The Time to Ride Challenge features two new levels of cash awards in 2016, its third year. The grassroots contest that rewards stables, clubs, and businesses for introducing new people to horses, once again offers a total of $100,000 cash and prizes in addition to business-building benefits to its contestants.
The joy of interacting with a horse
$100,000 cash and prizes will be awarded to more winners than ever before when host stables, organizations, and other horse professionals hold events between June 1st and September 30th, 2016 that connect beginners with horses.
âHostâ stables, organizations, and other horse professionals will hold events between June 1st and September 30th, 2016 that connect beginners with horses; the hosts who engage the greatest number of newcomers will win cash and prizes.
The first new award level is the â100 for 100â cash prizes, which will award $100 cash to the first 100 hosts that reach 100 new horse enthusiasts. Any kind of safe, fun, beginner-friendly activity such as petting, grooming, leading, riding, or otherwise interacting with a horse is encouraged.
âThe initial goal of the Time to Ride Challenge was to activate 1,000 hosts nationwide and help each one reach 100 newcomers,â stated Christie Schulte, marketing manager. âWe want to show hosts that introducing 100 new people to horses in a summer is not only possible, but will have a hugely positive impact on their businesses.â
The second new category of awards is the Wild Card prizes, which will reward high-achieving hosts regardless of their competitive category (small, medium, or large), which is based on their size. The top ten-placing hosts in each division win cash prizes, from $10,000 to $500.
The top two hosts from any division who engage the greatest number of newcomers, but do not win a top ten cash prize, will be named Wild Card winners and win $500 and $250, respectively. This incentive is designed to reward hard-working participants who achieve great success, but happened to be in a more competitive division.
Time to Ride provides resources for hosts such as a marketing strategy toolkit, event ideas, ads, posters, creative material, and post-event tools to convert new leads into regular clients.
A national research study funded by Zoetis in 2011 determined that accessibility - the ability to find and connect with a stable - is a major barrier to horse-interested families becoming involved with riding.
A positive first-time experience with a horse professional through his or her Time to Ride Challenge event provides newcomers with the awareness, encouragement and knowledge they need to become regularly involved in riding, and active participants in the horse industry. Time to Rideâs interactive map, at www.timetoride.com, is designed to help connect families with stables, clubs, organizations, and other opportunities in their area.
âWeâre excited to offer more chances than ever to win cash in the Challenge,â concluded Schulte. âItâs truly a win-win for horse professionals - they are working to grow their businesses while earning cash and prizes!â For more information, complete rules and regulations, and to sign up for free, please visit www.timetoride.com.
The American Horse Councilâs Marketing Alliance
Time to Ride is an initiative of the American Horse Councilâs 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, Morris Media Network Equine Group, Purina Animal Nutrition LLC, Platinum Performance, United States Equestrian Federation, and Zoetis. Program Partners are Absorbine, the American Paint Horse Association, Equibrand, the National Cutting Horse Association, the National Reining Horse Association, Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, and the Texas A&M University Equine Initiative, Lumina Media, Pyranha, the Americaâs Mustang Campaign, and Colorado State University Equine Sciences Program.
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 AHCâs 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.