ENROLLMENT HIGH IN AQHA'S HORSEBACK RIDING PROGRAM

AMARILLO, Texas - Enrollment in the American Quarter Horse Association's Horseback Riding Program has hit a record high with 14,075 participants across the globe. Riders have already logged more than 3.6 million hours in the saddle-and some 1,300 have earned awards for their effort this year.

AQHA's Horseback Riding Program makes riding an American Quarter Horse more rewarding than ever with every participant receiving AQHA recognition and awards.

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

"We have seen significant increases in most areas of AQHA," said Bill Brewer, AQHA Executive Vice President. "AQHA Membership numbers hit a record 337,000 making us hopeful that people are spending more time with their families and their American Quarter Horses."

As of June 30, AQHA Membership totaled 337,062. The 14,075 enrollments in the Horseback Riding Program is up more than 1,000 members as compared to July 2001

.

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

* Must provide the name and number of the American Quarter Horse on the log sheet

* May ride more than one American Quarter Horse; however, a separate log sheet must be submitted for each horse.

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.

Qualifications & Rules

Participants:

* Must maintain AQHA, AQHYA or Amateur Membership

* Must pay a one-time $25 enrollment fee

* Log hours riding or pleasure driving American Quarter Horses on official log sheets

* Must ride a horse(s) that is registered with the American Quarter Horse Association; rider does not have to own the horse

MEMBER BENEFIT OFFER

AQHA and Ford Motor Co. have teamed up to help you get the most out of your membership - plus a great new Ford car, truck or SUV.

AQHA members receive a $500 incentive toward the purchase of any new Ford vehicle (excluding special editions). The $500 member incentive is in addition to all other publicly available Ford Motor Co. retail offers in effect at the time of purchase or lease. This incentive may not be used in combination with other private offers.

Just show your Ford dealer your AQHA membership card for the $500 member incentive. Learn more about the Ford member incentive and other AQHA Corporate Partner benefits at http://www.aqha.com/association/benefits/discounts.html