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Mutual appreciation of the appaloosa horse breed, in 1969, led to the formation of the Appaloosa Horse Club established in Pendleton, Oregon, under the organization of local veterinarian, Dr. Frank Lieuallen; who presided as the first club president for many years. Dr. Lieuellen later moved to Hermiston, Oregon, where the club stayed until 2008.
The name of the club changed sometime after 2008 to the Oregon Trail Appaloosa Horse Club (OTAHC), and current members voted to move the club to Central Oregon where there was potential for more appaloosa activities as well as better access to arenas for horse shows and events. Edward Hounshell, Jr. represented the club after the move as President from 2007 until 2009. Successive club leadership has changed over the years from a small team of dedicated volunteers with many members serving tirelessly for many years. OTAHC also currently includes a social media presence with a website and pages for both the club and the queen.
OTAHC’s focus has always been to educate the public of the versatility of the appaloosa horse and encourage fun participation, but we gladly welcome horse enthusiasts of all ages, regardless of where they live or what breed of horse they own. Over the years, the club has organized, sponsored and partnered with other non-profit organizations to provide horse show events and trail challenges that are not only open to all riders, but also take time to recognize the appaloosa. These have included: Best in the West Horse Shows, Ranch Horse Trail Challenges, and the Silver Buckle Series. In addition, the club organizes monthly trail rides throughout the Central Oregon landscape and holds an annual overnight weekend trail ride trip.
In addition to horse-related events, club members also maintain a one-mile county road clean-up, volunteer for “Walk for the Cure” and “Heaven Can Wait” breast cancer events, members of the mounted sheriff’s posse, place flags for patriotic holidays for Redmond’s “Flag City USA,” and have donated a portion of show event proceeds to benefit “Make-A-Wish Oregon.”
The versatility of club members’ appaloosas is ever present. We have several club members that have competed in horse shows for many years at the state, regional, and national level. In addition, Marie Torrance’s, appaloosa “Marcy” was photographed for a book cover for “Woman of Courage,” a historical novel set in 1837, about a Quaker woman’s travel from New York to the Spalding Mission to minister to the Nez Perce Indians. Shawna Hoegh and her appaloosa, “Etche,” captured the “ACAAP Versatility Champion Award” in 2015 (earning Certificates of Superior Achievement in five different ACAAP categories). Carol Lukens and her daughter showed appaloosas for many years. Members Brandy Hershberger Lee, Marie Torrance, Carol Lukens, and Karen Ruybalid have all experienced the “Chief Joseph Trail Ride” with Brandy’s horse “Woody” achieving all 12 levels in 2018. Marie’s “Sunsiri” also successfully passed requirements for the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Posse, and youth members have used appaloosas for Oregon High School Equestrian Team (OHSET) events. OTAHC has also sponsored year-end club awards for both adult and youth members participating throughout the year in areas such as trail ride mileage and participating in parades; in addition to horse show categories.
OTAHC is also one of only a few clubs, if not the only regional club, that has built a consistently successful queen and princess program over the past 10 years. The queen usually has been secured through recommendations of club members, and younger princesses have either been children or grandchildren of members. Our queen’s primary goal is as an ambassador promoting the appaloosa throughout the State of Oregon. Over the years, she has participated not only in parades and rodeos, but also at breast cancer events, local quilt shows, community fairs, libraries, and other events where they reach the public in local communities with brochures, coloring books, and autograph sheets promoting the appaloosa breed. Some highlights of our queens have been the annual Sisters Rodeo Parade accompanied by all the club members, the Portland Rose Festival Grand Floral Parade and recognized with third place in the “queen” category, leading a rider-less horse symbolizing the "fallen soldier" for the “On Patrol Project” during a Veteran’s Day Parade, participating in a live educational exhibit featuring the appaloosa in native regalia during the Deschutes County Fair, assisting disabled youth and adults at “Rascal Rodeos,” and of course attending the numerous “sister queen” coronation events during the spring of each year. OTAHC is also proud to share that our queen also receives a small scholarship at the end of their reign to acknowledge their efforts during the year.
As with other social riding clubs, OTAHC has seen successive decreased membership over the years, but for a small club, we have twice been recognized by ApHC; one year 4th place nationally and placed 2nd for the regional exemplary award. We are very proud of earning those credentials! We are thankful for a handful of devoted (and overworked) “appy” supporters that keep the club going while continuing the appreciation and history of the appaloosa breed in the public’s attention.
OTAHC is both blessed and thrilled to celebrate our 50th anniversary in 2019!
**Thank you to all the club members who shared and submitted information about OTAHC’s history.**
