Time to Ride, an initiative of the American Horse Council, today announced an aggressive grassroots effort designed to engage 100,000 new people with horses in a 100-day period.

The 100 Day Horse Challenge is a nationwide campaign intended to expose at least 100,000 new people to horses while providing $100,000 in cash and prizes to participating stables, organizations and businesses. The program will enlist 1,000 stables, horse clubs, venues, organizations, or individuals to register as an official Time to Ride “Host” and compete in the 100 Day Horse Challenge, which kicks off June 1. Participating hosts will be divided into small, medium, and large divisions by size, and challenged to provide a horse experience to as many new participants as possible. Activities may include education, riding, grooming, learning about horsemanship, and more.

“This program incentivizes the segment of our industry that can truly open the doors to a first-ever horse experience for thousands of people,” explained Patti Colbert, a Time to Ride spokesperson. “It will also educate our hosts on some best practices for growing their businesses.”

Individual cash prizes up to $25,000 as well as stable equipment, feed, veterinary supplies, and more will be awarded to the hosts that garner the greatest number of new, verified horse enthusiasts.

The Challenge is open to the first 1,000 hosts capable of growing the horse industry – including stables, instructors, clubs, events, recreational riders, equine service professionals, veterinarians, shows, facilities, racetracks, and more. Registered hosts will receive extensive marketing support from Time to Ride, including listing on the Time to Ride Map with special denotation as an official Time to Ride Host.

Hosts can register starting in April for the Time to Ride 100 Day Horse Challenge atwww.timetoride.com. Registration deadline is May 15. For more information, please visit www.timetoride.com or e-mail Christie@timetoride.com.