As you all probably know from my previous posts I bought my first appy from billywhiz in feb this year.
Until I bought Woody I had been a complete Welshie fanatic but Woody has converted me and I don't think I would have anything but an appy.

There isn't a huge amount of ApHCUK events around Kent area and so I have been speaking to quite a few english showing judges around the area about appy's.
I have been really surprised by the responses....."urmmmm.....don't see many......not well placed inhand", etc, etc. Some judges have even commented that they are highly strung, hot headed and a bit of a handful (obviously they have never owned a pure bred!)

Everyone comments on what a fantastic nature Woody has and how striking he is to look at. He has fantastic breeding (Exbury). Why are they such a No No and misunderstood in the english showing circuit?

Is this just the rather annoying attitude of 'don't know anything about them so i'll place something I do know'?

IS THERE ANY OTHER VERY FRUSTRATED APPY OWNERS OUT THERE?????

probably just my time of the month and letting off steam!

Hey mate,

welcome to the wonderful world of appaloosa ownership!!

The bad press comes from the high mixed tb et al percentage in some of the british bred apps - not having a go at BApS breeding, just stating the facts:

There are judges who will judge for conformation over colour, so if your app is well put together, then you should be right. Apps in 'Search for a Star' at HOYS last 3 years (including Patrick Naughty Horse - for those who know the breed legends!!)

Lavender - my avatar - was always well placed in open company and we registered her Sport Horse GB as a result - she never placed well in App classes though as she wasn't spotted enough - or perhaps it was just I was on the other end of the lead rope

Give me a shout sometime about shows and what you are considering entering and I can give you a heads up on what you might call appaloosa savvy judges! Keep an eye on the BApS website too, they are trying to make strides in getting more and more open classes at mixed shows.

Jude.

Think a lot of it is down to the judge's personal perception and experiences - so if the judge has come across good minded appys that have performed well, he/she will be better disposed to them. We're all a bit guilty of this - there's a common prejudice against arabs for example, yet the two that I've had close contact with have been kind, willing to learn (one started jumping aged 18) and among the nicest hacks I've ever sat on.
But if you're showing in English classes with any western breed I think it's important to adhere to English standards for way of going and turnout.
We showed our previous QH in hack and side saddle classes and she was always fully plaited and her tail trimmed a bit shorter than ideal for western. She was ridden in an english outline and made to trot and canter rather than jog and lope and I think it made all the difference.
In 'coloured' type classes the horse can be a bit more au naturel but it is important to 'fit in' and then when you've got your red rosette you can tell your horse's many admirers what a great western horse he is too!

Completely agree with the advice you have been given so far.

For english classes you have to look beyond his colour. Look at what stamp of horse he is, hunter, riding horse, cob, hack etc.Then show him in that class as that type, with the correct tack and presentation.Good turnout gets you placed!good manners, makes sure you stay there.

Our appy, excelled at our local shows as a riding horse, riding club horse, both inhand and ridden.because of her manners and her movement.looking at photos of her now if i allowed her to arry a bit more weight she would have been a nice lightweight cob!


If your boy has manners and the conformation, he will do fine under most judges.The most important thing is not to be discouraged if a few judges dont like him!

I must admit there is a lot of anti appy, people out there. But not as many as you may think, people generally recognise a good horse and see beyond the colour.Our local riding club has now a good few appys, since we had ours.I would like to think she influenced these people in supporting the breed.

Good luck and dont be discourged, by other people,you will only know by going out and doing.

I think you have been converted to appys, because, they too have lots of pony characteristics! Would nt you agree.That tenacity, cheek and brains!

Post edited by: appynospots, at: 2008/07/08 12:07

Well l show my appies- under all! In open shows- BApS shows- stressge them- you name it - l do it!
So far in my 10yrs of showing them- have never come across a "appie racist" if for a better word!
I have a FULL AMERICAN 100% FPD stallion- have shown him ENGLISH style in hand in a coloured class- and WON!
Have shown my part bred App/welsh over the last 10yrs english/western in-hand and English ridden. Have won literally EVERYTHING not only at breed shows- but at mixed open shows- including.a-hem Handsome horse class(numerous times!) He is leopard (as is my stallion)and quite honestley l dont give a monkeys when l take him into coloured- or ridden classes- l hold my head up- look TOTALLY out of place amoungest the standard bays etc- but my boys have grand comfirmation and l show them with pride! (But if they were crap- then l wouldnt show em would l )
Jude is right- BApS are out in earnest to get appie classes ALL OVER England- your not alone........a lot of shows simply dont put appie classes on due to the poor entries recieved- but with a bit of luck(and if lve got out to do with it) were out in force to PROMOTE the Appie!
My girls too(snowcap blanket & few spot) go out and get noticed too- and win!
So dont get downhearted- get your appie out- show em your as good as the others- and belive in yourself & your horse!
I did...and got the trophies to prove it!!!!!!!!!

Post edited by: Atira, at: 2008/07/10 22:13

Well wasnt everyone the same when coloured horses started getting popular? and what does everyone love now...coloureds

You always get people that dont like the appaloosa my boss has afab story about when she took our old appy stallion to the BYEH championships, but they all pretty much shut up when they saw how talented he was.

When your taking your horse out you have to ignore what people think, are you taking him out for fun, and to educate your little guy or to try and win everything, srley as long as you enjoy taking him out thats all that matters, some judges will like them some wont, i had one judge that thought my horse was dirty cause she had varnish makrs.

appys have a bad rep with a lot of people becasue of the odd one you meet, its like any horse, they meet a bargy cob, all cobs are like that, they meet a pshycho TB they're all like that etc, you've just not to get upset and shrug it off to peoples ignorance.