The Idaho Senate has voted unanimously to pass a bill creating a license plate honoring Idaho’s colorful state horse, the Appaloosa. 

This bill is the result of months of hard work on the part of the ApHC Marketing Department and Representative Tom Trail of Moscow, Idaho, the bill’s sponsor. 

Appaloosa enthusiasts in Idaho also played a big part as well. Many showed their support by contacting their legislators with letters, faxes and e-mails. According to Representative Trail, legislators were overwhelmed by the number of letters they received in support of the bill. The number of letters written in support of the Appaloosa license plate far exceeded the number of letters received for any recent license plate bill. 

The results of the final vote came as a relief to ApHC staff members, who had been anxiously awaiting the news. Legislators do not always view special license plates favorably, making the Senate’s unanimous vote an especially sweet victory.  

Plans are underway for a ceremony in which Governor Dirk Kempthorne will sign the bill at the Appaloosa Museum & Heritage Center in Moscow, Idaho. 

Proceeds from the sale of the license plates will benefit youth horse programs throughout the state. Plates will be available for sale in January 2003.  

Agile, intelligent and distinctively colorful, Appaloosas date back 20,000 years and were made famous in the Northwest by the Nez Perce Indians. Named for the Palouse region of Northern Idaho, Appaloosas excel in a variety of events and are beloved around the world for their even temperaments and reliability. Since 1938, the Appaloosa Horse Club has served as the international breed registry and remains dedicated to the preservation and promotion of this versatile breed.