Horsesdaily News: More Than 4.2 Million Hours Logged in AQHA Horseback Riding Program

More Than 4.2 Million Hours Logged in AQHA Horseback Riding Program

AMARILLO, Texas - With more than 15,000 participants enrolled in American Quarter Horse Association Horseback Riding Program, the hours are piling up with 4,228,902 hours logged as of May 1.

Enrollment in the Horseback Riding Program has continued to grow with 15,385 participants across the globe. Nearly 2,000 participants have earned awards through the program for their efforts this year.

Three participants, Marc Malin of Scottsdale, Arizona; Diane Farrell of Saint Maries, Idaho; and Randy Reecer of Amarillo, Texas, have all earned the biggest prize, a 5,000 hour award, in 2003.

Everyone entered in the incentive-based Horseback Riding Program can
win patches, belt buckles and gift certificates toward the purchase of an AQHA jacket or other prizes just for recording the hours spent riding an American Quarter Horse.

"Our goal at AQHA is to connect people to horses," said Bill Brewer, AQHA Executive Vice President. "We have discovered that members are riding for numerous reasons: to build strength, improve cardiovascular health, ease stress and because they enjoy it."

How Does The Horseback Riding Program Work? Participants simply pay a one-time enrollment fee and log the hours spent riding an American Quarter Horse on an official log sheet provided by AQHA. Once the log sheet is returned to AQHA, participants receive awards and gift certificates, based on the hours spent riding, for AQHA Horseback Riding Program merchandise from
Drysdales Western Store catalog.

For more information on enrolling in the AQHA Horseback Riding Program, contact AQHA at (806) 376-4811 or visit AQHA online at
www.aqha.com/recreation.