One Big Thing: American Horse Council Marketing Alliance announces new Team Challenge
The American Horse Council’s (AHC) Marketing Alliance invites teams of college and university students across the United States to participate in the AHC Marketing Alliance Team Challenge. Selected teams of 5–10 students will be eligible to receive grant funding of up to $15,000 to develop and implement innovative initiatives that expand engagement in the equine industry.
According to the American Horse Council’s most recent Economic Impact Study, the U.S. equine industry contributes $177 billion annually to the economy and supports 2.2 million jobs nationwide. With approximately 6.6 million horses, the industry spans recreation, sport, agriculture, tourism, and healthcare — yet there remains significant opportunity to bring more people into hands-on participation.
This is a student’s opportunity to make a real impact — your ideas, creativity, and perspective as emerging leaders can help shape the future of the equine industry. This challenge is intentionally designed with limited guidelines to encourage creativity, innovation, and bold thinking—participants are encouraged to “think outside the barn.”
The primary goal of this challenge is to support initiatives that:
- Introduce new audiences to horses and the equine industry
- Encourage individuals with observational interest (fans, spectators, casual followers) to become active participants
- Increase hands-on engagement, including:
- Riding or equine activities
- Horse ownership or leasing
- Participation in equine sport, recreation, or care
- Achieve wide reach and meaningful impact, engaging as many people as possible to enjoy time with horses
Proposals should demonstrate clear strategies for growing participation, expanding audience reach, and deepening engagement with horses.
[Click here to learn more about the challenge eligibility, funding requirements, evaluation criteria, and logistics to apply.] Proposals are due by November 1, 2026.
Major International Events This Weekend
MARS Bromont CCI4*-L (CAN): [Website] [VIP Tickets] [Schedule] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer] [CrossCountry App XC Map] [Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage]
Melbourne International CCI4*-L (AUS): [Website] [Tickets] [Schedule] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer] [CrossCountry App XC Map] [Live Stream]
Grandorse Eventing Kronenberg CCI4*-S (NED): [Website] [Schedule] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer] [CrossCountry App XC Map]
US Events This Weekend
Windermere Run HT (MO): [Facebook] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]
Apple Knoll Farm HT (MA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]
Middleburg HT (VA): [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer] [CrossCountry App XC Map]
Revel Run HT I (MI): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]
Other Links and Reading
Training Tip of the Day
Every stride of your canter has to feel like a five-barred gate could pop up at any moment, says Lucinda Green — that is ‘engine’:
Go Eventing
The UK held the country’s first ever bridleless competition this past weekend, and it’s taken social media by storm — and for good reason:
