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Time to Ride Challenge offers APHA member incentives

Any Paint enthusiast can rattle off a myriad of reasons to get involved with the breed—after all, our Paint Horses are versatile, flashy, charismatic and the perfect partners. With the Time to Ride Challenge, APHA members can earn cash, prizes and APHA incentives just for introducing new people to horses and riding.

The Time to Ride Challenge is a nationwide contest designed to introduce people to horses by connecting newcomers with stables, clubs and equine businesses in their communities.  Developed by the American Horse Council in partnership with the Let’s Move! initiative and the United States Equestrian Federation, the program is in its third year and has received widespread support and involvement from equine organizations around the country, including APHA.

Participating equine businesses and trainers compete against each other for up to $10,000 in cash and prizes in three awards divisions—small, medium and large—based on number of new people introduced to riding. In addition, APHA members who sign up as a Time to Ride host will be entered into a drawing for a $250 gift card to the APHA General Store.

“Competing in the challenge is not only about winning or placing, although that was my goal at first,” said Jody Halladay, owner of 16 Acres Equine Educational Complex of Union Grove, Wisconsin, and 2015 medium division champion. “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.”

The challenge began June 1 and runs through September 30 and is an excellent opportunity to showcase Paint Horses to those new to the horse industry. Although the contest is already underway, it’s not too late to throw your Paint Horse business’ hat in the ring and qualify for the APHA gift card drawing. Log on to the Time to Ride website to get listed as a host, access free marketing materials, get tips and ideas for events from previous Challenge winners and learn how Time to Ride can grow your equestrian business. 

Host organizations from around the country have planned more than 350 beginner-friendly events for 2016, making horses easily accessible for anyone interested in saddling up. A list of riding opportunities, events and clubs for new riders can be found here. 

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[Reprinting all or part of this news release is permitted, so long as credit is given to the Paint Horse Journal and a link provided back to apha.com.] 

About APHA


The American Paint Horse Association is the world’s second-largest international equine breed association, registering more than a million horses in 59 nations and territories since it was founded. APHA creates and maintains programs that increase the value of American Paint Horses and enriches members’ experiences with their horses.

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