Newsdate: Wed 07 September 2016 – 6:30 am
Location: WASHINGTON, DC

On Thursday, September 1st, Time to Ride launched its Pledge to Take a Friend Riding sweepstakes aimed at encouraging horse owners and riders introduce non-rider friends to horseback riding. Celebrities from all corners of the horse world have teamed up with Time to Ride by taking the pledge, including Lyle Lovett, D. Wayne Lukas, Al Dunning, David O’Connor, Lindy Burch, Lynn Palm, Tom McCutcheon, Sandy Collier, Audrey Griffin, Barbra Schulte, Kerry Kuhn, and Tootie Bland.

More people - More Horses - More Enjoyment

Grammy Award winner, Olympian, and Eclipse Award winner among celebs who pledge to introduce friends to equestrian sports with Time to Ride Pledge to Take a Friend Riding sweepstakes.

Also taking the Pledge is Luke Pell, recent star of ABC’s The Bachelorette who is a singer/songwriter, West Point alumnus, Army veteran, and former AQHA and NRHA competitor. “Riding is something that makes me happy; it’s where I’ve had some of the best friendships develop. It’s something I’ll always come back to,” said Pell of his support for the pledge effort.

Legendary horse industry leader and performance horse trainer Al Dunning shared his viewpoint: “Introducing new people to riding means more people will enjoy our horses, our sport, and make for a healthy future of the horse industry.”

The “Pledge to Take a Friend Riding” sweepstakes takes place through September 30, 2016 and will award one grand prize of an all-inclusive, three-night vacation at luxury dude ranch, the Resort at Paws Up in Greenough, Montana. Riders may enter by simply taking the pledge to take a friend riding at www.timetoride.com/pledge.*

Time to Ride welcomes all horse enthusiasts to take the pledge and support its goal of introducing a new group of riders to the benefits of horseback riding. All breed, discipline, regional, and other groups are invited to share the pledge among their networks to boost every corner of the horse industry!

To view photos of the celebrity riders riding with friends, access the photo album on Time to Ride’s Facebook page. Riders are also invited to use the tag #TTRPledge to share fun photos of friends’ first horse experience on social media.

Time to Ride is an initiative of the American Horse Council’s Marketing Alliance designed to introduce new enthusiasts to horses and riding, and promote equestrian activities for the health and growth of the equine industry. To learn more please contact info@timetoride.com or visit www.timetoride.com.

*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 30, 2016. 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, 7^th 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: 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 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.