The greatest pregame tradition in college athletics occurs right here in Tallahassee when Osceola and Renegade, an Appaloosa horse, rear up at midfield and plant a burning spear into the 50-yard line of Bobby Bowden Field. It would be hard to find someone better to ask about the Appaloosa than Bill Durham, a long-time Tallahassee businessman, who created the Osceola and Renegade tradition back in 1978 with the help of Ann and Bobby Bowden and Seminole Tribe of Florida Chairman Howard Tommy. Bill’s son Allen, a former Osceola rider, now runs the Osceola-Renegade Tradition and maintains a vital connection with the Seminole Tribe. “My son, Allen, and I keep a wonderful relationship with the Tribe,” Bill said. Durham’s choice of the Appaloosa was intentional. “I chose the Appaloosa because it is really the only breed of horse that is attributed to being saved by the Native Americans,” Durham said, “particularly Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce tribe.”
In 1877, one hundred and one years before Renegade appeared in Doak, the Nimiipuu (Nez Perce) were at war with the U.S. Cavalry. To preserve their freedom and the lives of their Appaloosas, Chief Joseph’s tribe drove thousands of Appaloosas into Canada and out of harm’s way before being overwhelmed by the cavalry. The threat of extinction of their horses may have been real to the Nez Perce, as according to an article in the Smithsonian, fossil evidence of horses in the Americas mostly stops about 10,000 years ago. The Spanish settlers to Mexico reintroduced the horse to the Americas in 1519. Per new research, it was the Indigenous peoples who brought the horses north from Mexico.
As we honor the Seminole Tribe with an Appaloosa here in Tallahassee, the State of Idaho honors the Appaloosa as the state horse. Also, one hundred or so riders saddle up each year to retrace the steps of the Nez Perce and their Appaloosas on the Chief Joseph Trail Ride. The 1,300-mile trail retraces the path of the Nez Perce through the states of Washington, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana and into Canada.
Durham says what distinguishes the Appaloosa breed is the white covering of the eye, called the sclera, which surrounds the iris, striped hooves, and mottled skin. Many Appaloosas are “spotted” but not all, according to Durham. “The primary feature is the spots, but you can have an Appaloosa that is a solid color,” he said. “We tend to use the leopard Appaloosa, but we have had a frosted Appaloosa—which is a mix of vanilla and chocolate—and have looked at Appaloosas with what we call freckles.”
Horses are measured from the ground to the withers, where the neck meets the body of the horse. Equestrians measure horses in “hands”—an ancient unit of measure equal to 4 inches, the average width of a human hand. Durham’s ideal Appaloosa stands at 15 hands (or 60 inches with one hand equaling four inches). In terms of weight, Durham has never weighed the twenty horses he has had in the Renegade program, which enters its 47th season in 2025, but estimates their weight to be 1,000 to 1,200 pounds.
“The Native Americans bred them smaller than the breed we see today,” Durham noted, “The characteristics they liked was they were sure footed, as they lived in a mountainous region, and they are fast (up to 35 mph).” Sure-footed is an important safety feature, as Renegade must navigate the chaotic atmosphere of Doak Campbell Stadium.
“Game day is carefully organized for safety, as we don’t want any fans, players, riders or the horse hurt,” Durham mentioned. “When we first started the program, we didn’t have the fireworks, the jumbotron, the flashing lights…” He also mentioned how they see all the bugs at night. Not every horse can adjust to that environment. “We have appreciated their intelligence, which helps us get them acclimated to that environment, an environment that is hard to duplicate at practice,” Durham said.
It is no wonder why these remarkable horses were chosen to represent the Florida State University Seminoles. From charging into battle to claiming territory on a football field, Appaloosa horses have a rich history. We hope this glimpse into history gives you a greater appreciation and admiration for our beloved Renegade and all he symbolizes. 
Jerry Kutz
The Osceola
