Twenty âHostâ stables that submitted plans to produce events reaching out to newcomers from January to April 1, 2015, will receive grants from Time to Ride. This is another example of how the American horse industryâs Time to Ride marketing program supports stables, businesses and organizations in an attempt to connect new enthusiasts to horses.
Time to Ride connecting people and horses
20 Hosts representing 15 states submitted plans that included events at elementary schools, equine veterinary clinics, rodeo events and more inviting families, students, Girl Scouts, rodeos attendees and the public to connect with horses.
The 20 Hosts representing 15 states submitted plans that included events at elementary schools, equine veterinary clinics, rodeo events and more. The events invite families, students, Girl Scouts, rodeos attendees and the public to connect with horses. Hosts will be awarded between $250 and $500 following the successful completion of their event.
âStables, clubs, feed stores and vet clinics are portals to horse involvement,â states David Foley, Marketing Alliance Member and Executive Director of the American Association of Equine Practitioners. âWe have found that by providing financial incentives and marketing assistance to hard-working hosts that want to grow their businesses or organizations, the entire industry benefits from the investment.â
The grant program complements the Time to Ride Challenge in Time to Rideâs portfolio of programs offered to equine industry Hosts, and will continue in the fall of 2015. In 2014 the Alliance created the 100 Day Horse Challenge, which provided $100,000 in cash and prizes to stables, organizations and businesses that hosted events catering to beginner horse enthusiasts.
More than 700 hosts signed up to deliver events in 49 different states. Participating hosts provided first-time horse experiences to more than 25,000 newcomers over the 100-day period. From âprincess pony partiesâ to stable open houses, hosts provided fun horse experiences and collected newcomersâ contact information. Newcomers received free equestrian e-books and encouragement to revisit local equine facilities.
Time to Ride programs such as the Challenge are already reaping rewards for participants. Jody Halladay, owner of 16 Acres Equine Educational Complex of Union Grove, WI, and winner of $10,000 in the small division, knows that Time to Ride 100 Day Challenge grew her business.
âThe Challenge made me look for new opportunities right in my hometown. People right in my neighborhood didnât know we were there, so I learned how to step outside of the horse world to make new connections in my community.â Halladay applied for and received a grant for an additional newcomer event at her facility, and reports several new clients as a result of the new Time to Ride programs.
In addition to the grant program and Challenge, Time to Ride provides free marketing resources to those interested in welcoming newcomers to their business and the horse industry. To become involved or learn more, please visit www.timetoride.com or contact info@timetoride.com.
The American Horse Councilâs Marketing Alliance
Time to Ride is an initiative of American horse industry leaders formed to connect people with horses. It is designed to encourage horse interested consumers to enjoy the benefits of horse activities.
Facilitated by the American Horse Council, the 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 Absorbine, the American Paint Horse Association, Morris Media Network Equine Group, the National Cutting Horse Association, the National Reining Horse Association, and Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital.