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 Heritage, the origin of the Appaloosa. Remembering the Indian legacy of the Néz Percé.
The Appaloosa is the only real “Indian Pony”. Yes, other tribes bred ponies too, but they did not care for quality like the Néz Percé.
Appaloosa – A Palouse Horse – a horse, coming from the Palouse River. This horse got more and more admireres among trappers and settlers.
The Appaloossa is an enduring, quick and couragous horse. Beside this it is tough, frugal and surefooted. The Néz Percé selected their horses looking to these attributes and have stallions, not matching these criterions, gelded.
Pow wows are the yearly celebrations and festivities among the Red Indian People. They decorate their horses and wear beautifully stiched robes.
The outfit is handcrafted by the Indian ladies (never use the word “squaw”, it is very disparaging). Imagine the work with the smallest glass-beads (seedbeads), measuring 1mm diameter. Ponybeads are lightly bigger: 1,5mm.
My robe shows an embroidery with crow-beads (appr 5mm). I found it in an old book. The original has been collected by Rev. Spalding in 1848.
Abalony shells, kauri shells, ermine tails, turquoises, tin cones with colored horse hair, small bells, porcupine bristles……are further parts of a Red Indians festive robe. Everything, to enhance and beautify a simple robe, has been in use. The ApHC is, beside the POA, the only horse breeder association, offering “Heritage” as an own class. The outfit should be as authentic as possible. This is very difficult here in Europe, so your phantasy is asked too.
An important fact is, that you can explain the judge the origin of the outfit and what it shows.
Ladies and gentlemen participate in different classes. The horses are shown in a flat walk and jog. The riders show their horses an both hands and line up in the middle.They are asked by the judges about their costumes.
I have learned, the American Judges met us “German Indian Ladies” very kind and friendly.
 "Nez Perce Crossing" von Roger Cooke
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