These events, designed to be simple and strategic, create valuable opportunities for horse enthusiasts to network, share experiences, and discover new resources.
Each event you host becomes a catalyst for collaboration, sparking new ideas and strengthening community bonds. As a NEIGHborhood Champion, you’ll become a recognized leader, building trust and fostering valuable relationships within your local equestrian network. AAHC provides the tools, resources, and a simple framework to support your efforts, making it easy to create impactful and engaging events. With just four events a year, you can make a significant difference in the lives of horse people in your area.
Coming up with the Event Theme
The options for an event are endless. Meet ups at favorite local restaurants, bars, breweries, and similar are easy. Keep in mind that casual cocktail style parties at the barn or your home typically offer the best environment for building connections. Pool parties are popular as well. The key is to be strategic, not random. Think about what will motivate your NEIGHbors to attend. If you are unsure, take a quick poll. Think about the 5 people that you know you can count on to attend (given their schedule is open for the date you choose and you give them enough notice) and call or text them. Say something like, “I want to host a social in [your county] for horse folks, and I want to make sure you can and want to come. What is your availability and what should we do?”
Choosing Dates and Times
- Avoid major date conflicts – Obvious but necessary to say. Avoid UGA football games and major holidays (unless your gathering IS getting together to watch the game or to celebrate the holiday!) and AAHC-wide socials 2025 (avoid the months of: March, May, August, and December). You can check the AAHC Master Calendar at the bottom of this webpage. You want people to actually be available.
- Consider the day of the week – Tuesday and Thursdays are great options for a 2 hour cocktail party. Friday and Saturday are prime social time, but they can be crowded with opportunities and commitments.
- Event length – time of day matters. We have found that two hours is perfect for a weekday evening social – 5:30 to 7:30, 6 to 8. Start on time and end on time. This respects people’s schedules, creates urgency, and keeps the energy high. The timing mentioned allows people to come by after work but still have time for dinner or stopping by the barn on the way home.
- Be flexible – but not too flexible. It is almost impossible to find a date that works for everyone. Don’t get bogged down trying to please everyone. Pick a date that works for most of your target audience and stick with it.
Target Audience
Think about where horses folks hang out in your neck of the woods. Finding them is not about casting a wide net, it is about knowing where they gather. Think about hubs for the community – popular boarding facilities, tack/feed stores, local riding clubs, 4-H and FFA groups. AAHC will already be tapping into the online community we have built to spread the word about your social.
Don’t underestimate the power of word-of-mouth. Encourage your existing network to spread the word to their friends and colleagues.
While it’s important to have a target audience in mind, don’t be afraid to welcome people who might not fit the mold perfectly. Sometimes the most interesting connections happen when you bring together people from different backgrounds and disciplines.
Party Details and Invitation
Once you have these worked out, send the details to the AAHC Admin Team and we will add a page to the AAHC website calendar – complete with an RSVP!
- The Essentials (The “Who, What, When, Where”): This is non-negotiable. You must include:
- What: What kind of gathering is it? (Cocktail party at local barn or private residence, meet-up at restaurant or brewery, etc.)
- When: The date and exact start and end times. We’ve found 2 hour gatherings work well.
- Where: The full address and any specific directions or parking instructions.
- Who (is hosting): Make it clear who is throwing the party.
- Give people a sense of what to expect. Is it casual or fancy? What’s the atmosphere going to be like? A short, catchy phrase can do wonders. Examples: “Barn Gathering”, “Horses and Happy Hour”, “NEIGH-borhood Gathering”, “Unwind and Connect”.
- The Hook (Why Should They Come?): This is where you sell the experience. What’s unique or special about this gathering? What will people gain by attending? Focus on the value of the connections they’ll make.
- RSVP Information (Crucial for Planning): Make it clear how people should RSVP and by when. This helps you get an accurate headcount. Give them a clear call to action: “RSVP by [Date] on the AAHC Website [include LINK].”
- Anything Special (Optional, but Enhances the Experience): If there are any special activities, dress code, entertainment, or themes, mention them briefly. This adds excitement and anticipation.
Guest List
- Spend half an hour sending the invitation to horse people you want to invite. Say something like, “I am having a party for horse people who live in and around (your county). Here are the details (LINK). Would love to see you there!”
- Invite 4 or 5 people that you REALLY enjoy. Directly ask them to commit to attending. That way you, as the host, are guaranteed to have fun because you know that you’ll have good friends there.
The Social Itself
- Name Tags – The Ultimate Icebreaker! Yes, you may know the name of everyone there. But everyone there will not know everyone else. Plus it avoid the awkward “I know I know this person but I cannot for the life of me think of their name!” People need to know who they are talking to.
- Drinks and Snacks – keep it simple. Don’t overthink this. A signature cocktail, some beer, some wine, and simple snacks are all you need. Focus on the people, not having a gourmet spread.
- Music – Upbeat, But Not Overpowering: You want background music that sets a vibe, not a concert that drowns out conversation. Think upbeat, but not so loud that people have to shout. You want to hear the buzz of conversation.
- Minimize Seating Areas: Seriously. Do not stress about having enough seating. We want people to move, to mingle, to connect. Seating encourages people to clump together and stay put. We want dynamic energy, not a stuffy boardroom.
- Introduce People Intentionally: This is key. If you know two people who have something in common, introduce them! Be the human connector. That’s your job as the host.
- Walk Around and Engage: Don’t be a wallflower. Work the room. Talk to everyone. Connect people. Keep the energy up. You set the tone for the whole party.
- Take Photos – They aren’t just snapshots, they are social proof. Take candid shots, get photos of people connecting and encourage sharing on social media.
- The Grand Finale (The “Irish Exit” Encouraged): When the two hours are up, announce it! Thank everyone for coming, and encourage them to continue the conversations elsewhere. This prevents the awkward lingering and keeps the party fresh and memorable.
AAHC Master Calendar
This calendar only shows events as placeholders. Full event details should be available on the AAHC Website Calendar.
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