Operation Free Ride
America’s Horse Daily
AQHA members are invited to give back to those who serve our country.
The Armed Forces Foundation and Horses4Heroes Inc., is inviting all AQHA members, instructors and facility owners, to participate in an unprecedented collaboration between breed associations and equestrian organizations, united for one important mission: to give our active-duty military personnel, returning combat veterans, wounded warriors and their families the opportunity to ride a horse for free!
Launching this spring, Operation Free Ride will be an important opportunity for participating facilities to show your support for the soldiers and veterans and their families who have sacrificed for us to keep us safe and free, participate in a nationwide community service project and attract new customers to your facilities.
Interested facilities and families can register at www.OperationFreeRide.com. Families can click on the map and find a list of participating facilities in their area, whom they will then contact for a “free ride.” This can be a walk around the pen, a trail ride or a visit to a dude ranch. The sky’s the limit, and it’s up to you.
Our facility is definitely going to look into helping with this program! I am ooncerned however, that the children in the featured photo are NOT wearing helmets. Participating facilities should be prepared to provide helmets to the riders.
The picture in the article was taken at the 2nd Annual Walk-Trot Spectacular, a horse show put on by Horses4Heroes. That explains the no-helmets.
At the headquarters, everyone under 18 must wear a helmet. All participating facilities are required to have insurance. Also, Horses4Heroes has a partnership with Trozel. All members can buy the American Spirit helmet at a discount through a participating facility.