JustWorld Rider Ambassador Francie Steinwedell, center, presents competitors with their prizes. Photo Courtesy of JustWorld International
Participants with their prizes at the sixth annual JustWorld Horseless Horse Show. Photo Courtesy of JustWorld International

February 26, 2011 – Wellington, FL – The sixth annual JustWorld International Horseless Horse Show, presented by The Dutta Corporation, was held Friday, February 18, at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL, was a great success. In total, over $7,475 was raised for JustWorld International’s project sites in Brazil, Cambodia, Guatemala, Honduras, and Senegal.

A total of 129 entries participated in this year’s Horseless Horse Show, which sees children of all ages jumping over human-sized obstacles. The Whole Foods Children’s Jumpers attracted the largest number of entries with a total of 38 children vying for victory. It was Ford Wilt who emerged the winner over Connor Dobbs and Grace Leslie. The Antarès Short Stirrup Jumpers again saw Ford Wilt the winner over 30 other entries. Ella Bostwick placed second while there was a tie for third between Gabrielle Heilbrunn and Emma Fletcher.

The Horseware Ireland Grand Prix had 22 entries, with Leslie Stark taking victory over Adrian Navarro and Christina Kelly. The popular Pair Relay, sponsored by Sportfot, which requires the traditional passing of the baton, attracted 18 entries. In the end, Carolina Salazar and Leslie Stark took top spot over Alex King and Christina Kelly and third-placed finishers Kavan Dobos and Connor Dobos.

The Dutta Corporation High Jump is a fan favorite, as competitors jump higher and higher to decide the winner. Alejandro Karolyi and Luis Fernando Larrazabal tied for the win after both young men successfully cleared 1.55m. Karolyi of Venezuela currently holds the JustWorld Horseless Horse Show High Jump record, having successfully jumped 1.65m on foot during the Horseless Horse Show held at the Bromont International in Quebec, Canada, in July of 2010.

Set in the DeNemethy Arena on the WEF showgrounds, the tracks featured custom sponsor jumps and were designed by JustWorld Technical Official Ambassador Anthony D’Ambrosio. Junior, Amateur and Professional Rider Ambassadors acted as officials, in-gate and jump crew for the competition, assisted by other volunteers. Special thanks to Cesar Hirsch, Neil O’Connor and Judy Covert for judging, and to Judy Howard for announcing the entire event.

“Our annual Horseless Horse Show is one of my favorite fundraising events of the year,” said Jessica Newman, Executive Director of JustWorld International. “It is wonderful for families and friends to come out and have a good time, and to see everyone smiling and having a fun while also supporting JustWorld is all that I can ask for. I would especially like to thank Gallop Home for donating the prizes and Equestrian Sport Productions for allowing us to host the event at this fabulous venue.”

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 more than 400 Rider Ambassadors from 35 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 is a not-for-profit, humanitarian organization working as a catalyst for positive change in the developing world by helping children in impoverished communities. For more information on JustWorld International, please visit www.justworldinternational.org.