/24-7PressRelease/ - March 30, 2008 - Ranch Rider, is launching an online competition for younger horse lovers at http://www.mylittlefoal.com; with a view to encouraging more children to take up the reins. Open to riders, non-riders and those who are simply mad about horses, entrants will have the chance to name a newborn foal that will be arriving in Spring 2008 at the White Stallion Ranch in Tucson, Arizona.
Elaine Barrett, of the Arizona Office of Tourism, comments: "This competition is the perfect opportunity to raise awareness, not only of Arizona, but of the fun exercise that can be had with horses in the great outdoors. It's great to see children being encouraged away from their video games and possibly looking into learning a useful skill that will stay with them for life."
Ranch Rider is well aware of the benefits where kids and riding are concerned and the specialist tour operator sees the launch of the 'My Little Foal' competition as a unique opportunity to develop children's interest in a positive, healthy and family friendly activity.
Tony Daly, Managing Director of Ranch Rider, comments: "Riding is a great sport for kids to be involved in, as not only does it generate a love of horses, but also the great outdoors. It might start with a ranching holiday, but post vacation children can indulge in this favoured pastime at a riding school, and later on down the line, at equestrian events. Above all, riding is a passion that usually stays with us for life, and a competitive spirit centered around caring for horses is an ideal way to develop well-balanced children, who learn empathy and consideration for others first hand from their four legged friends."
Jacqui Williams, Marketing & PR for the Western Horsemen's Association of Great Britain, celebrating their 40th Anniversary this year, agrees: "Winston Churchill once said "the best thing for the inside of a boy is the outside of a horse." Things have moved on since he made that comment with numerous equestrian disciplines emerging, available to both girls and boys. Whatever the differences between these disciplines, riding teaches us many skills including, relaxation, maturity, care, diligence, exercise, balance, confidence, respect, and most of all affection."
Ranch Rider knows that the competition will be a compelling opportunity for young horse fanatics everywhere as the winner will receive an official horse naming certificate signed by the White Stallion, a year's subscription to Horse + Pony magazine and VIP membership to the publication's website. All applicants will receive a free downloadable A4 poster of Trouble (or officially, She's Big Trouble), a beautiful solid bay with one white hind coronet band, who is also mother-(mare)-to-be. In addition, extra horsey widgets in the form of funky foal wallpapers will be available to download direct from the website at http://www.mylittlefoal.com.
After all this horsin' around there is certain to be a strong interest from younger riders and their parents looking to visit the White Stallion and meet the new foal; and as Arizona is a year round destination, families can opt for winter sun or an alternative to the summer beach stay. A ranch holiday could also be the start of a family health plan to get fit; and with no age limit on this adventure activity Grandma and Grandad can come along for the ride too.
Elaine Barrett, of the Arizona Office of Tourism, comments: "In Arizona you really are spoilt for choice with horse orientated activities taking place around Tucson, Greater Phoenix, Wickenburg, Prescott, and Sedona - there's even riding at the Grand Canyon!
"With its varied terrain and bright, sunny weather, the Grand Canyon State is a terrific place to play outdoors, and horseback riding is the perfect activity to challenge your skills."
The White Stallion Guest Ranch in Arizona is one of many family options in Ranch Rider's 2008 brochure. A Spanish style retreat, the ranch is surrounded by scores of scenic trails and children as young as five can ride their own horses. Weekly rodeos, team penning and hayrides are all part of the programme with volleyball, basketball, shuffleboard and a petting zoo for the little ones, making this the perfect family ranching retreat. A 7-night stay with Ranch Rider for a family of four (including, two adults and two children aged 2-11 years) costs FROM 2,070. Departures available year round.
Other family oriented options in Ranch Rider's portfolio include, the award wining Tanque Verde Resort Ranch in Arizona (A 7-night stay with Ranch Rider for a family of four including two adults and two children aged 4-17 years, costs FROM 2,954) and the Paradise Guest Ranch, set in a tranquil valley in Wyoming's Big Horn National Forest. A 7-night stay with Ranch Rider for a family of four including, two adults and two children aged 6-12 years, costs FROM 3,073. Departures available May to September *.
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All the above prices (unless otherwise stated) include all accommodation (based on two adults sharing and two children), transfers, gratuities, meals, and all ranch based riding. Excludes International flights, which can be booked through Ranch Rider from the following departure airports, Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Additional departure airports including Aberdeen, Bristol, Cardiff, Leeds/Bradford, Humberside, Teeside, Newcastle and Norwich are available at a 50pp supplement.
Telephone Ranch Rider on 01509 618811 or visit Ranch Rider at http://www.ranchrider.com for further information. ATOL PROTECTED No 4660 ABTA 96395/V9150.
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Notes to Editors': Entries for Ranch Rider's "My Little Foal" competition will be judged on the following criteria:
1. The name the candidate enters
2. Details on how & why the name was chosen
3. And what the entrant feels is top of their list in keeping a horse happy and healthy
Entry forms will be available on the website at http://www.mylittlefoal.com. Entrants must be resident in the UK and 16 years or under on 31 May 2008, the closing date for the competition. Parental consent must be forwarded along with all entries. The winning entry will be revealed in June 2008.
The Western Horseman's Association of Great Britain is celebrating its 40th Anniversary this year. The organisation showcases the art of Western riding through competitive and non-competitive events available to children and adults. The origins of Western riding relate to the Knights of Old and the Spanish conquistadors who demonstrated the ability to control their horses with one hand whilst using the other to carry lancers and shields - their horses learning to be flexible. The seat of these riders was long, a feature which remains to this day, not only in Western riding, but also in basic dressage, from which all-equestrian disciplines derive. Please contact Jacqui Stone at the Western Horseman's Association of Great Britain on 07786 96 1119 or visit http://www.whagb.co.uk/
* The Paradise Guest Ranch is adults only from 24 August to 28 September 2008.
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