Canadian Show Jumping Team member Yann Candele takes a jump in the JustWorld Horseless Horse Show. Photo by Debra Jamroz
Matthew Delorme, Phillip Rozon, Josh Delorme, and Jack Deslauriers on course at the beautiful Le Royal Bromont golf course.
Competitors at the start of the JustWorld Rider 'Run-Off.

August 13, 2010 – Bromont, Quebec – JustWorld International staged numerous awareness and fundraising activities during the annual CSI L’International Bromont show jumping tournament held in July in Bromont, QC. The Canadian equestrian community came together to raise more than $6,000 in total for JustWorld International, a not-for-profit, humanitarian organization working as a catalyst for positive change in the developing world by helping impoverished children.

On Monday, July 26, the second annual golf tournament organized by JustWorld Technical Official Ambassador Phillip Rozon, an international judge from Canada, was held at the beautiful Le Royal Bromont as part of the fundraiser events benefitting JustWorld International. Equestrians came together and raised more than $4,000 for JustWorld project sites in Brazil, Cambodia, Guatemala, Honduras and Senegal, while also having a great day of fun in the sun.

“JustWorld International is such a great humanitarian organization,” said Rozon. “Its projects involve getting grassroots efforts started in places that can be overlooked on a global scale. JustWorld’s efforts succeed in not only helping children directly, but also in raising awareness about the problems that do exist.”

Motivated by JustWorld and its mission, Rozon developed the golf tournament as a means of bringing together the show jumping community while, at the same time, raising awareness and funds for JustWorld International.

“Rather than simply writing a check, my wife, Susan, and I feel that organizing and supporting this fundraising golf tournament helps make other people aware of all the great work that Jessica Newman and her team at JustWorld International are doing,” explained Rozon. “Susan and I are both so passionate about JustWorld’s cause, and that is why Susan’s company, Burkman Capital Corp., sponsored the three IPads that made for enticing prizes.”

In addition to the IPads, JustWorld partner, Ogilvy Equestrian, provided two state-of-the-art saddle pads while Roger Deslauriers and the L’International Bromont organizing committee provided two VIP tickets to ‘Cavalia.’ All golf tournament participants were given a genuine leather belt courtesy of Landes.

Over at the L’International Bromont horse show, JustWorld’s signature Horseless Horse Show was held, along with a ‘Rider Run-Off'’ and an impromptu High Jump competition The beautifully renovated grounds at the Bromont Olympic Equestrian Park provided a wonderful location for the fundraising activities.

On Saturday, July 24, JustWorld’s popular Horseless Horse Show, which sees people compete on foot over miniature jumps, raised $866 for JustWorld International. The course was designed by FEI ‘I’ course designer Catalina Cruz of Mexico while Rozon, Cathy Harper and Rosemary Ockendon acted as judges and Geoff Morgan was on the microphone.

People of all ages took turns competing over the courses in the various divisions including Short Stirrup, Children’s Jumpers, and the High Jump competition. However, it was the Pair Relay that provided the most entertainment with such well-known equestrian figures as Yann Candele and Jay Hayes, longtime JustWorld supporters Maria Newman and Mike Lawrence, and even show organizer Roger Deslauriers racing over the jumps and passing off the baton to their partners.

During the second week of L’International Bromont, the 'Rider Run-Off' was held along with a corn roast at the Exhibitor's Party. The 'Rider Run-Off,’ featuring a course designed by JustWorld Technical Official Ambassador Guilherme Jorge of Brazil that made use of the natural obstacles such as the bank, saw grand prix riders competing in a foot race, making for some fun entertainment. The competition was fierce, with false starts, and some good-natured pushing and pulling between the high-profile competitors. Spectators chose their favorites and placed their bets, raising $960 for JustWorld International in the process. Canadian Paul Halpern won out, with Quebec's Francois Lamontagne hot on his heels, and Mario Deslauriers taking third. Yann Candele, Alejandro Karolyi, Jenn Serek, Jenna Thompson, Leslie Howard, Isabelle Lapierre and Jay Hayes made up the rest of the starting field.

The friendly competitive spirit then inspired an impromptu Horseless Horse Show High Jump competition. Alejandro Karolyi of Venezuela and Canada’s own Ben Halpern set a new JustWorld International record by successfully clearing 1.65m, breaking the long-standing record of 1.60m set by Rider Ambassador Daniel Bluman of Colombia.

“What is so wonderful about the events organized at L’International Bromont was that everyone was able to participate,” said Jessica Newman, Executive Director of JustWorld International, who was on-hand to witness the fun in person. “It did not matter if you were a rider, owner, show manager, jump crew, official, parent or child, there was something for everyone. It was great to see so many different sectors of the equestrian world coming together to support JustWorld, and having a lot of fun in the process. I would like to especially thank Phillip Rozon for spearheading this initiative, and Roger Deslauriers and his team for supporting JustWorld and inviting us to be part of this very special horse show.”

Founded in 2002 by former grand prix 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. For more information on JustWorld International and its upcoming fundraising events, or details on new project adoption opportunities, please visit www.justworldinternational.org.