E. F. Bud Alderson

One of the farmers who lives on a country lane in Sharpsville, Indiana, never intended to have more than four or five horses.  Somehow, nearly 65 years later, E. F. “Bud” Alderson was knee-deep in them.

Alderson was born in 1922.  Growing up, he took care of many animals and showed draft horses in 4-H.  He bought his first Quarter Horse around 1940 and sported a reputation as a match-race jockey, Roman rider, all-around cowboy and could sit on an English saddle for jumping.

Alderson judged for 45 years throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and South America.  His credits include officiating at the All American Quarter Horse Congress and the AQHA and AQHYA World Championship shows.  He was later appointed to the committee that developed the rules for AQHA’s amateur division in 1985.  He served as the first amateur committee chair, and helped implement AQHA’s hunter under saddle class.  Alderson became an AQHA Honorary Vice President in 1986, and received AQHA’s 50-year breeder award in 2003.

Alderson’s contribution to the Quarter Horse industry went beyond serving on AQHA committees.  He and his wife organized dozens of clinics, giving both youth and adults a chance to gain more knowledge and enjoyment of their horses.  They also hosted countless 4-H clinics and college judging teams.

Alderson helped establish the Indiana Quarter Horse Futurity and the Indiana Quarter Horse Association in 1955, and was a past president of the Indiana Quarter Horse Association.  In 1988, he was inducted into the Agriculture Hall of Fame at Purdue University.

Alderson became an AQHA judge in 1961.  Determined to have an input in the Association, he was appointed to the show and contest committee, holding one of the longest seats on an AQHA committee – 24 years.

Alderson was inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame in 2004.  He died at age 91 in 2013.

Biography updated as of March 2004.