Known by horse enthusiasts for its distinctive speckled markings and rich history, the Appaloosa is seen as more than just a horse of a different color.

The Louisiana State Appaloosa Club came the SugArena on New Iberia to celebrate the horse breed on Saturday afternoon with the “Too Hot to Handle” horse show.

The organization began three years ago and is comprised of about 125 members throughout Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas, member Ken Wagley said.

Melanie Wagley of Church Point pets her horse KW Mighty Contender at the SugAena Saturday afternoon. The horse won first place in the Open Aged Gending competition. He is 10 years old. - Jessica Goff / The Daily Iberian Advertisement

He and his wife, Melanie, own Diamond W. Appaloosa Farm in Church Point. He said he has always had a love for the spotted horses and has been raising breed for more than 20 years.

“I’ve always been an Indian pony type of guy,” he said.

The horses are known not only for they unique coat, he said, but also for their speed and endurance.

“Indians rode them for a reason,” he said. “You have to remember, they were used to hunt down buffalo.”

Club organizer Jeannine Prather said about 30 horses competed in Saturday’s all ages show, which drew about 100 local specters.

The competitions rang-ed from barrel and pole racing to halter competitions. She said the club puts on two shows a year, the next will be Oct. 9 in Monroe.

Wagley said the club has been trying to get more youth involved in equestrian activities because they believe it can be a deterrent to criminal activity.

One of the event’s top riders was 10-year-old Elizabeth Gilmore of Bourg. She came second place in halter competition and first place in showmanship with her 2-year-old Appaloosa “Scooter.”

“I had a lot of fun,” she said. “I won a lot and it went so fast I didn’t have to wear chaps.”

The club’s mission is to preserve the breed which Prather said has a substantial history.

“The Appaloosa horse is a very unique and versatile breed with a long, long history,” she said. “There have been cave drawings found in ancient China of Appaloosas.”

She said the horses became vastly popular in the U.S. in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Wagley said he hopes the shows will encourage more people to join the club or simply become more acquainted with fellow equestrian enthusiasts.

“Horse people are good people,” he said.