Horse industry breed and discipline organizations are joining forces with the 2017 Time to Ride Challenge to once again introduce new horse enthusiasts to riding. The Challenge will award $100,000 cash and prizes to the stables, clubs, and businesses that can generate the most "newcomer" interactions with horses and then bring them back for follow-up experiences.

Twelve American Horse Council-member organizations are offering additional incentives for their members this year: the American Quarter Horse Association, Paso Fino Horse Association, Appaloosa Horse Club, Arabian Horse Association, Pinto Horse Association of America, United States Dressage Federation, the Certified Horsemanship Association, the Carriage Operators of North America, U.S. Equestrian, American Paint Horse Association, National Reining Horse Association, and Mustang Heritage Foundation. Each group will award prizes to the members of their association who do best in the Challenge.

Additional prizes offered range from trophy buckles and year-end ceremony recognition to up to thousands of dollars in cash and prizes. For example, the Mustang Heritage Foundation will award belt buckles to its top three placing members, and the Arabian Horse Association will award its top-placing member $3,500 and its second-highest-placing member $1,500. These awards are available to members of each organization in addition to the $100,000 in cash and prizes they can win as participants in the Time to Ride Challenge!

"These organizations' support in the Challenge means a lot, as it provides yet another reason for Challenge hosts to work hard throughout the summer," program coordinator Sara Palacios said.

"They've each taken a great deal of time putting together prizes that are special for the Challenge winners. For example, a stable could win $2,500 as a second-place finisher in its Phase I division and also win a pair of custom trophy spurs from the National Reining Horse Association as the highest-placing NRHA member in the Challenge. It's exciting to watch the organizations rally around their members for a cause that helps the greater good of the entire equine industry."

Christy Landwehr, CEO of the Certified Horsemanship Association, shared that the "Certified Horsemanship Association was thrilled to participate in the Challenge Association Program. In this way, our certified instructors and accredited equine facilities could be a part of the Time to Ride Challenge and win money as well as recognition and prizes from CHA. And best of all, we are all helping to grow the equine industry with new people who will be future association members, riders, horse owners, show competitors, etc.

Since 2014, Challenge participants have introduced almost 100,000 new people to horses through beginner-friendly events. Stables, clubs, and businesses are invited to sign up for the 2017 Challenge by visiting TimeToRide.com. The Challenge begins May 1. Upon registration, a user can specify which organization he or she is a member of to become eligible for the additional prizes. To learn more visit the website or contact info@timetoride.com.

Courtesy of AQHA

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