Meet Ambassador: Annie Klepper

News

Aug 17

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One of the newest members of the JustWorld Ambassador team is pony rider, Annie Klepper. Annie was first exposed to JustWorld while participating in world-renowned Dressage trainer, Lendon Gray’s Winter Intensive Training Program. WIT is a three-month program in which aspiring young riders are committed to being the best they can be in an environment that fosters the connection where talent meets great passion and drive. Annie was the youngest “WIT” participant ever and took on each new experience in stride.All riders in WIT took part in JustWorld’s Leadership Development Program over the winter season and this is where Annie’s excitement for giving back with JustWorld sparked.With each weekly LDP meeting, Annie learned more and more about JustWorld’s programs, ways to give back, and how she can make a change in the world.One specific session of LDP that stood out to Annie was learning about Justworld’s Guatemala partner, Los Patojos. The Founder of Los Patojos, Juan Pablo Romero Fuentes, served as a virtual guest speaker. Juan Pablo video conferenced while at the school in order to give the students of LDP the ability to learn how the school has evolved and see in real time a typical day at the school.Reflecting on this moment, Annie says, “I was really touched by the Los Patojos project because it was something that started out as a small act of kindness and became a bustling, booming school full of opportunity. Because of one person opening his home, hundreds of children's lives were changed.”Being exposed to JustWorld and the remarkable change equestrians from around the globe come together to create shifted Annie and opened doors to new ideas and ways to change the world.

“Being a JustWorld Ambassador means making an active change in our world. It means opening up my life, letting it make real change. It means leaving the world a little better than I found it. It was all by chance that I was born with food on my table, opportunities, and education. I believe that those who are fortunate enough to have those things have a responsibility to share them with others.”

Annie is also a young entrepreneur who founded a small clothing company called Annie's Equestrienne Apparel. Annie’s Equestrienne Apparel offers a full range of equestrian apparel for both schooling and competition and is proud to offer fashionable riders a carefully created and diverse assortment of girl's and ladies' equestrian clothing including shirts, riding jackets, fleece pullovers, riding breeches, jodhpurs, and equestrian accessories. Annie is now finding ways to connect her company with JustWorld and giving back. Annie has her sights set on creating an exclusive JustWorld branded merchandise in order to raise funds and spread awareness.This upcoming winter, Annie will be traveling back down to Florida to compete with her pony, Gigi, in the CDIs at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival in the FEI Pony division.