Amarillo, Texas – The All Breeds division of the American Quarter Horse Association’s Horseback Riding Program has been growing at a fast pace. In just one year, the number of AQHA members enrolled in the program has increased from 328 members in 2004 to 627 members in 2005.
The Horseback Riding Program was developed to provide AQHA members with a rewards system for hours spent in the saddle. Participants log the hours they spend riding and receive awards based on the number of hours they accumulate. In 2005, participants in the All Breeds division have logged 37,123 hours. Last year, participants logged 4,874 hours.
AQHA’s Horseback Riding Program has two divisions available exclusively to AQHA members. The American Quarter Horse division is for logging hours spent on American Quarter Horses. The All Breeds division allows AQHA members to log hours spent riding any breed of horse.
“The All Breeds division began when AQHA members were looking for a program that would reward them for the hours they spent on any horse, not just an American Quarter Horse,” said Ward Stutz, AQHA Director of Membership Services and Public Policy. “The All Breeds division provides an opportunity for nonmembers to join AQHA and participate in a recreational riding program that rewards you for spending time with your horse.”
The All Breeds division has seven awards levels. More than 65 participants have reached the 50-hour mark, and 42 participants have reached the 100-hour level in 2005. Prizes awarded include gift certificates from Drysdales, Tex Tan headstalls, rocker bars and AQHA patches.
For more information on AQHA’s Horseback Riding Program, contact AQHA at (806) 376-4811 or visit
www.aqha.com.
