North American Youth Championships Develops Riders and Philanthropists Alike
Williamsburg, MI — The FEI North American Youth Championships (NAYC) at Traverse City Horse Shows (TCHS) saw nearly 200 competitors across seven nations, ranging in ages 14-21, fiercely compete for individual and team division titles. Yet this week, their greatest strength was how they came together as developing philanthropists with JustWorld International—the FEI official charity partner. TCHS and JustWorld raised nearly $25,000 to support children in impoverished communities.
For these young athletes, the motivation to win transcended the saddle. JustWorld brought the "Adopt a Project" incentive to each NAYC podium. Podium-finishing teams received a sponsored grant for $1,000 to be donated in their name to their choice of programs in Cambodia, Guatemala, and Honduras.
First, second, and third place teams in each NAYC division collaborated after the awards ceremony to determine which project would receive their donations. The winners reviewed comprehensive "menu" cards that detailed how their contribution could translate to funding sustainable change within the JustWorld programs. With over 260 million children needing access to clean water, nutrition, and education, there were many poignant discussions, yet no wrong choices.
For Cambodia, riders could choose between giving 1,500 kids access to clean drinking water or 750 students two nutritious meals a day for one month. The Guatemalan projects included valuable English instruction for six months or three months of a community health clinic that would support over 400 students and their families. In Honduras, where seven out of 10 children live below the poverty line, emphasis is placed upon education to improve long-term economic health. Riders could also choose to give three months of power to the mobile library or supply the community with books and educational materials.
The podium offered a unique platform for the equestrian teams to discuss their selections, initiating critical conversations about being part of positive change for children and their families around the globe. Breaching levels, competitive lines, and disciplines such as dressage and show jumping, riders united for a good cause.
"I think it's really important for them to get the care they need, and for us to be able to support all of these students and their families," said dressage rider Erin Nichols, 19, Young Rider silver medalist with Region 7 and JustWorld Ambassador.
Nichols' team elected to provide a health clinic in Honduras, and they weren't the only athletes to understand the importance of this project.
"We chose to give books and educational materials and we chose this because we’ve been so privileged and fortunate to grow up with education both inside and outside of school and it would be really great to be able to give somebody else that opportunity," said Ava Le, Pre-Junior team gold medalist with Zone 7 and newest JustWorld Ambassador.
Tanner Korotkin finished second with Zone 4 in the Young Rider Team Final. Still, the 5* equestrian offered top-tier wisdom regarding his team's decision to provide access to clean drinking water in Cambodia.
"In the United States, we are all very fortunate to have water easily accessible. Even here, during the press conference, there are bottles of water everywhere. We take it for granted. It is a very basic need for humans to survive, and it makes life very difficult for those who don't have access to that," said 21-year-old Korotkin.
Mia Albelo, Zone 4 Junior division gold medalist and JustWorld Ambassador, was outspoken about the importance of education to promote healthy community growth. Her team elected to turn that passion into action.
"We believe in the power of education, we are all student-athletes… I'm really passionate about education and, of course, athletics. So I believe ushering in this wave of academics will really change the path for these children," said 17-year-old Albelo.
NAYC winners weren't the only ones to facilitate change this summer at TCHS
Second Annual Traverse City Horse Show Charity Golf Scramble
Horse show golf carts briefly returned to their proper location on August 1st for the Second Annual Traverse City Horse Show Charity Golf Scramble. The event occurred at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa's renowned Wolverine golf course. Show-goers changed their horse clothes for polo shirts and golf shorts and hit the green, and the course saw a total of 14 foursome teams playing for positive change.
Afterward, golfers gathered for a well-catered dinner and an awards ceremony sponsored by Showplace Productions and the Pennsylvania National Horse Show. The competitive nature of the golf scramble was a testament to the highly coveted prizes, such as an Andrew Ryback Photography photoshoot and a gift card to downtown Traverse City.
The event's generous sponsors included the Pennsylvania National Horse Show, Showplace Productions, Major League Show Jumping, MMG Four G Surfaces, and Mobile Tack. A donation of nearly $8,000 was the result of a successful afternoon on the greens.
CaptiveOne Advisors Clear the Jump for JustWorld
The distinguished blue and purple JustWorld could be prominently seen on the show-jumping course the following week. Regardless of its placement on the track, it was always the most crucial element. That was thanks to CaptiveOne Advisors, who generously sponsored a "Clear the Jump" incentive, where every time a competitor cleared the JustWorld jump, they donated $100 to the organization.
Competitors encouraged their horses to jump knees-to-nose over the arc of the JustWorld rails, and together the total clear efforts accumulated a $15,000 donation to JustWorld. CaptiveOne Advisors have once again helped young athletes change the world, one jump at a time.
Welcoming New JustWorld Ambassadors
The infectious nature of JustWorld's energy traveled through Traverse City Horse Shows, inspiring both old and new ambassadors. JustWorld welcomed five new ambassadors as the week's fundraising initiatives concluded. The passion exuding from the NAYC podium is only the beginning, and these young athletes and equestrians will continue to make hoof-shaped impressions on communities around the globe with the help of JustWorld for years to come. Just wait and see.
PHOTO CREDIT: Lauren White, Traverse City Horse Show
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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 follow @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.