44 SIDELINES SEPTEMBER 2012
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
In the high fying world of international show jumping, horses
and fundraising have proven to be a winning combination. Taking
note, Liliane Stransky, the President and founder of the Step
by Step Foundation and owner of Stransky’s Mission Farm in
Wellington, Florida, enlisted the talents of riders of all ages, levels
and backgrounds to help spread the word and make change
possible for children in need.
Liliane, who emigrated from Venezuela in 2000, has always
had a passion for helping people as well as a love of horses.
Now living in Miami Beach, Florida, she launched the Step
by Step Foundation in 2004 to assist underprivileged children
living in poverty. Her goal was simple and yet overwhelming; to
raise awareness and secure funds to create and support health,
nutrition, water, education and other sustainable programs both
in communities in America as well as impoverished countries
abroad.
It was on a youth mission in Haiti in 2009 that her youngest
daughter, Daniela, an avid equestrian moving up the show
jumping ranks, came up with the idea of uniting a “team” of youth
ambassadors. Over the years Daniela, now 15, has donated
her winnings, secured in-kind donations, and encouraged her
friends and peers to jump on the bandwagon and do the same. In
2010, Liliane formalized the efforts of the riders who had jumped
behind the charity by introducing “Team Step by Step,” a lineup
of talented riders, including children, juniors, adults, amateurs and
professionals from the U.S. and abroad who champion the charity
every time they enter the show ring.
“It’s amazing how many kids wanted to help and to be involved,”
smiled Liliane. “They take the reins into their own hands and
spread the word to all their friends, from horse show to horse show,
country to country. I think they are not only the next generation of
stars in the show ring; but also the philanthropists of the future.”
“When I am able to win on any of my horses, it means so much
more than just a ribbon and trophy,” explained Daniela, who has
represented the charity here and also in South America and
Europe. “It is great when I win,” added her stable mate, Jose F.
Bonetti, 15, who hails from the Dominican Republic and carries
the torch for the charity.
Venezuelan rider Emanuel Andrade, 15, who trains with Angel
e
Karolyi at Hollow Creek Farm in Aiken, South Carolina, added,
“For me, being part of a team like this makes me feel I am actually
making a real difference in kids lives who are less fortunate than
myself.”
Not all of the riders are juniors and the roster boasts leading
adults, amateurs and professionals. Supporters of the charity
include many bold faced names from the Grand Prix ranks,
including Olympic veteran Margie Engle, Jimmy Torano, Hillary
Dobbs, Hector Florentino, Alejandro Karolyi, Kate Levy, Juan
Oritz and Diego Muyshondt. “The equestrian community is an
international one,” stated Margie, a 10 time AGA Rider of the Year
and Step By Step Board Member. “We want to support children
from all countries who need our assistance, especially children
with disabilities.”
The grassroots program is truly youth driven and many of the
younger riders have reached out to Liliane to be a part of the
“Team” via Facebook. “There isn’t a fee involved and all that we
ask is that they have a true desire to make a change in the world.
We provide the riders with the Step by Step logo for their jackets
and saddle pads.”
“Coming from a Haitian background,” explained Krystoff
Carvonas, a 21 year old Amateur Owner jumper rider from Haiti
who trains with Jimmy Torano at Jet Show Stables, “I was intrigued
by the work that Liliane (Stransky) was doing to help the kids in
need in my country.”
In or out of the saddle, on or off a horse, the members of “Team
Step by Step” are working hard to make a difference, one jump,
one class, one dollar, one child, at a time! For more information,
visit www.stepbystepfoundation.com.
Making a change in the world: Emanuel Andrade, Daniela
Stransky and Jose Fernando Bonetti walk the course in their
Step by Step jackets
Photo by Liliane Stransky/Step by Step
Liliane Stransky, left, the President and founder of the Step by
Step Foundation and grand prix rider and Step by Step Board
Member Margie Engle
Photo by Step by Step