American Olympian Steffen Peters riding Ravel competed in the Exquis World Dressage Masters. Photo credit - Ken Braddick

February 17, 2009 – Wellington, Florida – JustWorld International has been named the official charity partner of the Exquis World Dressage Masters. JustWorld International is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of disadvantaged children in the developing world.

Launched in 2008, the World Dressage Masters links the top dressage shows in the world. Five-star events in Palm Beach, Munich and Hickstead comprise this year’s Exquis World Dressage Masters.

With the goal of unity, JustWorld International was the perfect charity choice for the Exquis World Dressage Masters. At each of the shows, JustWorld will have a presence and, at the final event in Hickstead, GBR, from July 23-26, a gala event will be held for the benefit of JustWorld International.

“I am honored that the Exquis World Dressage Masters has chosen JustWorld as its official charity,” said Jessica Newman, Executive Director of JustWorld International. “We have always wanted to develop JustWorld throughout all equestrian disciplines, just as we have in the show jumping industry. I cannot think of a better way to begin our development in the dressage world than to partner with the World Dressage Masters. I am very excited to work together with Sportbizz and Mr. Kies.”

Dressage is an equestrian sport that is accessible around the globe, with riders of every level able to learn the fundamental basics. By showcasing the top horses and riders in the best venues, the goal of the Exquis World Dressage Masters is to spread awareness and raise the profile and visibility of dressage around the world.

Dressage is the mother of the equestrian sport that is accessible around the globe, with riders of every level able to learn the fundamental basics. By showcasing the top horses and riders in the best venues, the Exquis World Dressage Masters tries to be an answer to the growing problems dressage is currently faced with by working together with the major stakeholders in the sport to raise the profile and visibility of dressage around the world. Cooperation and innovation are the key issues that are tackled by combining forces. That is why the success of the Exquis World Dressage Masters will be a mutual success.

“I believe that innovation and cooperation are keys to ensuring a sustainable and successful future for dressage,” said Anthony Kies, CEO of the Exquis World Dressage Masters. “I want to call on the international dressage world to cooperate and make Exquis World Dressage Masters a joint success.”

John van der Laar and Camil Smeulders of Sportbizz led the creation of the Exquis World Dressage Masters.

“In 2006, ideas were formed about the future of dressage and what our role in this could be,” explained van der Laar. “Eventually, in 2008, our ideas matured and were adopted by Mr. Kies of Exquis. This led to a try-out and promotional event in June of 2008 in Cannes, France. We were confirmed in our belief that change could be accomplished. At the same time, we realized that we had to overcome a great deal in convincing the major stakeholders of our plans. The inaugural World Dressage Masters event in Palm Beach was everything we hoped to achieve and an important step in the right direction. Exquis and Moorland have given us the financial guarantee to carry on for three years to create a sustainable future for top level dressage.”

For more information on the Exquis World Dressage Masters, visit www.worlddressagemasters.com. For competition coverage, visit www.phelpssports.com.

Founded in 2002 by former grand prix show jumping competitor Jessica Newman, 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. There are currently 170 rider ambassadors representing JustWorld International in over 24 different countries. Ambassadors donate a portion of their winnings or make annual donations to JustWorld in addition to donating their time and helping to raise funds. For more information on JustWorld International and its upcoming fundraising events, please visit www.justworldinternational.org.