Wellington, FL -  The night of the 10th Annual JustWorld International Gala was alive with mystery as the national and international equestrian communities came together for a brilliant masquerade at Belle Herbe Farm in Wellington, FL. The ambiance of the evening was that of a Renaissance European painting, and the event itself is one for the history books. With over $420,000 raised for the nonprofit organization, the masquerade marks a momentous stride in JustWorld's history, not only as their most successful gala to date, but also the commemoration of 10 years. The celebratory evening included heartwarming presentations, an elegant dinner with gourmet food stations, a silent auction, and a live auction.

Belle Herbe Farm was transformed into the Venetian destination of dreams. With the help of Regency Party Rentals & Production, a massive tent was erected in the grass field, and a red carpet welcomed the mysterious guests of the evening to the 10th Annual JustWorld International Gala. The night would not have been a possibility without the generosity of presenting sponsors FTI Consulting, Inc., as well as Caryl Philips and Frank Zeiss. Whole Foods Market of Wellington sponsored the food for the evening, donating hors d'oeuvres, main entrées and dessert for the party of over 650 guests. Liquor and wine was generously provided by The Grille Fashion Cuisine, Oli's Fashion Cuisine, and The Seahorse Fashion Cuisine group of restaurants.

Whole Foods Market Wellington's Lauren Belinsky and JustWorld International Executive Director Jessica Newman. Photo by SportFot

Following the opening remarks, Rocco Mangel, owner of the local Rocco's Tacos, stepped up to emcee the event. He introduced the event with MBPtv's beautifully documented video describing JustWorld and the work they do across the globe. He then introduced the JustWorld Ambassador driven initiative Team Challenge, donating $1,000 himself to the teams. Guests in turn raised their hands left and right to donate to their favorite team, benefiting impoverished children in the localities within Honduras, Cambodia and Guatemala. It was Christie's Professional Auctioneer George McNeely who stepped up to the podium next. With his assistance and charisma, the live auction was a huge success.

Nic Roldan, Rocco Mangel and Brandon Phillips

It was the Artisan Farms Package that proved to be the highlight of the auction for two bidders. Pre-registered from Sweden, one woman stayed on the phone throughout the duration of the bidding to win a day at Artisan Farms and take a private riding lesson with the Olympic Gold Medalist Eric Lamaze. Although she was outbid by John Edwards and Matt Varney, Lamaze stepped forward and offered a private riding lesson for the second highest amount, going to the pre-registered international bidder--a dream come true. Anabelle Garrett became part of the heated bidding to capture  the Polo Package with Nic Roldan, Brandon Phillips and Chris Kampsen. Garrett and three friends will have the opportunity to take five private polo lessons with the professional players. She will also be able to bring a group of friends to Rocco's Tacos for a tequila tasting and dinner with the three polo players. As a highlight of the silent auction, Nick Skelton donated his helmet from the 2012 London Olympic Games, a piece of history that had the bidders scribbling furiously for the chance to take home. 

Eric Lamaze and Carlene Ziegler

The 10th Annual JustWorld International Gala was the highlight of the social season, welcoming over 650 guests to the beautiful masquerade, which commemorated 10 years of striving for a just world. The organization thanks all sponsors, supporters and newcomers to the event and organization, gracious for their passion to see JustWorld accomplish its mission.

Founded in 2003 by Jessica Newman, JustWorld International is a not-for-profit, humanitarian organization, which funds life-changing nutrition, health and hygiene, education, as well as leadership and cultural development programs for impoverished children in Cambodia, Honduras and Guatemala.  There are currently more than 500 Rider and Technical Official Ambassadors representing 40 different countries, whose efforts to support JustWorld's projects have raised in excess of $6 million to date.  For more information on JustWorld, please visit www.justworldinternational.org.

Nick Skelton and Laura Kraut

Sponsors and Event Partners:

Co-Presenting Sponsors: FTI Consulting, Inc. and Caryl Philips and Frank Zeiss

FTI Consulting, Inc.

http://www.fticonsulting.com/ 

Caryl Philips and Frank Zeiss

Whole Foods Market

 http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/ 

Regency Party Rental & Production

 http://www.regencyparty.com/ 

Liquor and wine generously provided by The Grille Fashion Cuisine, Oli's Fashion Cuisine, and The Seahorse Fashion Cuisine group of restaurants

 http://www.thegrillefashioncuisine.com/ 

http://www.oliswellington.com/  

http://www.seahorsefashioncuisine.com/   

SportFot

http://www.sportfot.com/  

Wellington Golf Cars

http://www.wellingtongolfcars.com/ 

MBPtv

http://www.mbptv.com/

Belle Herbe Farm

Dazzle Creative Events

 http://dazzlevents.com/ 

CASCO

 http://www.casco-helme.de/ 

Pilla Sport

http://www.pillasport.com/