Appaloosa News Monthly – May 2022

Appaloosa Heritage

To continue learning about the pieces of the regalia, Jaimee has joined a Facebook group of women who show in the Heritage class across the country. This group has recommended books to read to ensure that pieces are historically correct. “I also make sure that I read and reference educational materials published by the tribal groups to make sure my information is accurate,” Jaimee adds.

The two key elements of this class:

1. Be authentic.

2. Make sure your horse is agreeable to the accessories.

Favorite Regalia

When asked about her favorite piece, Jaimee elaborated on the horse necklace, or martingale. 

“They are the beaded breast plate you see on many of the horses presented in the class. Historically they represented a man’s success as a warrior. The more elaborate the beading, the more successful the warrior. The horse necklaces are also used to show the importance of the horse to the rider. The Plains Tribes relied on their horses for so much, and this was, and still is, a way to show how important their mount is to them. It can be a very personal meaning behind each picture or design you see on the necklace.” 

She is currently working on creating her own horse necklace.  It has taken her over 6 months to bead the main image for the center and it continues to be a work in progress. 

Her second favorite piece is her quirt which is, essentially, a crop. 

“My quirt is made from a deer antler from my father’s antler shed collection I inherited after he passed away. I hand burned the design into it and learned how to do the leather work to make the strap and the handle.”

Jaimee opines, “There are two key elements to the class. The first is to be as authentic as you can be to the era of Appaloosa history that you have chosen to represent. An exhibitor needs to know the history well and the reasoning behind all of the pieces of the costume. The second element is critical: your horse must be willing to cooperate with all of the trappings you are asking them to wear.”

Jaimee’s horse loves his costume and likes to hear the jingle bells when he jogs around. “I think it’s one of his favorite classes.”