Following the success of the 100 Day Horse Challenge, Time to Ride developed a new Event Grant Program to support the horse industry’s efforts to engage new enthusiasts with horses. Stables, businesses, and organizations who were registered for the Challenge in 2014 are invited to apply for a grant worth up to $500 to offset the cost of a newcomer-friendly event.
Engaging new enthusiasts with horses
The Time to Ride Event Grant Program offers stables, businesses, and organizations an additional incentive to connect new people to horses.
During the Challenge, hosts held an average of 6-7 events each, reaching over 25,000 newcomers. Fun, safe, and accessible events from stable open houses and demonstrations, to stick-horse races and “pony painting,” resulted in 92% of newcomers expressing an interest in returning to the host stable.
“We discovered that these entry-level events really do encourage horse-interested families to take the next steps towards being involved in horse activities,” stated Patti Colbert, Time to Ride spokesperson. “The Grant Program gives these hardworking hosts support to continue their outreach efforts in a non-competitive format.”
Hosts who focused their time and effort on newcomer outreach events are reaping the rewards. Corvin Performance Horses of Canyon, Texas reported six new lesson students who signed up the week after attending a Challenge event.
The program is open to any host that was registered in the Challenge. Time to Ride will review all applications and provide grants to applicants that it feels have proposed events that will offer new or unique equine experiences, provide the broadest appeal, and will deliver the most enjoyment for newcomers.
The number of newcomers the host expects to involve will also be a consideration. Grants are made possible by new Program Partner organizations the American Paint Horse Association, Morris Media Network Equine Group, National Reining Horse Association, and Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital. Rules and application are available at www.timetoride.com and applications will be accepted through December 31, 2014.
The American Horse Council’s Marketing Alliance
Time to Ride is an initiative of the American Horse Council’s marketing alliance, formed to connect people with horses. It is designed to encourage horse interested consumers to enjoy the benefits of horse activities.
The AHC marketing alliance is made up of the following organizations: the American Association of Equine Practitioners, Active Interest Media, the American Quarter Horse Association, Dover Saddlery, Farnam, Merck, Merial, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Purina Animal Nutrition LLC, Platinum Performance, SmartPak, United States Equestrian Federation, and Zoetis. Program Partners are the American Paint Horse Association, Morris Media Network Equine Group, National Reining Horse Association, and Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital.
About the American Horse Council
The American Horse Council is a non-profit organization that includes all segments of the horse industry. While its primary mission is to represent the industry before Congress and the federal regulatory agencies in Washington, DC, it also undertakes national initiatives for the horse industry. Time to Ride, the AHC’s marketing alliance to connect horses and people, is such an effort.
The American Horse Council hopes that Time to Ride will encourage people and businesses to participate in the industry, enjoy our horses, and support our equine activities and events. The AHC believes a healthy horse industry contributes to the health of Americans and America in many ways.