The original ApHC articles of incorporation were signed by founders Claude and Faye Thompson, Dr. Francis Haines, Ernest Kuck and Frank Dick in December 1938.
George Hatley of Moscow, Idaho, who joined the organization in 1942, offered in 1946 to create a newsletter for the ApHC's members.
By 1948 the ApHC had 296 registered horses, ranking ninth in annual registrations among light-horse breeds.
The only exception to the bloodline requirements is in the case of Appaloosa colored geldings or spayed mares with unknown pedigrees; owners may apply for "hardship registration" for these non-breeding horses.
All funds (minus a five percent administrative charge) are maintained in a separate account and subsequently distributed back to the horse owners, in direct proportion to ApHC-sanctioned points earned by the foals.
Breeders' Trust gives 85 percent of paid monies in 5 equal parts for five age categories: Yearlings, Two-year-olds, Three-year-olds, Four-year-olds and Five-year-olds.
The Nez Perce raced their Appaloosa horses at distances from a few hundred yards to twelve miles (19 km).
[5] The Missouri Appaloosa Association, an early regional club, hosted the breed's first-ever futurity at the Missouri State Fair in 1960, and in December of that year, the ApHC Board of Directors passed a resolution creating the Racing Committee of the ApHC.
Appaloosa races are now held in ten states, with Oklahoma, California, and Idaho topping the list.
The Appaloosa Race Hall of Fame was formed in 1988, inducting eight racehorses and eight influential horsemen.