The grassroots competition is at the halfway point and already breaking records.

Washington, D.C., July 28th, 2016 – Time to Ride is proud to announce that participating hosts have scheduled a record number of events in the 2016 Challenge! The Time to Ride Challenge is a nationwide grassroots contest in which stables, clubs, and businesses across the country host events designed to introduce new people to horses with the goals of growing their businesses and creating new lifelong equestrians. The Challenge began June 1st and runs 120 days, ending on September 30th. In 2015 hosts scheduled a total of 644 events, surpassing 2014’s events by over 100. The 2016 Challenge currently has 755 events scheduled, already shattering last year’s record. With two months left in the Challenge, that number is sure to continue to grow.

Families and individuals are encouraged to find upcoming events nearby by visiting the Time to Ride website and map. Each Challenge Host has its own unique events, ensuring there are horse activities planned to fit a variety of interests. In addition to open houses, pony meet-and-greets, and free riding days, hosts are becoming creative with their events. For example, Cooperstown Equestrian Park, located in Hartwick, NY,  is inviting equine enthusiasts to a Frozen watch party where their Norwegian Fjord horse, Apollo, will be the guest of honor.

Time to Ride Challenge Hosts compete to grow their businesses while helping people experience what a wonderful impact horses can have in their lives. Julie Harris of Centerline Dressage, located in Kerhonkson, NY, hosted an event on July 23rd and described the rewarding experience: “The joy of seeing everyone react to the horses makes it all worthwhile. Especially the little ones, when they got to be face to face with a horse their size! We are quite close to New York City so many of our tourists have not seen a live horse.” 

The 2016 Time to Ride Challenge has 216 active hosts across the nation that have already introduced nearly 7,000 individuals to horses. These first-time horse experiences will help hosts convert leads to lifetime equine enthusiasts and participants in the horse industry. To view photos from past events and National Meet-A-Horse Day, visit the Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/timetoridehorse/.

In 2016, enrollment is open throughout the Challenge. Becoming a Challenge Host is free and simple. With over 60 days remaining, there is still plenty of time for businesses to to register, host events, and grow their businesses while taking a shot at cash and prizes.

The Time to Ride Challenge continues through September 30th. To find an event, visit the map on timetoride.wpengine.com. To become a Challenge Host, visit the website and create an account to get started. For more info, please call 512-591-7811 or contact info@timetoride.com.

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.

Time to Ride Challenge Hosts are holding events across the country to bring their communities closer to horses.

Washington, D.C., July 14th, 2016 – People across the country are invited to take part in National Meet-A-Horse Day on July 23^rd, at any Time to Ride Challenge Host location. Families will be welcomed into stables, camps, clubs and organizations competing in the Time to Ride Challenge, in hope of creating new riders and lifelong equestrians. This is the third year National Meet-A-Horse Day will be celebrated and participating equine businesses are more excited than ever to share their unique, horse-centered events.

“National Meet-A-Horse Day is a great opportunity to focus on the importance of introducing brand-new enthusiasts to horses,” said Leigh-Anna Martinets, Time to Ride Program Manager. “Many of us were introduced to horses by either a family member, friend or neighbor. Horses inspire so much joy, wonder, and curiosity, and this day is all about making riding and connecting with horses more accessible in our communities. Our hosts have a great array of activities planned and are truly looking forward to sharing their horses with new people.”

National Meet-A-Horse Day coincides with National Day of the Cowboy and many hosts are using this opportunity to create events that incorporate both themes. For example, Horses4Heroes, located in Las Vegas, Nevada, will be celebrating the day with a Dress Like a Cowboy contest, panning for gold and trail rides. Though each event will be slightly different than the next, all will present a chance for a hands on experience with a horse or pony.

All horse owners and businesses who are not competing in the Challenge are welcomed to share equine experiences with friends who are new to horses. The hope is for anyone who wants to meet a horse to have the means to do so on July 23^rd.  Newcomers are encouraged to post pictures on social media of themselves at events with the hashtag, #MeetaHorse, to be entered to win a Time to Ride prize pack. The 2016 Time to Ride Challenge has 205 hosts across the nation that are eager to share their horses with the public.

National Meet-A-Horse Day takes place Saturday, July 23^rd. To find an event, visit the map on timetoride.wpengine.com.  There is still time to get involved: to host an event, visit the website and create an account to get started. For more info, please call 512-591-7811 or contact info@timetoride.com.

Alpine Animal Hospital’s 2015 event

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 NationalReining Horse Association, Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, and the Texas A&M University Equine Initiative; and new for 2016 Lumina Media, Pyranha, 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.

Sweepstakes campaign will award one winner a luxury dude ranch vacation to encourage riders to introduce friends to equestrian sports.

June 30th, 2016, Washington, D.C. – Time to Ride today announced a new sweepstakes campaign aimed at encouraging horse owners and riders to focus on introducing non-rider friends to equestrian sports. The “Pledge to Take a Friend Riding” sweepstakes will take place September 1-30, 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 timetoride.wpengine.com/pledge.*

The mission of the campaign is to encourage horse owners and riders to take direct action to introduce their non-riding friends to horseback riding. For many equestrians, it was the personal connection through a friend or family member that made their initial entry into horseback riding fun, accessible, inclusive, and long-lasting.

“Equestrian sports are often perceived as exclusive and difficult to break into, but it’s time to change that stereotype,” said Christie Schulte, Time to Ride marketing manager. “Without the support of family or friends, many of us may not have known where or how to take up riding – and now it’s our turn to be that friend who introduces a new rider to horses. Whether it’s English or Western, trail riding, driving, or any other equestrian activity, it’s our privilege and duty to welcome new people to our beloved sport for the growth and health of our industry.”

Many celebrity riders are joining Time to Ride by pledging to take a friend riding, including: David O’Connor, Al Dunning, D. Wayne Lukas, Lyle Lovett, Lindy Burch, Tom McCutcheon, Lynn Palm, Kerry Kuhn, Tootie Bland and more.

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 timetoride.wpengine.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 timetoride.wpengine.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: 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.