The winner of the High Jump competition in the JustWorld Horseless Horse Show held Saturday, August 22, in Langley, BC. Photo by Totem Photographics

August 24, 2009 – Langley, BC – There were fences, courses and a lot of competitors, but not a horse to be found in Saturday’s Horseless Horse Show at Thunderbird Show Park in Langley, BC. Children, adults and a number of the Thunderbird staff competed on foot over fences to raise money for JustWorld International and its Honduras Educational Supplies Project.

The Horseless Horse Show invited children of all ages to compete on foot in a variety of different classes including Children’s Hunter, Children’s Jumper, Pair Relay Jumpers and an amazing High Jump class. Competition got underway with a colourful course of miniature fences. Competitors ran individually and in teams, completing the course and racking up faults along the way.

There were many clear rounds, some very creative horseless canters, and even a few refusals as competitors got too close to their fence and needed to circle to get another run at it. Park CEO and Tournament President, Jane Tidball, alongside International Grand Prix course designer, Peter Holmes, competed in the team event and the Thunderbird ring crew put on a great show.

The most exciting class of the day was the High Jump event. Over a dozen eager participants started out at three feet. Most made it through several rounds, but as the jump climbed up over four feet, there were fewer ‘jumpers’ able to get up and over. The field was eventually narrowed down to just three. In the end, the JustWorld record of 5’4” was broken by Jeremy, who got over the fence at 5’9”.

Through the Horseless Horse Show and silent auction, Thunderbird Show Park raised $4,800 for the cause. JustWorld International Executive Director Jessica Newman accepted the cheque in front of the assembled crowd for Sunday’s $75,000 Keg Steakhouse & Bar Grand Prix.

“Thank you for all your support,” Newman told the audience. “I look forward to a long partnership with Thunderbird Show Park.”

Entertaining and fun for competitors and spectators alike, the Horseless Horse Show has become one of JustWorld’s trademark fundraising events. Through the Honduras Educational Supplies Project, JustWorld International raises funds to provide uniforms, books, notepads, pens, pencils, erasers and dictionaries that enable effective learning.

JustWorld International also supports several other grassroots projects in Honduras, including scholarships for high-achieving students, a mobile library that offers literacy programs and access to books, and a painting program for at-risk youth. In order to house these growing programs, JustWorld is building a community center where they can all be administered together under one roof.

Founded in 2002 by Jessica Newman, JustWorld International has worked to bring together the equestrian community and others with the goal of improving the lives of disadvantaged children in the developing world. With show jumping riders around the globe signing up to become JustWorld Rider Ambassadors, Newman has mobilized some of the sport's biggest names towards supporting JustWorld’s projects in Brazil, Cambodia, Guatemala, Honduras, and Kenya. There are currently over 200 Rider Ambassadors from 27 different countries, ranging from nine-year-old pony riders to Olympic medalists, who help bring attention to JustWorld International’s cause.

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 and its upcoming fundraising events, please visit www.justworldinternational.org.