This May, hundreds of horse farms, stables and ranches will take part in an unprecedented hospitality event designed to bring people interested in riding face to face with horses, instructors, breeders, and others who can help them get started. These open house events are part of Saddle Up America, a month-long celebration of the horse developed to introduce more people to the world of horses and riding activities. Lesson barns, breeding farms, dude ranches, camps, schools, and other riding establishments are encouraged to participate by holding an open house to help grow the industry. Each open house will be a unique program, planned by the facility and produced in cooperation with the Horse Industry Alliance (HIA), the organizer of Saddle Up America.

Saddle Up America is a month-long nationwide celebration of the horse comprised of events and activities across the country. The program is designed to stimulate interest in horses among the one in three Americans that HIA’s research shows want to ride.

The open house can be a small, informal gathering or a larger production, and may include demonstrations, facility tours, music, food, advice, information and even riding opportunities. Each open house visitor will receive a Saddle Up America starter kit, which includes information on buying a horse, finding an instructor and what to wear, plus valuable coupons from Saddle Up America sponsors.

HIA provides each open house host with an Open House Host Kit, available in March, which includes a sample news release for local distribution, ad slicks for local placement, tips on activities, sign-up cards that will survey visitors, signage and a host survey