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Appy Costume Showdown 2025

  • Writer: Heather Udy
    Heather Udy
  • Oct 11
  • 2 min read

Updated: 6 days ago


This year ApHANZ is blending Halloween with the traditional Costume Class for an online ​photo showdown bringing fun and frivolity to all Appaloosa lovers​!


Whether you're a seasoned competitor or just love dressing ​up, this is your chance to​ demonstrate your creativity​ and horsemanship while promoting our Appaloosa community.


  •  FREE to enter

  •  Open to ALL ​NZ Appaloosas (members and non-members)

  •  Mystery Appaloosa Prize Packs for the winners

  •  Pure ​fun, no travel required, just creativity and your camera

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Classes

You can enter as Horse Only OR Horse and Human together (all ages welcome):


 ​1. Heritage - Honor the Appaloosa's history. The Nez Perce were instrumental in developing the breed, making Native American regalia the traditional essence of costume classes. We also welcome depictions of Chinese emperors, European nobility, Spanish conquistadors, fur trappers, buffalo hunters, missionaries, or circus performers​ etc, with the focus on detail and appropriateness of the era​.


​ 2. Horror - Celebrate all things Halloween​. Think scary, ghoulish, spooky, skeletons, zombies, vampires, witches - anything that gives us chills and thrills.


 ​3. Character - Bring your favorite character to life​. Books, movies, TV shows, fairy​ tales, video games - if it has a character​, you can recreate it.


Plus a People's Choice Award - let the community vote for their favorite!

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Get Planning

Start thinking about your costume ideas and line up your photographer. Maybe even plan a fun Halloween photoshoot​ party


We can't wait to see the creativity you bring with your Appys!

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TERMS & CONDITIONS


Eligibility

  • Open to all New Zealand Appaloosas - registered or non-registered

  • Non-registered horses must meet ApHANZ non-studbook registry requirements (easily identified as an Appaloosa or spotted horse, carries no pinto or paint bloodlines)

  • All ages welcome for Horse and Human entries


Entry Requirements

  • Entries to be submitted between 10am Saturday 25 October - 10pm Sunday 2 November

  • All entries must be submitted via the online form

  • Photos must have been taken after 12 October 2025

  • Each horse/human combination may enter multiple classes


Photo Requirements

  • Ideal specifications - High resolution, Landscape 16:9 ratio (1920px x 1080px), 2-4MB

  • Photos that don't meet ideal specs may still be accepted

  • Natural photos only (no AI editing permitted)

  • Get creative with styling, props and locations

  • Multiple angles welcome


Judging

  • Each class will have a 1st place winner (additional placings at judge's discretion)

  • Judging criteria includes - creativity, costume execution, appropriateness to class, overall presentation, and photographic quality

  • Entries will be posted on Facebook throughout the week following close

  • Winners announced on Sunday 9 November

  • Judge's decision is final


Peoples Choice Award

  • Separate award voted on by the public via Facebook

  • Voting period open Thursday 6 November - Saturday 8 November

  • Any entry can be included (opt-in during entry)


Prizes

Mystery Appaloosa Prize Packs will be sent to winners as soon as possible after announcement


Questions

Email aphanzsecretary@outlook.com or direct message on Facebook




 
 
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