Submitted by Raenie R. - Earned my bronze and silver medals on Major Polkadots
It is an “app”-solute pleasure to feature Appaloosas as February’s Breed of the Month!
Known for both their versatility and their color, Appaloosas were first bred by the Nez Perce tribe, whose herds were renowned for their strength, intelligence, and beauty. The early 1800’s led to settlers seeking out “A Palouse Horse” for themselves (named for the Palouse River in Northern Idaho). This early name evolved to become today’s Appaloosa. The 1877 Nez Perce War resulted in the tribe’s herds being dispersed.
Today’s Appaloosas can be found excelling in western pleasure, gaming, working cows, and dressage. They are prized for their easy-going nature and reliability.
We recently asked our social media followers to share photos of their Appaloosa and Appaloosa crosses, and let us know what makes these horses so special. Below, you can see some of their photos and stories! Check out Part One here, and keep an eye out for more galleries and exclusive stories featuring these historic horses through the end of February 2022!
Do you want to share a photo of your Appaloosa? E-mail us at yourdressage@gmail.com for your chance to be featured!
Submitted by Katie L. – The Score Card, 6 year old stallion owned by Katie LangdaleSubmitted by Janet R. – Splash of Courage. Appaloosa gelding. Bred and owned by Janet RamirezSubmitted by Chelsea B. – My future spotty dressage horse is Echo, a yearling foundation Appaloosa and Andalusian cross. Very excited for his future!Submitted by Megan F. – Waps Simmeria, 10 year old ApHC mare. Unshown currently due to life and competing ponies in CDEs, but I hope to show her soon, under saddle and in CDEs!Submitted by Sarah C. – A Perfect Renaissance, Double registered Appaloosa and Colorado RangerSubmitted by Lucie H.J. – My 11 year old Appaloosa gelding Uno and I started dressage last spring.Submitted by Chelsea B. – IO Ima Braveheart, 1999 Foundation Appaloosa who has been my heart horse for the last 15 years. He’s taking the winter off to adjust to his new Cushings medications, but hopefully he’ll be back to work in the spring! Best horse i could ever ask for.Submitted by Erin M.Submitted by Erin M. – Love my two Leopard appysSubmitted by Janina K. – Hustler’s Rhythm “Remy” the horse of a lifetime shown at 23 now 25 years old and still amazingSubmitted by Nancy W.Submitted by Rebecca B. – 10 yr old leopard Appaloosa x Percheron named Princess PaisleySubmitted by Sandra H. – Finn is a 2021colt by Dubarry who will be heading to the Dressage ring when he grows upSubmitted by Courtney S. – See Spot Run- “Pig” Friesian/Appaloosa Currently working towards GP, shown through I1Submitted by Rāchôl K. – My 2013 ApHC mare, Jetta, who helped me earn my USDF Bronze Medal in 2019. COVID & other life challenges have prevented us from showing since then, but we’ll be ready to earn scores for our silver medal when we can get back to showing! Submitted by Rāchôl K. – She has so much try, and is schooling all the tempis including one tempis, piaffe, zig zags, etc. I think she’ll be the one to help me earn my gold medal someday, too. We live in a rural northern MN community with all kinds of barriers to learning dressage – instruction, shows, etc. are so far away! And it was -42°F this morning lol but that doesn’t stop us.Submitted by Rembrandt Hill Equestrian – ❤️ Derby ❤️Submitted by Vanessa H. – My heart horse, Playboy. Bought for $700 at auction and I didn’t tell my parents (I was 12 years old). Trained him myself from barely broke to schooling most of the Grand Prix. He won everything at FEI, including 4x USDF Champs and 3x NW Champs. Taught beginners until he was 28 years old and I finally asked him to please retire. He lived to be 37 years old. Bravest horse I ever met.Submitted by Holly H.Submitted by Alicia S. – My wonderful appy cross, Bright Design, took me to Nationals this year! I’ve never been so honored to own this mare.Submitted by Nancy H. – Not a dressage pic but our first time swimming together 1st level this year.Submitted by Jenna M. – Yes! Normalize Appys in EnglishSubmitted by Kelly B. – My old man Mystic Dreamfinder who is 22 this year and still full of lifeSubmitted by Melissa L. – I’m drawn to breed ever since I was a kid! I am very fortunate to have two in my life right now! 💗 This appy unicorn is 23!Submitted by Lyndsey P. – My heart horse High Spot Sand Tiger 💕Submitted by Ginny W. – This is Shez Country Magic aka Domino. We were USDF All Breeds – Appaloosa Horse Club Training Level reserve champion in 2016.Submitted by Prin F. – Love my Appys. Supremely lit Image at Regional 8 Championships.Submitted by Prin F. – Supremely Lit Image. 2019 ApHC All Breeds champion Training Level.Submitted by Elle C. – Spanish Socks, a career HUS and all around horse who graciously went along with my transition into the dressage world, giving his all, as always. Wish the heart horses could live forever!Submitted by Amy G. – My sweet boy, Hidden Latch is half-Appy. I first saw him as a two week old foal and was the first person to ever sit on his back.Submitted by Nicole R. – Foundation bred Appaloosa doing dressage!Submitted by Jennifer L. – My baby, Dexter, rescued at 9 months old with frostbitten ears! Now an event prospect!Submitted by Sandi S. – This is an old picture (2004) this horse, PTS Bold Design, was one in a million. PT and his owner, an amazing friend, are no longer with us but their memories live on.Submitted by Gemma F. – Appaloosa x Connemara! Very interesting little mare.Submitted by Kaitlin M. – my appaloosa Josie ❤️Submitted by Sheila P. – Kelly Arnold’s (KLA Dressage, LLC) few spot appy, High Hand Hunter “Huntley”! Huntley is the 2020 ACAAP Master’s Award for Dressage. He’s won USDF All-Breed awards for Training Level Open (2017) and for First Level with a junior rider (2021).Submitted by Carol M. – My Dakota & I are just beginning our Dressage journey; but this Appy is so smart and loves to please. We plan on a summer of fun showing off what he’s learned.Submitted by Loree M. – My youngster “Inspired DZign”! He’s ready to start under saddle as soon as the snow melts here in the CO mountains.Submitted by Sheila P. – Hannah Watson’s Halcyonic Frost “Oliver”! Oliver is a 10-year-old frosted appy who has just begun his dressage journey with his new mommy after switching over from the western world!Submitted by Shelby P. – “Sneakers” my childhood horse that I grew up on🥰Submitted by Karen K . – A Wapz Spotted grandson
[…] so special. Below, you can see some of their photos and stories! Check out Part One, Part Two, and Part Three of our gallery series from February […]
[…] so special. Below, you can see some of their photos and stories! Check out Part One, Part Two, and Part Three of our gallery series from February […]