Horse Illustrated Magazine

The Pledge to Take a Friend Riding is the newest addition to the Time to Ride initiative. Introduced in 2016, the Pledge is a sweepstakes incentive aimed at encouraging equestrians everywhere to introduce their non-horse riding friends and family to take part in a horse-related activity. The goal of the Pledge is to encourage the equine community to become more welcoming and inclusive of newcomers. This year, the Pledge will begin on July 22nd and will be open through September 16th. Anyone may enter by simply taking the pledge to take a friend riding.*

In order to illustrate how a horse can fit into anyone’s life, celebrities such as David O’Connor, Al Dunning, D. Wayne Lukas, Lyle Lovett, Lindy Burch, Tom McCutcheon, Lynn Palm, Kerry Kuhn, and more are taking the Pledge. The first day of the Pledge is July 22nd; the fourth Saturday in July is the perfect time in the height of summer to try new horse activities. Time to Ride welcomes equestrians everywhere to invite their friends and family to participate in fun, horse-related adventures with them and take the Pledge!

Dan James, Road to the Horse winner, Congress Freestyle Reining champion, Mustang Million top five finisher, one half of Double Dan Horsemanship, and lifelong horse enthusiast and trainer, understands the importance of promoting horseback riding as an activity for anyone.

“I grew up knowing I wanted to ride and train horses for the rest of my life, but there was never a time I didn’t want to share that passion with the people I was closest to,” says Dan.

From Australia to Japan, then Texas and back again, Dan works diligently to create opportunities for people to learn more about the benefits of horseback riding.

“I love sharing horsemanship with new riders. I think it allows them to view the sport as something anyone can take part in, not just those born on a cattle farm.”

The Pledge sweepstakes grand prize will include participation in a horsemanship clinic for one with Dan at his Australian Equine Performance Center in Lexington, Kentucky.

The 2016 Pledge grand prize winner, Caitlin W. of Parker, Colorado, shared her experience with last year’s contest.

“The Pledge was a lot of fun,” she says. “I won the trip of a lifetime all because I did something that more of us should be doing to promote the sport we love.”

Caitlin won a trip to Montana to experience the luxury dude ranch The Resort at Paws Up.

“Now, regardless if there’s a contest or not, I do my best to get more of my family and friends horseback so they can experience the same joys I do.”

The 2017 winner will receive a Kentucky Horse Crazy Trip for two, including two passes to Kentucky Horse Park, a Kentucky Horse Park Trail Ride, Keeneland Grandstand Reserved Seating and a tour of Keeneland. They will also receive participation for one in a Dan James horsemanship clinic in Kentucky! Please see timetoride.com/pledge for more details.*

*No purchase necessary. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and D.C., age 18 or older. Void where prohibited. Odds of winning depend on number of entries received. Sweepstakes ends at 5:00 p.m. ET on September 16, 2017. For full official rules and to enter, visit www.timetoride.com/pledge. Sponsored by American Horse Council dba Time to Ride, 1616 H Street NW, 7th Floor, Washington, DC 20006.
For questions regarding the Pledge or how to get involved, email Time to Ride at info@timetoride.com or call at (512) 591-7811.