Amarillo, Texas - January 1, 2004 - The American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) today announced that longtime AQHA Judge Alex Ross will join the organization as Executive Director of Judges. Ross, who will bring more than three decades of service and leadership in the equine industry to AQHA, begins February 1.

A native of Greensboro, North Carolina and third generation horseman, Ross has had a lifelong involvement with American Quarter Horses. His grandfather, Will Ross, began Wilross Farm in 1925. In 1940, he passed down ownership of the farm to Alex's father, Calvin Ross, who also was an AQHA Director and Judge. Ownership of the farm was later passed to Alex and his siblings. Since 1969, he has been the owner and operator of Alex Ross Quarter Horses, a training, breeding and sales facility in Greensboro.

As executive director of judges, Ross will report directly to AQHA's Executive Vice President and manage the entire judges department and program for the Association. Ross also will oversee a comprehensive renovation of the industry's judging system in which numerous areas will be improved.

"Last January, the executive committee, along with Bill Brewer met to discuss long-range strategies for the Association," said AQHA President Steve Stevens. "One of the important objectives resulting from that meeting was to enhance the quality of judging at AQHA shows. We believe that our judges must be properly educated, monitored and evaluated, held accountable for their performance, and above all, of the highest integrity. With the hiring of Alex Ross, AQHA has taken a giant step in achieving these goals."

With additional funding earmarked by AQHA's Executive Committee, the judges department will immediately inaugurate an enhanced education program, designed to better train judges in all AQHA classes. The education program will include the development of better videos and more hands-on workshops to support judges.

Secondly, Ross will oversee the development of a monitoring system to assist judges in performing their duties in accordance with AQHA rules. The monitoring system also will help judges become more proficient in all areas of the American Quarter Horse show industry.

"We're facing some challenges in our judging system today," said Ross. "Not only in terms of education and monitoring, but also in terms of the number of judges available to show management and the need to provide feedback to judges. These are just some of the concerns we have today that must be addressed for our future.

"We have talked about enhancing our judges program for several years, and by taking on this role, I'm proud to be able to give something back to an industry that has been so good to my family and me. Over the years I have had the opportunity to be a part of many committees and task forces with AQHA. Through this, I have seen, firsthand, how the Association works, in a democratic process to benefit AQHA members. The executive committee, committee members and the staff are dedicated to keeping AQHA the number one breed registry in the world, and I am excited to be a part of that ongoing process."

"As executive director of judges, Alex will have the responsibility for establishing policies and procedures for new and better programs that will be the best in the industry," said Stevens. "Given his background as an exhibitor, judge, judges committee chair, combined with his unquestioned integrity, I cannot think of a person more qualified for this job than Alex Ross. In discussing this career change with Alex, it became apparent that Alex felt an obligation to give back to his industry. He feels strongly about making a difference in the show segment of our Association, and we appreciate that attitude and are very, very pleased to make this announcement."

Ross, 53, became an AQHA Judge in 1976. He became an AQHA National Director in 1985 representing his home state of North Carolina. Honored as AQHA's Professional Horseman of the Year for 1998, Ross has judged AQHA's World Championship Show twice (1990 and 2000). He also has judged the American Quarter Horse Youth Association World Championship Show twice (1987 and 1990). Ross also has judged on the international scene, officiating at shows in Europe, New Zealand and Australia, and he holds judges credentials with the National Snaffle Bit Association.

In addition to his service to AQHA, Ross served the horse industry by helping organize and write rules for the Special Olympics Equestrian Sports Program.

As an exhibitor, Ross earned a World Championship honor in 1987 in Jr. Western Pleasure with RD Speed Stick. He also has numerous World Show Top 10 finishes to his credit.

Ross has been an active on various AQHA Committees. He served on AQHA's Show Committee, has been chair of AQHA's Judges Committee since 2001 and served on AQHA's Hall of Fame Selection Committee. Ross also served as president of the North Carolina Quarter Horse Association in 1984 and 1989, and was instrumental in starting the NCQHA Breeders Futurity.

Recently, Ross teamed with AQHA Judge and Professional Horseman Dale Livingston to help institute changes in western pleasure classes. Ross and Livingston produced a video to instruct other judges, trainers and owners on the discipline and to advance changes in the way horses were exhibited in western pleasure classes. That video is distributed through AQHA.

Ross and his wife of nearly 27 years, Courtney, have two children. Their son Will (24) is in dental school at Tufts Dental School in Boston and their daughter Emily (21) is a junior attending the University of Georgia studying public relations.