Roger and Mario Deslauriers at L’International Bromont show jumping tournament held July 18 to 22 and July 25 to 29 in Bromont, Quebec. Photo by François Gougeon, La Tribune
Participants in the fourth annual JustWorld International Benefit Golf Tournament held on Monday, July 23. From left to right: Sébastien Desourdy, Nick Dello Joio, Jack Deslauriers and Mario Deslauriers. Photo courtesy of JustWorld International

August 7, 2012 – Bromont, QC – It was all about fierce competition, friendly rivalries and fun during the annual L’International Bromont show jumping tournament in Bromont, Quebec, as JustWorld International supporters staged a series of fundraising activities throughout the two-week competition, held July 18 to 22 and July 25 to 29. The Canadian equestrian community came together to raise $12,949 for JustWorld International, a not-for-profit, humanitarian organization working as a catalyst for positive change in the developing world by helping impoverished children.

The popular Horseless Horse Show kicked off the fundraising efforts on Saturday, July 21, raising more than $500 for JustWorld’s project sites in Cambodia, Honduras, Guatemala, and Brazil. Competitors raced around a course of obstacles on foot, attempting to leave all the jumps in place while finishing in the fastest time.

On Monday, July 23, the fourth annual JustWorld International Benefit Golf Tournament, sponsored by Samuel & Fils & CIE (Quebec) and the Samuel Group of Companies, and organized by JustWorld Technical Official Ambassador Phillip Rozon, an international judge from Canada, was held at the beautiful Chateau Bromont Golf Course, followed by a delectable dinner, raffle and live auction at ‘La Trattoria’ restaurant at Auberge Chateau Bromont.

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.

“Before getting involved with JustWorld, my wife, who is an investment banker, looked carefully at JustWorld and did comparisons,” said Rozon, who is one of JustWorld International’s original Technical Official Ambassadors. “She couldn’t find any other charitable organization that even came close to JustWorld in terms of the percentage of the amount raised and the amount that goes directly to its projects. Founder Jessica Newman’s dedication is remarkable, and after seeing how devoted she was, we had to get involved. It’s amazing how much so little can really help these children. There’s no safety net in these countries. If you don’t have money, you don’t eat. What Jessica is doing is truly remarkable, and I’m delighted to be a part of it.”

Teams comprised of various members of the equestrian community took to the fairways to raise funds and earn great prizes. Emile Beaulieu and Steve Bodi, both members of the team fielded by the Samuel Group, tied for the top score of the tournament with an impressive 76. All the participants received a leather golf belt courtesy of Landes Belts, and swag donated by The Samuel Group.

“With the Olympics happening so close to the start of the show, the field was a little smaller in the golf tournament than in previous years, but that didn’t stop us” explained Rozon. “We had great support from our sponsors and we were still able to raise the same amount, or even a little more, than last year’s tournament, and everyone had such a great time doing it!”

Raffle winners included Michel Daviau, who took home the ready-to-play SkyCaddie Rangefinder, generously donated by Burkman Capital Corp; Lisa Rozon who won a signed reproduction of Claude Le Sauteur’s painting “L’humour Noire” donated by Alain Cousineau, and Susan Burkman who claimed a dinner for two at Le Macpherson.

The highlight of the evening was the live auction of a giclée of Kim Penner’s Hickstead ‘Moment in Time’, signed by Canadian Olympic Champion and JustWorld Rider Ambassador, Eric Lamaze. Susan Burkman, Lisa Rozon, Roger Deslauriers and Dagmar Scherff, placed the winning bid. The group plans to put the iconic piece of artwork on display at the Parc Équestre Bromont, where future competitors and spectators at the L’International Bromont show jumping tournament will have the opportunity to see it.

During the second week of L’International Bromont, the Horseless Speed Derby, held on Thursday, July 26, saw grand prix riders competing in a foot race over a course designed by Canadian Pierre Burch. The competition was fierce between the high-profile competitors, making for some fun entertainment for spectators, who had the chance to choose their favorites and place bets, raising even more money for JustWorld International in the process.

In the end, Francois Lamontagne proved too quick to catch, with his younger brother, Hubert Lamontagne, finishing second and Ben Asselin taking third. Maude Boulanger-Bouchard, Lauren Hayes, Natalie Bova, Lauren Hunkin and Agatha D’Ambra made up the rest of the starting field. As the winner, Francois received a voucher for one stall at the 2013 L’International Bromont, while the other competitors received prizes generously donated by Ogilvy Equestrian.

Maya Frati won two VIP passes for the second week of L’International Bromont after betting on Francois to win. Amy Masterson also received gift certificates for a custom pair of ProChaps and to the Bromont Souvenir Shop for her winning wager.

Other fundraising initiatives included sales of JustWorld hand sanitizer, created and sold by the Bolduc Family, and JustWorld bracelets, created and sold by Lauren and Aylen Ferguson and Abby McCorriston.

“We are proud to be partnered with JustWorld International,” said L’International Bromont Show Manager Roger Deslauriers. “We like the work they do and want to support it as much as we can. For us, it’s a good opportunity to do our share and we look forward to continuing our relationship with JustWorld International in the years to come.”

Founded in 2003 by Jessica Newman, JustWorld International is a not-for-profit, humanitarian organization which funds life-changing nutrition, health and hygiene, education, and leadership and cultural development programs for impoverished children in Cambodia, Honduras, Guatemala, and Brazil. There are currently more than 500 Rider and Technical Official Ambassadors representing 40 different countries, whose efforts to support JustWorld’s projects have helped raise more than $4.5 million to date. For more information on JustWorld International, or how to support the ‘Adopt a Project’ campaign, please visit www.justworldinternational.org .