LGCT of Miami Beach Sun Shines on JustWorld International
The Longines Global Champions Tour of Miami Beach is one of the most highly anticipated show jumping events of the season. Landing on the pristine shores of South Beach, you could almost run your hands through the glistening turquoise waters from the saddle. But earlier this week, the Atlantic Ocean was anything but a gentle host. Waves crashed into the arena, and footing was swept out to a rough, raging sea. The storm that descended upon Florida’s coast swelled to a magnitude nearly unheard of in April. Riders continued refreshing their weather apps and emails anxiously awaiting news. Would there even be an LGCT of Miami Beach this year?
Yet even before the skies cleared, crews began tackling the wreckage. Fighting against the wind’s furious gusts they moved the arena further onto the shore and methodically reconstructed the elements of the venue which were ravaged by the storm. A new, condensed schedule was drafted, and riders returned to the mythic stage as swiftly as the sunshine.
There is always something to be learned from equestrian sport. Often these lessons involve the relationship between a rider and their horse, how to effectively ride a particular jump-off line, or hone a new technique. This time, the takeaway was simple; anything is possible when a devoted team works together.
It’s a value shared by JustWorld International (JWI). As the official charity partner of the Federation Equestre International (FEI), JWI is championed by an army of equestrian Ambassadors who share the common goal of fracturing the cycle of poverty in disadvantaged communities around the world. Thanks to the unwavering generosity of the LGCT, Ambassadors were able to use the unique Miami Beach stage to support thriving JWI projects in Cambodia, Guatemala, Honduras and the United States.
“What inspires me is to help people who are in need, and also to represent Honduras at this level of riding competition,” said a wise 14-year-old Emilio Medina Guillen, who proudly represents his home country of Honduras.
Medina Guillen wasn’t the only rising talent riding with the Honduran flag. Siblings Lenir Alejandro Perez and Ana Sofia Perez, 13 and 16-years-old, also have dreams to bring Honduras to the next level in equestrian sport while supporting vital communities back home.
“What’s special about me is my home country, and it’s a very beautiful country. There are a lot of good people there,” said Lenir Perez, whose week was highlighted by a third and fourth place finish in Friday’s 1.15m. “It feels great to be working with JustWorld.”
Offering invaluable opportunities of visibility, world class course designers Uliano Vezzani (ITA), Mario Breccia (ITA), and Pier Francesco Bazzocchi (ITA) integrated the JWI jump into their intricate course maps. While the blue and purple fence always held the focus of riders with clear ambitions, the public had the best view of all during the Longines Global Champions Tour of Miami Beach Grand Prix. Set against the beachside rail as the premier fence, the open arm standards welcomed riders on course. Though no matter if you were negotiating the 1.60m element like Ambassadors Olympic Gold Medalist Laura Kraut (USA) and Olympian Marlon Modolo Zantonelli (BRA), or the 1.15m element, JWI unites a family of riders across all levels and nations.
“Everyone is such a great team and community trying to make a difference in the world, so I would definitely say become an Ambassador and get involved in any way that you can,” said 17-year-old Caroline Mawhinney.
Fully embodying the notion of family are the Rodriguez’s. Young riders Ana Sofia Rodriguez and Ana Cristina Rodriguez ride for Guatemala, also the location of JWI’s inspiring partner project El Patojismo.
“As I’m from Guatemala, we have a project there, so I’m so proud to represent this amazing organization. I have been an Ambassador for I believe eight years or more, and I love being part of it,” said Ana Sofia Rodriguez.
The Rodriguez twins are under the mindful direction of their father, Guatemalan Olympian Juan Andrés Rodriguez, who just returned from his visit to El Patojismo. Juan Andrés was honored as a guest speaker for the opening celebration of El Patojsimo’s innovative vocational high school, the Center of Opportunities (CDO).
The word “opportunity” is powerful, signifying the sprawling avenues of potential in an individual’s life, and there are always new ones around the next rollback.
“It’s a very privileged sport in many ways, so it’s so nice to be able to make a broader impact with all the opportunities that we have in the horse world,” said Mawhinney.
*Header Image Credit: This is the Longines Global Champions Tour of Miami Beach Grand Prix winner Katrin Eckermann on Cala Mandia. Photocredit to LGCT.
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JustWorld International
Established in 2003, JustWorld was founded to provide equestrians with a way to support carefully vetted education programs for impoverished children around the world. Thousands of JustWorld Ambassadors from more than 40 countries have since committed to “ride for the cause” and assist JustWorld in accomplishing its mission to help build brighter futures for these children and their communities. Equestrian-based companies and events worldwide support JustWorld’s efforts, and the governing body of the global equestrian sport, the FEI, has endorsed JustWorld as its official charity partner. In 2022, JustWorld is helping improve the lives of nearly 10,000 impoverished children around the globe daily.
To donate, become an Ambassador, or learn more about JustWorld, please visit www.justworldinternational.org or @justworldinternational on Facebook and Instagram.
JustWorld International is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization in the United States and tax-deductible donations are accepted in the United States. JustWorld International has no political or religious affiliation.