The American Quarter Horse Heritage Center & Museum will Close to Undergo Complete Redesign

Amarillo, Texas, January 31, 2006 – The American Quarter Horse Foundation is proud to announce the transformation of the American Quarter Horse Heritage Center & Museum into an inspiring showcase to be called the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum.

The Heritage Center, including Quarter Horse Outfitters, will close February 1 to begin a year-long renovation.

Make plans to visit the grand opening of the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum in 2007 and experience state-of-the-art technology, beautiful artifacts and touching histories of your favorite equine breed and the people who made “America’s Horse.”

While the renovations take place, Quarter Horse Outfitters will continue to provide its customers with AQHA-branded gifts and western lifestyle merchandise they love through Internet and phone orders. Visit quarterhorseoutfitters.com or call (806) 376-5181 to make your next purchase. In early March, Outfitters will open a store location in Puckett Plaza shopping center in Amarillo, located at 34th and Bell Street.

Visit aqha.com/foundation or call (806) 378-5000 to learn how you can support the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum redesign and be a part of history in the making.

American Quarter Horse Heritage Center & Museum

· A project of the American Quarter Horse Foundation, the charitable and benevolent organization of the American Quarter Horse Association

· Opened in 1991 (the concept for an American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame began in 1975)

· Cost of construction was $4.2 million

· 36,500 square feet

· Showcases the history and modern activities of the American Quarter Horse, and facility offers a multitude of audio-visual and hands-on exhibits for visitors, as well as historically significant artifacts and breathtaking art

· Welcomes 20,000-30,000 visitors each year

· Hosts between 50 and 60 events each year, including functions coinciding with the AQHA Bayer Select World Championship Show each September

· Currently 122 people and 62 horses reside in the Hall of Fame. First human inductees occurred in 1982; first horses were inducted in 1989

· Also houses Quarter Horse Outfitters, official merchandiser of AQHA products and museum gifts

The New American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum

• Scheduled to open in February 2007
• Cost of construction/renovation is approximately $7.5 million
• 8,500 square feet will be added (archival, exhibit preparation and additional storage) to the original 36,500, totaling 45,000 square feet
• Will feature state-of-the-art technology to exhibit members of the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame, including touch-screen digital formats
• A new timeline will showcase Hall of Fame member contributions during the time in which they made their impact on the breed
• A new grand hall will guide visitors through the Hall of Fame
• A new theater will entertain and educate while providing a gathering place for visitors
• New bronzes will welcome visitors upon arrival
• Designer: Southwest Museum Services, Houston, Texas
• Architect: Lavin Architects, Amarillo, Texas
• General Contractor: Wiley Hicks Jr., Amarillo, Texas
• Note: Quarter Horse Outfitters will be closed only temporarily. A satellite store will open in Puckett Plaza (34th & Bell) in Amarillo beginning in early March. (Internet sales will continue. However, some shipping delays should be expected. Please visit quarterhorseoutfitters.com for details)

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