Robert Reyers took second place in the short stirrup division at the third annual JustWorld International Horseless Horse Show. Photo Credit - Sportfot
JustWorld Rider Ambassador Daniel Bluman won the Grand Prix at the third annual JustWorld International Horseless Horse Show. Photo Credit - Sportfot

February 25, 2008 – Wellington, Florida – The third annual ‘Horseless Horse Show’ for the benefit of JustWorld International was held on Saturday, February 23, at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, Florida.

The DeNemethy Ring was converted to a show jumping ring for human competitors, with people-sized jumps generously provided and custom built by Steve Stephens, Hector Cano and Beval Saddlery Ltd. A total of 134 entries competed in the popular family event, entertaining the large crowd of spectators. With the theme ‘kids helping kids’, all proceeds from the Horseless Horse Show will benefit the children of project sites in Cambodia, Honduras, Senegal, Brazil and Kenya.

In the short stirrup division for children 10 and under, the winner was William Pasmore while Adrian Riesser topped the children’s jumper division for those aged 14 and under. Riesser was also a winner in the Child-Adult Relay, teaming up with Diego Heilbrunn for the victory. JustWorld Rider Ambassador Daniel Bluman of Colombia won the Grand Prix, featuring fences set at a height of 2’9” as well as the Four-Bar competition, setting a new Horseless Horse Show record in the process by successfully clearing 1.50m. All of the division winners will be treated to a course walk for the $75,000 FEI Nations Cup, presented by CN, by 2008 Olympic co-course designer Steve Stephens on Friday, March 7.

Equi Stars, a television production company focusing on feature stories within the equestrian world, was on hand to film the Horseless Horse Show and interviewed JustWorld International Executive Director Jessica Newman, as well as several other Rider Ambassadors and supporters, for an upcoming segment.

“I am so excited with the turnout and success of this fun and entertaining event! It is an activity which brings fun back to the horse shows and allows everyone to participate,” said Newman who sacrificed her own international grand prix riding career in order to focus her efforts on founding JustWorld International. “We have an incredible group of ambassadors and volunteers who put a lot of time and heart into this event and the result was fabulous. I was also very touched by the generosity of all the sponsors who donated prizes. We are already working on our next event, fast approaching on Saturday, March 8, and the enthusiasm is better then ever.”

Participants in the Horseless Horse Show received ribbons as well as prizes from generous sponsors and donors including B&B Saddlery, Belle Herbe Farm, Bluhammock and Bluhorse Clothing, Devoucoux, Dr. Shults Orthodontist, Equestrian Sport Productions, Equifit, Equine Tack and Nutritional, Farmvet, Hadfield’s, the Kluger family, Kocher Tack, Personalised Products, PowerIce, Ryegate, Smartpak, Sportfot, Stephens Jump Designs, Steve Stephens, The Tackeria and Windsor Manor.

JustWorld International would like to thank the more than 50 staff members and volunteers, including 23 JustWorld Rider Ambassadors, for their help and commitment in making the third annual Horseless Horse Show an overwhelming success. Special thanks to Horseless Horse Show judges James Benedetto, Derek Braun, Nick Dello Joio, Michael Morrissey, Jr., Ramiro Quintana and Philip Richter.

The next JustWorld Horseless Horse Show will be held during the CSIO week of the CN Winter Equestrian Festival on Saturday, March 8, in the DeNemethy Ring.

Founded in 2002, JustWorld International raises awareness and funds in the equestrian community to support humanitarian projects that benefit impoverished communities and children in the developing world. Cooperating with local partners, JustWorld International implements sustainable, culturally sensitive education, health and vocational projects. For more information on JustWorld International, please visit www.justworldinternational.org.