The Time to Ride Challenge, a grassroots competition offering $100,000 cash and prizes to stables, clubs, and businesses that introduce new people to horses, has reached 20,107 people as of Wednesday, August 26th, marking a 31% increase over this point in 2014. The Challenge began May 30th and continues through September 30th nationwide.
More people - More Horses - More Enjoyment
The Time to Ride Challenge, a grassroots competition offering $100,000 cash and prizes to stables, clubs, and businesses that introduce new people to horses, continues through September 30th nationwide and has reached 20,107, marking a 31% increase over this point in 2014.
Preliminary survey results show that the typical event attendee has ridden or interacted with a horse one to three times in the past three years, indicating they are interested but not regularly involved with horses. âNewcomersâ enjoy a fun, safe, entry-level horse experience and, following the event, are provided with further opportunities to take riding lessons, attend events, and otherwise become more involved in the horse industry.
Challenge Hosts providing the horse experiences are often riding stables and instructors, but also include clubs such as 4-H and regional organizations, therapeutic riding stables, rescues, camps, retail stores, and veterinarians.
âWe are thrilled with these preliminary numbers in the 2015 Challenge,â stated Patti Colbert, Time to Ride spokesperson. âItâs a 31% increase over this same point in the 2014 Challenge! Weâre truly proud of the stables and providers who are working so hard to share their horses with new people, grow their businesses, and welcome new participation in our industry.â
Free, public horse events are taking place through September 30th. Time to Ride encourages horse owners and riders to spread the word to their friends who are interested in finding a stable nearby. A public event listing is available at www.timetoride.com. To see photos from Challenge events, please click here.
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, SmartPak, 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.
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.