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June 3, 2011 – Kinston, North Carolina and Wellington, Florida – Leading horse blanket and equestrian clothing manufacturer Horseware Ireland has reaffirmed its commitment to JustWorld International, partnering with the not-for-profit humanitarian organization to build another school at JustWorld’s project site, Stung Mean Chey, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

An official JustWorld International sponsor since 2005, Horseware Ireland has committed $25,000 to begin construction on the new school.  Equestrian humanitarian Maria Newman has also donated $10,000 towards the new school’s construction.  In March, Horseware Ireland spearheaded the first annual Strut! Fashion Show held at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival show grounds in Wellington, FL.  Proceeds from the fashion show bring the total raised to date to $35,000 for construction of the new school, which will be a three-story facility.

JustWorld currently operates two schools in Cambodia, one located in Stung Mean Chey, and the other at the Borey Keila project site, situated in an urban slum of Phnom Penh.  There are currently close to 600 students receiving instruction in English, Khmer, math, and traditional Khmer culture free of charge.  In addition to education, the schools provide clean water and basic nutrition to extremely poor families and children who otherwise have almost no resources.

“Year after year we continue to be amazed by the incredible work JustWorld is doing in Cambodia as well as at its other projects sites,” said Horseware Ireland founder Tom MacGuinness.  “I have seen the impact that JustWorld has had first-hand, and I am thankful that we can play a role in bringing hope and a brighter future to children and families in need.”

In addition to donating funds for the school’s construction, Horseware Ireland will also contribute to the new school’s vocational sewing program.  More than 10,000 people live in the slum at the Stung Mean Chey municipal garbage dump, and acquiring vocation skills provide an alternative to scavenging for food in order to feed themselves and their families.

MacGuinness has traveled to Cambodia on several occasions, and has seen first-hand the difference that JustWorld’s work makes in the lives of those it serves to help.  In 2007, MacGuinness helped distribute more than 10,000 life-saving mosquito nets to families at the Stung Mean Chey and Borey Keila project sites through JustWorld’s grassroots partner, People’s Improvement Organization.  The mosquito nets are manufactured using materials found in Horseware Ireland’s fly sheets and, in many cases, provide the only protection that impoverished Cambodian people have against the life-threatening diseases carried by mosquitoes including malaria, dengue fever, and Japanese encephalitis.  A portion of the proceeds from Horseware Ireland’s ‘Rambo Fly Protector Rug’ and ‘Amigo Bug Rug’ blankets are used for the mosquito net project.

Horseware Ireland became JustWorld’s first official sponsor in 2005 after being introduced to the organization by JustWorld Rider Ambassador and Irish Olympian Kevin Babington.  For the past six years, Horseware Ireland has manufactured and donated JustWorld signature show coolers for its Professional Rider Ambassadors.

“Working with our partner in Cambodia, PIO, our goal is to continue providing education, basic health care, nutritional support, and life-skills training to unprivileged children and their families living in the Stung Mean Chey area in a safe, secure, and permanent location,” said Jessica Newman, Executive Director of JustWorld International.  “For the past six years, Horseware Ireland has been extremely supportive of the work that we do, and we can’t thank them enough for the leadership role they have taken in helping us to provide a whole new level of opportunity for the students in Cambodia through the construction of a third school.”

Leading by example, Horseware Ireland has demonstrated corporate social responsibility for other equestrian-related organizations to follow, and has inspired other businesses to become involved with JustWorld International.

With show jumping riders around the world signing up to become JustWorld Rider Ambassadors, 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 raises awareness and funds in the equestrian community to support humanitarian projects that benefit impoverished communities and children in the developing world.  Cooperating with local partners, JustWorld International implements sustainable, culturally sensitive education, health and vocational projects.  For more information on JustWorld International and its upcoming fundraising events, please visit www.justworldinternational.org.

About Horseware Products Ltd.
Tom and Carol MacGuinness founded Horseware Products Ltd. determined to produce a turnout rug that didn’t leak, slip or cause the horse to sweat.  In 1985, they revolutionized the industry with the introduction of the Rambo Original – the first fully waterproof and breathable turnout that really worked.  By 1996 the Rambo had become the world’s best selling Turnout rug and its design has become the industry standard in production, quality and development.

Since then, Horseware’s key policy of ‘Innovation not Imitation’ has led the company to create the Rhino and Amigo lines of horse clothing based on the original Rambo design, and several lines of equestrian lifestyle clothing.  For more information on Horseware Ireland and its products, please visit www.horseware.com.

Contact: Jennifer Ward
Starting Gate Communications
Tel: (613) 569-2423

Candace FitzGerald
Dobbin Group
Tel:  (603) 738-2788