Colorado State University Equine Science clubs have an important goal this fall semester: growing the local equestrian community. Five clubs and one class have planned beginner-friendly events geared towards introducing new people to horse activities. The club that is most successful at doing so can win prize money in the collegiate contest, which is inspired by the national Time to Ride Challenge.
Introducing the joy of horses to new riders
Inspired by the national Time to Ride Challenge, CSU Equine Science clubs are competing to grow the local equestrian community with events that introduce new people to horse activities and success means winning prize money in the collegiate contest.
The competing clubs are: Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies Club, Mountain Riders Club, English Riding Club, Rodeo Club, and Colorado State Horsemenâs Association. Clubs plan to host events individually, and culminate with a final large event organized by the Equine Event Management Class with help from every club.
For example, the English Riding Club is planning an event with multiple booths including a farrier section with different types of shoes and horse shoe painting crafts that kids can take home; a horseless horse show with jumps and stick horses; a grooming station; pony painting; breed, color, and markings education; and more. Another event will provide a Girl Scout troop the opportunity to earn horsemanship badges.
Events will take place throughout October and November at the CSU Equine Center. Students are looking forward to connecting with kids and families in the Fort Collins, Colorado community with horses and making an impact through educational and fun experiences.
The first ever Collegiate Challenge based on the national Time to Ride Challenge was held by Texas A&M Universityâs Equine Initiative in March 2016. Both TAMU and CSU are Program Partners of the American Horse Councilâs Marketing Alliance.
Time to Ride is expanding its partnerships with university equine science programs, which benefits not only the local families who are exposed to horses, but also the equine science students, who gain hands-on experience in event planning, customer service, and newcomer outreach in the industry in which they will soon be working.
For more information, please contact info@timetoride.com or follow CSU Equine Sciences on Facebook.
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 Inc., 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.