June 16, 2016 
The Time to Ride Challenge, in its third year in 2016, is now open for registration. The gist? Introduce new people to horses and riding and win cash and prizes. (So basically, you can do what you already do, but now you can win cool swag for it. Sound good? OF COURSE IT DOES.)
Stables, clubs, businesses, and other horse professionals are invited to take part in growing their businesses by introducing new people to horses and expanding the entire industry. The Challenge will award $100,000 cash and prizes and is open for free registration now through September 30th at www.timetoride.com.
Since 2014, the Challenge has introduced more than 60,000 people to horses through first-time horse experiences with the support and involvement of hundreds of stables, clubs, and equine businesses nationwide. This year, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has partnered with Time to Ride to bring 25,000 new youth engagements to equestrian sports in 2016 through the Time to Ride Challenge in partnership with First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! initiative.
Hosts plan engaging, beginner-friendly hands-on horse events designed to connect families interested in horses to opportunities in their area such as riding lessons, camps, and trail rides. Those who introduce the greatest number of “newcomers”—those who have not been regularly involved in horse activities for the past three years—to horses will win up to $10,000 cash and related prizes in three divisions: small, medium, and large.
Hosts from 38 states have registered more than 350 events so far. Family days at horse shows, Girl Scout badge work, an Arabian horse breed showcase, school field trips, and pony and carriage rides are just a few examples of the creative, accessible events that hosts have planned already. By reaching a new segment of their community, businesses add to their own client base while supporting the entire horse industry.
(Courtesy of TimetoRide.com)
“It’s critically important to the future of the horse community to focus on welcoming new participants,” said Time to Ride’s Patti Colbert. “The Challenge gives rewards and recognition to the hard working horse professionals who are doing the valuable work of teaching new people the very basics and giving them a path to grow into lifelong equestrians.”
One such farm? Assistant Trainer Madison Brashaw and the kind folks over at
“Competing in the Challenge is not only about winning or placing, although that was my goal at first. It turned out to be so much more than winning the prize money. It’s about getting us, as part of the horse industry, to look differently at how we advertise and promote ourselves. It’s about securing a future for the horse industry,” said Jody Halladay, owner of 16 Acres Equine Educational Complex and 2015 medium division champion.
This year, cash prizes have been expanded to over $75,000, including new incentives that will pay cash awards to more winners than ever before. For the first time, the first 100 hosts to introduce 100 newcomers to horses will automatically win $100 cash. The Challenge offers marketing support and event ideas for participants, plus resources such as customizable ads, posters, and other creative material.
To register, visit the Time to Ride Challenge website, or you can learn more here:
