestre (Gymnema sylvestre)

3 Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum)

4 Nettle (Urtica dioica)

5 Goats Rue (Galega officinalis)

6 Green Tea (Camellia sinensis)

7 Holy Basil (Ocimum sanctum)

8 Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)

9 Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum)

10 Cow Parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris)

11 Seaweed (Various species)

12 Berberine spp (Various species)

13 Turmeric (Curcuma longa)

If you want to learn more about how to use these, go to www.animalbotanical.co.uk

for a free download. Rachael Maxwell also runs amazing courses for owners and practitioners, details on the same website. For an iridology assessment please go to www.equine-insight.co.uk and all my contact details are on there.

Please come to the AGM via Zoom, all of the relevant paperwork is going out to you at the beginning of June, it is YOUR club and we need to know what you require from us and what you would like to see/happen within the club.

Tippy and Joey, our welfare horses continue to do well under Julies care. A couple of lovely ladies came to look at them with a view to adoption as companions to their retired mare. Unfortunately, they decided that they weren’t the right fit for them, so the boys are still looking for their forever home. They are having some training next weekend to see what they can do but we still would like to find a lovely home for them and donations for their care is always welcome and hugely appreciated.

Congratulations to the following members for achieving such great results in 2024.

The Amazing Blue Performance Awards, in honour of ApHC UK founder member, Joyce Nutland.

Champion: Evie Williams & Cranfold Atticus Zebadia 42 points

Reserve: Joanne Prestidge-King & Zand Edition 32.5 points

Third: Elizabeth Buxton & Saltcreek Sundown 23 points

Fourth: Daisy Williams & Tuscany Adonis 8 points

Fifth: Di Wilson & Tober Chief Joe Glow 7 points

Members record the points earned at events throughout the relevant year and submit them to the club at the end of the year for the competition.

The following 2024 ROMs have been awarded in various disciplines to:-

Evie Williams & Cranfold Atticus Zebadia Western Ridden

Joanne Prestidge-King & Zand Edition Western Ridden

Elizabeth Buxton & Saltcreek Sundown Dressage

Daisy Williams & Tuscany Adonis English Ridden

Members earn points in a specific discipline and are awarded a ROM when they reach the required number of points. There is no time limit, you can go at your own pace.

Saddle Log Scheme

Elizabeth Buxton & Saltcreek Sundown 97 hours & 20 minutes Bronze Award

All members need to do is keep a record on the saddle log entry form of the date, approximate area ridden and how many hours in the saddle and submit it at the end of the year. The points continue to accumulate and you can graduate from Bronze Award to Platinum Award.

All competitions are for the same horse & competitor combination

Certificates will be presented at our National Show

Rember you can earn DOUBLE POINTS at any show affiliated to the club including, of course our annual UK National show.

See the link to our website with the full details and download the relevant forms and start recording your points for 2025! Thank you to Lisa Randle for administering the schemes. https://aphcuk.org/performance-versatility/