Horse-Less Show Jumping Classes to Benefit Underpriviledged Kids Around the World

This weekend, the National Capital Show Jumping Tournament in Ottawa, Ontario will feature a "Horse-Less" Show Jumping Competition in which human competitors of all ages tackle miniaturized horse show jumps on foot. The crowd-pleasing competition, which has classes ranging from Short Stirrup to Grand Prix at the height of 3' (on a course full of creative sponsored jumps designed by Guilherme Jorge of Brazil) will raise funds for JustWorld International, a nonprofit organization that provides short-term assistance to developing countries with the hopes of breaking the cycle of poverty. JustWorld improves the quality of life and education for children in Brazil, Cambodia, Honduras, Kenya, Mexico, and Senegal. JustWorld was founded in 2002 by former Grand Prix Show Jumper Jessica Newman. High performance equestrians from around the world can sign up to become Rider Ambassadors who wear the JustWorld colors on their jackets and saddle pads, helping to bring attention to the causes of the organization.

The Horse Less Horse show classes will be held in the US later this month at the Hampton Classic Horse Show in New York.

For more information about JustWorld or to find out how you can become a sponsor or a rider ambassador, please visit http://www.justworldinternational.org/ or contact Executive Director Jessica Newman at jnewman@justworldinternational.org.


Photo credit: www.startinggate.ca

Star Athlete Profile: Combined Driver Chester Webber

Chester Weber won the four-in-hand division at the Sunshine State Combined Driving Event at the Florida Horse Park last weekend.
I have been admiring Webber since seeing his exhibition at the Washington International Horse Show in D.C. last October. The four-in-hand dressage is really something to see...a really impressive example of obedience and submission.


In 2008, Webber became the first American to win an individual medal the Four-In-Hand World Championship, held in the Netherlands. He was also named Equestrian of Honor by the United States Equestrian Federation for dominating most of the combined driving divisions throughout 2008. One of his competition horses, Jamaica, was named 2008 Horse of Honor. Jamaica was a former tourist carriage horse rescued from the slaughterhouse and trained by Webber into a world class combined driving athlete.

Webber intends to qualify for the 2010 Alltech FEI Word Equestrian Games to be held right here in the states at the Kentucky Horse Park. Tickets go on sale beginning September 25, 2009.