Daniela Stransky Wins Gold at Americas Jumping Championsips & Supports Somalia Famine Victims

Aug. 10, 2011 - PRLog -- Daniela Stransky, the 15 year old equestrian from Stransky's Mission Farm who champions the Step by Step Foundation in competition, piloted her gelding Ikarus to the junior jumper Best Individual Rider Gold medal during the final weekend of the 2011 FEI Americas Jumping Championships held in Guayaquil, Ecuador from July 26 to 31, 2011.  As a member of  the "Team Step By Step," a group of international riders who represent the charity while competing in at international horse shows,  Daniela not only rides for ribbons but also to raise awareness for children in need around the world, most recently for the victims of famine in Somalia.

The FEI Americas Jumping Championships were hosted by the Ecuador Equestrian Federation and the teen represented her native Venezuela for the first time.  Stransky competed over double courses designed by Mrs. Marina Acevedo of Brazil on Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday.  The Miami Dade County High School student took top honors aboard her big gray, who she has piloted to to numerous championships at top horse shows in America in the Junior Division.

More than 85 top young show jumping riders, age 12 to 21, came from over a dozen countries including Colombia, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Canada and the United States to compete at the prestigious event.   The teen's trainer, grand prix veteran Hector Florentino of the Domican Republic, who both coaches and is the head rider for the family's stables Stransky's Mission Farm in Wellington, Florida, explained "Daniela  just kept getting better and better as the days continued. The courses were set at 1.40 meters, and the competitors in her division were a bunch of very talented young riders.  We are all very excited about Daniela's performance, her results, and the future."  Florentino is set to compete in the HITS-on-the-Hudson million dollar grand prix on Stransky's Mission Farm's bay gelding Ultimo this fall.

Daniela's mother Liliane, the stable owner and founder of the international children's charity Step by Step (www.stepbystepfoundation.com) was in the crowd cheering her daughter on during each rounds..  "The facility was beautiful and the atmosphere great," exclaimed Liliane. "It is an honor to have my daughter represent Venezuela, and we are so very proud that she had such success her first time here.  The fact that Daniela is representing the Step By Step Foundation and raising awareness and funds for the charity makes each victory even more satisfying."  

FEI officials including Doris Fihman, Anabell Simon and Cesar Hirsh of Venezuela, Michell Temple of Brazil, Julio Carrasco and Ana Luis Sandobal of Ecuador as well as Mexcico, Colombia, Chile and Argentina were also there to support the young riders during the Championship.

For further information, photos or to set up interviews please contact Sydney Masters via email sydneymasters2@yahoo.com.

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Step by Step Foundation, Inc., is a registered 501 (c) (3) not for profit organization registered in the State of Florida with headquarters at 240 Old Federal Hwy, Suite 130, Hallandale, FL 33009. Step By Step email: info@stepbystepfoundation.com/Tel: 954-455-9922.