GoHorseShow tracked down a classic photo of the now AQHA Senior Director of Judges, Alex Ross in english attire. The year was 1979, and he showed his client, Robin Matthew’s all-around horse, No Blarney at the North Carolina Jamboree.
Yes, that’s AQHA World Champion trainer, Alex Ross who is known for his talents in the western pleasure and western riding classes. Who knew that back in the day he also had talents in the jumping arena?
The picture shows the first and last time Ross ever dressed up and showed in english classes including the working hunter and jumping classes. We were lucky enough to find the only evidence of Ross competing in these events, and we would like to thank him for giving us permission to share this photo with our readers.
According to Matthews, Ross was up for the circuit all-around horse and decided at the last minute to show in working hunter and jumping for points.
“It was Robin’s idea and she finally persuaded me to show in the fence classes,” Ross recalls. “She borrowed the clothes from Ken Backhaus and one other person. I am not sure we had hunter hack back then, but I showed, and won, in both the working hunter and jumping.”
Matthews who is from Mount Pleasant, North Carolina adds, “It was a lot of fun. He ended up winning the all around horse for the circuit.”
We would like to thank Mr. Ross for being a good sport and Robin Matthews for tracking down the photo for us!
