FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Equine Companies and Associations Join Forces to Promote Riding
Washington, DC – The American Horse Council (AHC) Marketing Alliance was formed in 2012 by a group of equine-related corporations and organizations concerned about the 2008 recession and its impact on the equine industry. The Marketing Alliance’s mission is to promote horses, horseback riding and horse ownership to the general public, with a focus on long-term industry sustainability. Over the last eight years, the Alliance has continued to explore and seek ways to grow and expand the industry and make it more accessible.
The 2020 Marketing Alliance includes Equine Network, American Horse Council, Purina, Spalding Laboratories and Zoetis. Additional support is provided by the American Association of Equine Practitioners, American Paint Horse Association, American Quarter Horse Association, National Reining Horse Association, Troxel Helmets and Weaver Leather. Educational support is provided by Certified Horsemanship Association, United States Equestrian Federation and United States Pony Clubs.
Time To Ride® (TTR) is the primary program of the Marketing Alliance. In addition to providing substantial financial and educational support and helping to promote TTR, many members of the Marketing Alliance provide discounts and other benefits to TTR Program Facilities.
“Time To Ride is not only the result of the financial and educational contributions of our Marketing Alliance members, it’s a result of the combined brainpower of this group,” said Molly O’Brien, TTR Program Manager. “Through twice-annual in-person meetings, monthly reports and quarterly conference calls, the Marketing Alliance provides valuable insight from a diverse group of individuals across the spectrum of equine businesses and associations. Our accomplishments are due to the dedication of these organizations and their individual employees. We greatly appreciate the tremendous support they provide,” O’Brien concluded.
About Time To Ride
From 2014-2018, the Time To Ride Challenge introduced over 132,000 newcomers to the world of horses. In 2019 the Marketing Alliance decided to put a fresh spin on Time To Ride, shifting the focus to introducing families, specifically school-age children, to horseback riding and horse care in a safe, welcoming and fun environment through an initial series of six to eight lessons that include basic horse care as well as riding. The lesson series are offered at approved Time To Ride Program Facilities through schools, local youth organizations and recreational leagues.
Equine facilities and instructors have to meet stringent requirements to be designated as Time To Ride Program Facilities, including SafeSport training and a criminal background check. All instructors are required to hold a current professional membership with one or more national breed or discipline associations, be certified as an instructor through a recognized program such as Certified Horsemanship Association or licensed as a riding instructor in the state in which they teach.
Barns approved as Time To Ride Program Facilities are given a robust “tool kit” including marketing tools, techniques and assistance to help with their local outreach. In addition, participants are connected to the TTR “community” to share ideas, best practices and other helpful advice with fellow instructors through a very active closed Facebook page and frequent communication with the TTR program manager.
For more information contact Molly O’Brien, Time To Ride Program Manager:
ttr@horsecouncil.org; 202-891-7971.
