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

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.

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/

Some people are starting a fitness programme for their horses (and themselves) and planning what shows they want to compete in. Our National Show is on the weekend of the 9th/10th August and it is our Silver Anniversary special. We are pretty excited about it already. Lisa has compiled a list of affiliated shows that you can attend with beautiful rosettes for the highest placed member and double points towards your performance awards. If you are doing something with your Appy and you would like to share photos and write something for the E-news, we would be delighted. You can also post on our members FB page and WotsAppy WhatsApp group. Please ask to be added to either of these if you are not involved already.

Please check that your horse’s passports are up to date – in your name and that you are a current paid up member. (online form is on the website or contact Karen Bache (memberships@aphcuk.org) Your horse’s vaccinations need to be up to date to show. If the passport is tatty, you can upgrade it to a gold standard hybrid Equiventus passport. We just transfer all the vaccinations over adding new photos, USA registration certificate if applicable. We may need a new silhouette from the vet, it depends on how old the original is but I can always advise you. The cost is £30. (contact: 07827 858120 or registrations@aphcuk.org)

Knowledge Nugget #2

Spring is all about detoxification. Shaking off the Winter and getting everything moving again.

Your horses are probably shedding like crazy which makes them itchy, this puts a strain on the liver and kidneys as the natural spring detox cuts in. The best forage herbs to help are just popping up in the hedgerows now. Cleavers (Sticky Willy, Sticky Weed) Cow Parsley, Dandelion Leaves and Nettles. Go and find a few handfuls and offer them to your horse every day if possible. You will need to wilt the nettles before offering, or make a tea ( pour boiling water on the nettles, steep for 10 minutes, then allow to cool or add to a bucket of water) You can also offer Hawthorn sprigs, Gorse flowers and Bramble leaf buds. All of these herbs will boost sluggish lymph and circulation and support the kidneys and liver. (credit to Rachael Maxwell at animalbotanical.com)

Supporting the horses gut is very important as the spring grass comes in. Ad-lib hay and movement is the key. The reason that laminitis is such a risk now and is because the sugars in the grass are high in the new growth and the gut microbiome cannot adjust to the change quickly enough. For many years I have been using a fermented liquid in their feed. It is like kombucha for horses, fermented from water and herbs it contains billions of micro-organisms and is pre-biotic to help colonise the gut. I have found it invaluable to help with change in feed or forage. For more details go to www.plusbac.net and look up Plusbac Feed. The best way to buy it is in a 5L ‘winebox’. I give between 25-100 ml a day per horse. Enjoy!

Listed below are the shows and dates that are affiliating to ApHC UK in 2025. The highest placed Appaloosa in the appropriate class at these shows will receive a commemorate rosette in addition to any awards the show may give. This year we are hoping to give extra special rosettes only awarded at our affiliated shows so you won’t be able to get these anywhere else!

Shows affiliated to-date for 2025:

• Sherwood Easter Show (Western show, but some English classes) 4th – 6th April 2025 at Oakridge Arena, Newark, Nottinghamshire. Entry forms at Sherwood shows FB page.
• APHS Northern Counties 4th May 2025 at Croft Top Eldnar Consultancy, Lancashire. Classes for pure and part bred foreign breeds, in hand and ridden (including Concours).
• APHS South West 1st June at The Avon Centre, Henbury, Bristol
• Royal Cornwall 6th June at the Royal Cornwall Showground, Wadebridge
• APHS Invicta Show 22nd June at White Horse Farm, Kent
• APHS London Counties 7th September at Patchesham EC, Surrey
• Foreign Breed National Finals 5th October at Pickering Grange, Leicestershire

More shows to follow, but whatever you do – have fun!

Please support our affiliated shows if you can, and send us a picture of your adventures! And while you’re on, why not keep a record of your achievements (forms available on our webpage at https://aphcuk.org/documents-forms/ and keep scrolling to the bottom) so you can enter the performance awards at the end of the year. And don’t forget, it is DOUBLE POINTS for all performance points earned at ApHC UK affiliated shows. These points go towards both the annual hi points scheme, The Amazing Blue Performance Awards, in honour of ApHC UK founder member, Joyce Nutland who was the driving force behind setting up the ApHC UK in 2000. The points also go towards your individual ROMs in each discipline. In our photo from left to right is Paula Cooper, Auriol Thorne, Jo Prestidge-King and Evie Williams being presented with their ROM certificates at the 2024 National Show. Well done everyone!

If you support a specific show suitable for Appaloosas and the show secretary is open to affiliating with us, please contact me at shows@aphcuk.org and ask for the affiliation form. It is a very straight forward process and we will provide our extra special rosettes at no cost. Good luck everyone for whatever you do with your Appys in 2025. We look forward to hearing about it for the newsletter.

Lisa Randle

Show Affiliation & Performance Co-ordinator

The welfare horses are thriving at Julies still. They are out with her small herd 24/7. Tippy has befriended a new livery horse who is an ex-eventer and still running on adrenaline. He was very stressed and Tippy is supporting his transition into a calmer way of life.

Joey is the more nervous and sensitive of the two but he will groom Louie, who is a very traumatised ex racing TB , it has been really joyful watching Joey interacting with him and as a result, it is benefitting both of them.

Both boys are having regular foot trims and they have both been to the dentist – much needed!  They are both really sweet and are still very bonded even though they have other friends within the herd.

Thank you to everybody who has donated to the Welfare fund, it is so helpful and so appreciated as finding the boys a forever home together will be quite difficult. A big donation from the farmer that rescued them will go towards their re-training in Spring, we are beyond grateful to Wendy for this, it was a lovely surprise and very generous.

We are still looking for someone to adopt them but we will vet their potential home and do regular checks as they have been through a lot.  Ultimately we hope they will be able to be happy hackers or companions.

Low key show jumping practice 26 January & 23 February – starting from poles and little jumps.

Also ridden & in hand showing lessons for any level 1 February, with ‘talent spotting’ for The Showing Register (TSR Accredited Trainer).

All session held at Gracelands EC, Near Droitwich, Worcestershire.

See ‘events’ on my Facebook page, or email lisa_randle@btinternet.com

Hello to all our Appaloosa enthusiasts,
If you are interested in progressing with your western riding and would like to join a clinic with Lee Rutter at Oakridge Arena, there are western clinics planned every month from February to June in 2025.  Lee has first hand knowledge of Appaloosas, having run very informative and helpful clinics before our national show for the last two years.  Lee and Becky also have their own Appaloosas which they bring to our show and are well aware of their characteristics and trainability.
See below photos of Lee and Chameral Black Ice competing at the 2024 National Show.
The popular Oakridge Sherwood Easter Show is being held on 4 to 6 June 2025 and will be affiliated to the ApHC UK which means you can double your performance points! 
The address is: Oakridge Arena, Swinderby Road, Collingham, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG23 7NZ. Telephone 01636 894290 or look on the link below for further information.
http://www.oakridgearena.co.uk/events-diary.html