Submitted by Tanya R. - Belynda Moore and Weydor Daz
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, Part Two, and Part Three of our gallery series from February 2022!
In the month of March, we will be featuring Trakehners! E-mail us at yourdressage@gmail.com for your chance to be featured!
Submitted by Jennifer C. – My soon to be 24 year old gelding, showing 2nd levelSubmitted by Cassie A. – Alexi – ridden by Morgan Ashlea SanbornSubmitted by Morgan S. – AlexiSubmitted by Mikala W. – ApHC Hunters Dream Girl 🥰 Laura Schweigert PhotographySubmitted by Deborah B.Submitted by Aaron DSubmitted by Shira R. – I just started a lease on an appy! We’ll be competing first/second level this year 😁Submitted by Janet R. – Splash of Courage is a 2008 Appaloosa gelding I bred, raised, and trained.Submitted by Kandice B. – My wonderful boy Ruger 💕 Blind on his left side but an amazingly talented and sweet boy 😍Submitted by Trisha D. – My heart horse, the incredible late CFS Wolf. Wolfie came to me as a yearling when the Selle Francais x Appy filly I had purchased had to be put down at the breeder with a twisted gut. Little did I know the role the somewhat homely smaller foundation bred app would play in my life. He was loyal and wonderful. Together we worked our way up the dressage levels learning. We ventured to the dressage at Devon horse show where I handled as an AA and he won the international sport horse of color class. Wolfie helped me to earn my bronze medal and required scores to go on into the L judge program. Wolfie won numerous AA Dover medals and loved freestyles and the pas de deux winning the Northern VA freestyle challenge and reserve regional and BLM championships. Wolfie trained up to the FEI levels and retired to teach lower level riders. Wolfie progressively lost both eyes but continued to be ridden, loved and cared for my my good friend.Submitted by Teresa C. – Maggie taking a snooze🤣A little pony appySubmitted by Angela R. – Appy Friesian cross! 19 in this picture getting his first scores at 4th level.Submitted by Pippa B. – Mariah, born in the US, now living in BermudaSubmitted by Lauren E.Submitted by Madison J.Submitted by Melissa S. – Anchored in Faith, 4 yo Appaloosa Sporthorse and Heritage ASHDA. Second Dressage competition. Training Level T3Submitted by Elizabeth W. – My appaloosa cross Treat Me Like A Princess. Best horse ever, together we showed training level and first level together.Submitted by Isel D. – My first horse, Native (3/4 TB, 1/4 appy).Submitted by Emily G. – Goosebumps! Now happily enjoying his retirement and teaching the junior riders!Submitted by Adria W. – Crissale, Adequan/USDF All Breeds Reserve Champion!Submitted by Shelby P . -“Malibu” my heart horse🥰Submitted by Alix F. – I found Tank as an abandoned unbroke 13 year old. He is such a kind willing boy. He’s up for anything from dressage to bareback and bridleless. ❤️Submitted by Sandy W. – My Foundation AppySubmitted by Krystal T. – Riveting Design, Aka McPon. This was him as a 4 yr old, he is now 13. He is a Friesian x AppaloosaSubmitted by Angela S. – Manchie my 18 yr old 1 eyed starvation case rescue *NOTE USDF strongly recommends all riders wear protective headgear when mountedSubmitted by Lindsay G.Submitted by Karen F. – Submitted by Mia H.Submitted by Melissa L.Submitted by Debbie B.Submitted by Siren W. – Earthas Smart Move My first dressage show😻Submitted by Marilyn L. – Chief 🥰Submitted by Deborah C. – Our beautiful Waps!Submitted by Meghan V. – Love my appy!!Submitted by Kathy C. – My late Appaloosa, Cadet Commander, at a big Morven Park recognized show. Year end award winner plus ACAAP Master In Dressage with ApHC. They don’t make them like that anymore.Submitted by Ary L. – Beaugard GWF is my up and coming youngster- can’t wait to start riding him consistently this spring -he has beautiful movement. He is a lovely Hanoverian cross bred by Elizabeth Jenner at Gateway Farms.Submitted by Kay D. – Res Nuggets Revolt (Houdini) Second level at Mid Ohio Dressage.Submitted by Alex T. – my boy Aragorn; he is 27 years young. He is my heart horse 😊 he is unregistered but he is clearly an appaloosa cross of some sort. I’m tearing up because I miss him so much!! He’s out in Cali with mom and dad.Submitted by Jordan S. – My coming 9 year old Appaloosa, Mac, who I purchased as an unbroke 5 year old and broke myself with help from a few close friends. We havent made it into the dressage ring yet but that is my goal for this coming show season. We have done some fun shows at our current barn and he has absolutely amazed me every single time.Submitted by Katie L . – The Score Card, 16.3 hand ApHC stallion that just started his dressage training!Submitted by Amanda C. – The horse that taught me how to show, mostly eventing but also the local dressage shows, was an appy, though he lacked the spots to prove it. He taught me so much and I’m grateful every day to have had him in my life ♡Submitted by Ashley S. – Lovely gelding we bred and raised. Shown here with his owner Cheryl BrennanSubmitted by Brittany B. – Waps Roc N Roll 16.3h ApHC sport bred geldingSubmitted by Emily C. – This is Stolichnaya. My trainer Katie Bortel found and rescued him while she was in Louisiana. He was headed back to a kill pen after being tried out as a parade horse. At the time he was around 3 he is now around 19 or 20. At his prime he and Katie could do fourth level movements together and on him she achieved her bronze medal. I’m his main rider now and like to pretend he’s all mine. Here we are riding at Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy Texas.Submitted by Ashley S. – This colt came back as a gelding and won his IBC!Submitted by @tucospotty on Twitter – Always salute the judge at the end of your test!Submitted by Bella F.Submitted by Alison M. – This is Cristal, nickname Huey, who was a prelim eventer before suffering some career (no more jumping) ending injuries. He came to me needing an adult dressage amateur who wouldn’t work him too hard and would give him the semi retired life he deserved ♥️ So though he is beautifully stunningly gifted (this boy has Michael Jordan hang time 😉) he is a lower level dressage guy who shares his spacious grass pasture with his annoying younger brother (a OTTB who did not inherit his Derby winning sires speed) and is very happy. A happy Huey.Submitted by Brittany B. – ApHC sport horse Waps Infinite DanceSubmitted by Tracy L . – my fantastic 17 yr old Appaloosa: “Willy’s Native Spirit”Submitted by Annie B. – This is my daughter Addie and her Leopard Appaloosa Legend. Legend is one truly incredible horse. He loves his little girl so much!! They are quite the dressage pair. They are learning so much together and having the best time while doing it!! Thank you for posting pictures of Appaloosas!!
I have loved this month’s spotlight on the Appaloosa! Looking forward to March~