Walking On Volume 2, Issue 8, August 2015 | Page 8

Industry Info
conjunction with the running of the
Breeders’ Cup in October at Keeneland Race Track. “We hope this can
be our piece of the fan development
puzzle; to share the story of the horse
– from birth, to racing, and back
to breeding,” said Price Bell, Jr. “By
offering authentic, unique, coordinated experiences we will share with
the public the history and stories of
these amazing athletes who inspire
us every day.”
Ross Peddicord spoke about the
Maryland Horse Industry Discovery Project, launched in the last two
years. “The goal of the Maryland
Horse Discovery Project is to develop
a statewide network of neighborhood
equine education centers at existing
stables,” said Peddicord, “and to invite people of all ages to learn about
horses and horsemanship in a welcoming and knowledgeable setting.”

8 • Walking On

The project has initiated several new
programs in Maryland, such as Horse
Pals Affinity Group, Horse Discovery
Centers, the Maryland Horse Chase
and the development of horse curriculum in Maryland public schools,
and Horse Land at the Maryland
State Fair, to attract and engage the
public in ways that haven’t been done
in the past for the state of Maryland.
Finally, Patti Colbert of Time to
Ride gave an update on the program
and the new initiatives it is undertaking this year to attract newcomers.
She updated attendees on the 2015
Time to Ride Challenge. Ms. Colbert
reported that the 2015 Time to Ride
Challenge was underway. Nearly
1,000 stables, facilities, or businesses,
termed “hosts,” have signed up from
49 states to compete for $100,000 in
cash and prizes in three categories,
small, medium, and large. To date

4,112 newcomers have had a firsttime horse experience through the
Challenge at 206 events already held,
Ms. Colbert noted. Hosts will be
holding events through September.
“By focusing on word of mouth
and the media, we can continue to
target and engage our primary audience of moms and their children,”
said Colbert. “Through programs
such as National Meet a Horse Day,
Mom Round-Up, Time to Ride
Stories, and the Time to Ride Challenge, we are hoping to connect more
newcomers than ever,” she said.
Both panels were well received
and highlighted much of the positive
work being done in the industry to
keep youth involved and attract newcomers to the horse industry.