International leaders greeted the debut of the International Competition of Young Pianists in memory of Vladimir Horowitz. The president of Ukraine, Mr. Leonid Kuchma, his holiness, Pope John Paul II, the then President of the United States of America, Mr. William Clinton, among others, expressed their hopes that the competition will serve as a platform to introduce children who are musical prodigies to the world at large.

One juror, Mr. Ireneus Zuk from Canada, was reported to have said, "they are really just kids... but they play like artists". Since then, the competition has upheld the highest International Musical Standards. This has been possible because of the unstinted support by musicians and, particularly, by a plethora of wonderful competition participants.

A touching facet of the competition was introduced in 2003. Henceforth, every concert offered by young winners in the name of the competition is dedicated to less fortunate children, in particular, those with developmental disorders.