Time to Ride’s second annual Pledge to Take a Friend Riding sweepstakes will launch on National Meet a Horse Day, Saturday, July 22nd! Each initiative encourages the horse community to introduce new people to horses, and expose them to the benefits associated with horse-related activities.

Riding horses on the beach

National Meet A Horse Day combined with Time to Ride events will introduce more new people to horses than ever before.
© 2017 by Wikipedia

The best part of both of these events? The chance to win big! National Meet a Horse Day offers beginner-friendly events held by participating Time to Ride Challenge hosts - stables, clubs, and other horse professionals - across the United States.

These hosts work diligently all summer long to host events at which new people can meet horses, learn more about getting involved, and sign up for horse activities. Their efforts throughout the summer are a part of their effort to win their share of $100,000 in cash and prizes in the Time to Ride Challenge.

While the Challenge is geared toward horse professionals, the Pledge to Take a Friend Riding sweepstakes invites amateur owners, riders, and equestrians of all backgrounds across the country to join the Time to Ride movement by introducing  friends and family, who aren’t currently involved with horses, to the benefits of horse activities.

The winner of the sweepstakes will receive a Horse Crazy Trip for two to Lexington, Kentucky, including participation for one in a clinic with Dan James from Double Dan Horsemanship. To enter, simply pledge to take a friend riding.* The sweepstakes runs through September 16, 2017.

National Meet a Horse Day will celebrate and welcome new horse enthusiasts and the creation of more horse-human relationships. Horse professionals nationwide have created beginner friendly events with aspirations to introduce their local community to the benefits of interacting with horses.

The fourth Saturday in July delivers the perks associated with the height of summer- great weather, more free time for new activities, and the approaching return to school, making this an opportune time to meet horses and attend a National Meet a Horse Day event. 

“The decision to kick-off both the Pledge and National Meet a Horse Day on July 22nd came from our goal to include both Challenge hosts and the general public in the effort to increase participation in the equine community,” says Christie Schulte, Marketing Manager.

“It only makes sense to unite all of us toward the same purpose. We wanted to reward our hosts, who are doing a fantastic job in the Challenge, as well as the average equestrian looking to share their passion with their loved ones. It’s a win-win for everyone!”

Equestrian celebrities including Al Dunning are also taking the Pledge: “Introducing new people to riding means more people will enjoy our horses, our sport, and make for a healthy future of the horse industry,” says Dunning. 

Dan James voiced his support: “I love sharing horsemanship with new riders and helping them view the sport as something everyone can take part in and enjoy!”

Since 2014, the Challenge alone has introduced 100,000 new people to the benefits of horses. These newcomers are becoming the next generation of riders, owners, members, clients, and participants in the horse industry.

The Challenge runs through September 30th, and registration is free and open throughout. To learn more about the Pledge, visit www.timetoride.com/pledge. Please visit the website or contact info@timetoride.com for questions.

*No purchase necessary. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and D.C., age 18 or older. Void where prohibited. Odds of winning depend on number of entries received. Sweepstakes ends at 5:00 p.m. ET on September 16, 2017.

For full official rules and to enter, visit www.timetoride.com/pledge.  Sponsored by American Horse Council dba Time to Ride, 1616 H Street NW, 7th Floor, Washington, DC 20006.

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: American Association of Equine Practitioners, Active Interest Media, American Quarter Horse Association, Farnam, Merck, Boehringer Ingelheim, Morris Media Network Equine Group, Purina Animal Nutrition LLC, Platinum Performance, The Right Horse Initiative, US Equestrian, and Zoetis. Program Partners are Absorbine, American Paint Horse Association, ASPCA, Equibrand, National Reining Horse Association, Lumina Media, America’s 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 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.