A participant on course in the Fourth Annual JustWorld Horseless Horse Show at WEF. Photo by Jack Mancini
Horseless Horse Show participants with their prizes. Photo by Jack Mancini

February 25, 2010 – Wellington, FL – The fourth annual JustWorld International Horseless Horse Show at WEF was held Saturday, February 20, at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL. JustWorld International is a not-for-profit, humanitarian organization working as a catalyst for positive change in the developing world by helping children in impoverished communities. Equestrian Sport Productions, host of the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival, is a JustWorld Horse Show Partner.

Over 100 participants took part in this year’s Horseless Horse Show, which sees children of all ages jumping over human-sized obstacles. In total, $3,817 was raised to support JustWorld project sites in Brazil, Cambodia, Guatemala, Honduras, and Senegal.

Set in the DeNemethy Arena on the WEF showgrounds, international course designer and JustWorld Technical Official Ambassador, Anthony D’Ambrosio, set the tracks comprised of custom sponsor jumps in each of the divisions offered. The Whole Foods Children’s Jumpers division for those aged 14 and under attracted the greatest number of participants, while the popular High Jump competition was broken into two divisions – the ESP High Jump for those under the age of 12 and the Horseware Ireland High Jump for people of all ages.

The Brody Robertson Show Jumps Pair Relay, also open to all ages, had a large field of 22 entries while the Antares Short Stirrup Jumpers division for children aged six to 10 was also popular. The Sportfot Grand Prix, open to those 18 and under, saw an exciting jump-off with fences set at three-foot to end the day. Ribbons and prizes were awarded in every class, and Whole Foods Wellington generously donated snacks and refreshments for all participants.

In total, JustWorld Ambassadors representing eight nations participated in this year’s Horseless Horse Show, both as competitors and as volunteers. Technical Official Ambassadors Neil O’Connor (Ireland) and Cesar Hirsch (Venezuela) acted as starters and timers while Rider Ambassadors Titi Mills (Honduras), Michael Morrissey (USA), and Ramiro Quintana (Argentina) served as judges. Several other Junior, Amateur and Professional Rider Ambassadors also handled horse show duties ranging from entries and announcing to in-gate and jump crew.

A raffle for a Brody Robertson Mini Jump was also held, with second prize being a 15 pound bucket of Paddock Cakes horse treats. Thanks to a group of committed ticket sellers led by Will Pasmore and Bobby Kraut, both aged 11, the raffle brought in $742 to support JustWorld projects.

The “Equestrians Saving for a Just World” piggy bank drive was also launched at the Horseless Horse Show. The brainchild of Lynn Garland, owner of Swan Lake Stables in Littlestown, PA, decorated piggy banks were sold at the Horseless Horse Show and will be returned – full – during JustWorld Week at WEF, running March 10-14.

With show jumping riders around the world signing up to become JustWorld Rider Ambassadors, Executive Director Jessica Newman has mobilized some of the sport's biggest names towards supporting JustWorld’s projects. There are currently over 280 Rider Ambassadors from 34 different countries, ranging from nine-year-old pony riders to Olympic medalists, who help bring attention to JustWorld International’s cause.

Founded in 2003, JustWorld International raises awareness and funds in the equestrian community to support humanitarian projects that benefit impoverished communities and children in the developing world. For more information on JustWorld International, please visit www.justworldinternational.org.