THE RIDER EXTRA APRIL 2010 / 21

JustWorld International ‘Horseless Horse Show’ is a Huge Success

Wellington, Florida – The fourth annual JustWorld Inter- national Horseless Horse Show at WEF was held Saturday, February 20, at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival in Welling- ton, FL. JustWorld Internation- al is a not-for-profit, humanitar- ian organization working as a catalyst for positive change in the developing world by help- ing 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 chil- dren of all ages jumping over human-sized obstacles. In total, $3,817 was raised to sup- port JustWorld project sites in Brazil, Cambodia, Guatemala, Honduras, and Senegal. Set in the DeNemethy Arena on the WEF show- grounds, international course designer and JustWorld Tech- nical 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 divi- sion for those aged 14 and under attracted the greatest number of participants, while the popular High Jump compe- tition was broken into two divi- sions – the ESP High Jump for

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 gen- erously donated snacks and refreshments for all partici- pants.

In total, JustWorld Ambas- sadors representing eight nations participated in this year’s Horseless Horse Show, both as competitors and as vol- unteers. Technical Official Ambassadors Neil O’Connor (Ireland) and Cesar Hirsch (Venezuela) acted as starters

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 sell- ers led by Will Pasmore and Bobby Kraut, both aged 11, the raffle brought in $742 to sup- port 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

It’s No Longer A Mystery-

Writer Tami Hoag Wins $10,000 Dressage Under The Stars Finale at The Players Club

Wellington, FL (March 23, 2010) – Tami Hoag consistently entertains fans with her spine-tingling mystery novels, and during the finale of the 2010 Top Shelf Dressage Under the Stars compe- tition Hoag proved that she can also thrill the crowd and the judges while in the dressage ring. Hoag, a New York Times bestselling author and profes- sional dressage rider, rode away the winner of the much-anticipated Dres- sage Under the Stars finale held at the Players Club & Restaurant in Welling- ton, featuring over $10,000 in prizes. Hoag rode Feliki, her 23-year-old Grand Prix mare, to the victory, riding away with armfuls of prizes from gen- erous sponsors, as well as a $2,500 check from the Players Club and a brand new dressage saddle from Cus- tom Saddlery, valued at $3,600. “Feliki gave us a great performance and she certainly doesn’t act her age,” said Neil Hirsch, owner of the Players Club. Feli- ki was decked out in sparkles from head to toe. Her coat and her hooves were sparkly and she topped off her look with a gold curb rein.

Hoag was ecstatic about the win, “ It was awesome, I was so proud of Feli- ki”, exclaimed Hoag. “And the prizes were impressive. We just don’t have many dressage competitions that offer this level of prizes and it was so much fun”, added Hoag. Hoag braved coming out to compete as she was just recuper- ating from a flu. In addition, the weath- er had been cool and rainy in the after-

“A participant on course in the Fourth Annual JustWorld Horse- less Horse Show at WEF.” Photo Credits – Jack Mancini

Horseless Horse Show and will be returned – full – during Just- World Week at WEF, running March 10-14.

dle and did tempi changes with only one hand, while Olympian Bent Jensen had everyone laughing thanks to his all white outfit complete with white patent stiletto heels.

There was a star-studded line-up of judges at the finale also, including USDF President George Williams, famous equine photographer Susan Stickle from Hoofprints, and Combined Driver Chester Weber, the seven-time US National Four-In-Hand Champion. Many of the event’s sponsors were also in attendance and helped hand out prizes in the awards ceremony. “The atmosphere was fantastic and everyone really had a good time. All in all, I would say the 2010 Dressage Under the Stars series was a huge success”, said Hirsch.

Hirsch thanked all of the sponsors for their generous contributions to the Dressage Under the Stars series, includ- ing Absolut Vodka, Perrier Joulet, and Patron. “It was great to award a hand- crafted dressage saddle to our winner thanks to Custom Saddlery,” Hirsch said, “The high quality prizes our spon- sors provided really added to the excite- ment.” Custom Saddlery is well known in the equestrian community for their wonderfully made saddles and famous dressage clients including Steffen Peters, Sue Blinks and Hilda Gurney. Hirsch also thanked the sponsors who supported the riders throughout the whole series with donations of saddle pads, coolers, supplements and gift cer-

“Horseless Horse Show participants with their prizes.” Photo Credits – Jack Mancini

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

and timers while Rider Ambas- sadors Titi Mills (Honduras), Michael Morrissey (USA), and Ramiro Quintana (Argentina) served as judges. Several other Junior, Amateur and Profes- sional Rider Ambassadors also handled horse show duties ranging from entries and announcing to in-gate and jump

With show jumping riders around the world signing up to become JustWorld Rider Ambassadors, Executive Direc- tor Jessica Newman has mobi- lized some of the sport’s biggest names towards support- ing 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.

Tami Hoag on Feliki (center) won the 2010 Top Shelf Dressage Under the Stars Finale at the Players Club Bar & Restaurant in Wellington. Hoag won $10,000 worth of prizes, a $2,500 check from the Players Club and a custom made saddle from Custom Saddlery. (Photo courtesy of Frederic Roy)

Founded in 2003, Just- World International raises awareness and funds in the equestrian community to sup- port humanitarian projects that benefit impoverished communi- ties and children in the devel- oping world. For more informa- tion on JustWorld International, please visit www.justworldin- ternational.org.

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noon, but Hoag wanted to compete. By 5 PM the night of the Finale the arena footing was perfect and Hoag said “game on”. It was a gamble that paid off handsomely for Hoag and Feliki put on show that will not soon be forgotten. Betsy Rebar Sell, who co-owns Sho Clothes dressage boutique with Michele Hundt, finished second on her Pan Am winning partner Wonderful Walden, who wore sparkling green polo wraps honor of St Patrick’s day. Rebar Sell’s helmet featured flashing lights, as did Walden’s browband. Rebar Sell wasn’t the only rider sporting a unique outfit, as Leah Wilson wore a pink leo- tard with a tutu and even danced on her horse.

tificates. The series sponsors were Cav- alor Feed, SmartPak, Succeed, The Wellington Institute, and Der Dau Boots.

A special thanks to all the sponsors who made the Finale prize one of the richest prizes in dressage this season; Draper Equine Therapy, Sho Clothes, Tackeria, Moxie, Elite Horse Transport, The Sanctuary Equine Sports Therapy & Rehabilitation Center, TailRx, Choice of Champions, Equilite, the makers of Sore No More, Der Dau, SmartPak, Succeed, Cavalor Feed, Diane Scasser, Idlewild Furnishing, The Wellington Institute, Dressage Training Online and Custom Saddlery.

“The contestants really went the extra mile in the finale to put on a great show,” Hirsch comment. Canadian Olympian Jacquie Brooks disguised as “Dixie Brooks” rode in a western sad-

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