Reed Kessler Awarded Distinguished Longines Ladies Awards for Exemplary Dedication to JustWorld
CLICK TO WATCH VIDEOReed Kessler was one of the four recipients of the Longines Ladies Awards who was honored during a ceremony hosted by the Swiss watchmaker Longines and attended by members of the global equestrian community. Kessler, who became the youngest show jumper ever to compete in the Olympic Games for the United States, has used her status to give back to charity. For nearly twelve years she has been an Ambassador and donor to JustWorld International, riding to raise awareness and give children around the world a brighter future.Held for the fifth consecutive year, the Longines Ladies Awards ceremony pays tribute to eminent women’s careers, dedicated to positive influence and exceptional commitment to the equine cause. This international acknowledgement was presented by a jury featuring three leaders in the equestrian world; The International Federation of Horseracing Authorities Chairman Louis Romanet, former president of the International Federation of Gentlemen and Lady Riders Nathalie Belinguer, and Fédération Equestre Internationale President Ingmar De Vos presented Reed with an elegant Longines timepiece, along with a $10,000 donation to her charity of choice. "I'm very grateful for Longines' donation to JustWorld in my name," says Reed, "JustWorld is very close to my heart. It's a fantastic opportunity for equestrians because with our non-stop show schedules it's really difficult to find the time and lose sight of the big picture."With Reed’s busy competition schedule, it’s difficult to imagine that Reed has time for anything else, but this rider is also a dedicated philanthropist and makes it a priority to find time to help those less fortunate through her work as a JustWorld Rider Ambassador. At the age of fourteen, Reed traveled to JustWorld’s partner project in Honduras. It was this trip that cemented her commitment as a JustWorld Ambassador. “It was an eye-opening experience. Seeing the conditions these kids live in really makes you appreciate what you have and how lucky we all are. It seems like it’s so far away from you, but once you’re there and you see it for yourself, it’s hard to forget.”Looking back at her involvement with JustWorld, she shared, “I think it is really important to step back outside our sport and remember the bigger picture. We are very fortunate to get to not only just pursue our passion in our sport but to live a very comfortable lifestyle that is not available to most of the world. While we are all extremely busy working at our sport, being an Ambassador for JustWorld gives us an opportunity to help, by drawing attention to the organization while carrying on our demanding schedules. I’m proud to be able to look back and not just see riding achievements, but also that I could improve the lives of impoverished children as well.”From riders to corporations, everyone can do their part to give back. Longines and Ambassador Reed Kessler serve as an exceptional model for others to join in making a difference in the world. "I'm thrilled that Longines has stepped up and has given this donation in my name. It was the first thing that came to mind when they asked me who would you like to give this to, I said "Of course, JustWorld!" Reed added.A heartfelt thanks to both of these tremendous supporters and a shining example of how you can make an impact in the lives of so many around the world by supporting JustWorld.
About Longines
Longines has been based at Saint-Imier in Switzerland since 1832. Its watchmaking expertise reflects a strong devotion to tradition, elegance and performance. Longines has generations of experience as official timekeeper of world championships and as partner of international sports federation. Known for the elegance of its timepieces, Longines is a member of Swatch Group Ltd, the World’s leading manufacturer of horological products. With the winged hourglass as its emblem, the brand has outlets in over 150 countries.