JustWorld Ambassadors 🐴 August Update and Important News
AUGUST 2024 NEWS
August 27, 7:00 pm EST: Monthly Ambassador Meeting
Join us once a month to meet other Ambassadors, network and connect, learn what’s going on at JustWorld projects, plus brainstorm and share ideas for fundraising and socializing.
October 1, 11:00 am EST: Webinar with Annette Paterakis - The Equestrian Mental Coach.
With a background in show jumping and 10-plus years of experience as a mental coach, Annette specializes in helping equestrians create a confident, consistent and powerful life in and outside of the ring. She’ll speak to JustWorld about how riders of all levels can manage confidence and anxiety, on and off the horse.
“The athletes I work with have everything they need to succeed, I help them find the missing link to translate their potential into powerful results.”
Annette is the author of “Keep Calm & Enjoy the Ride” and “Winning Habits.” For more information, visit: www.annettepaterakis.com
BID NOW: RARE RINGSIDE EXPERIENCE IN LYON
Experience the thrill of world-class equestrian competition from the best seats in the house at Longines Equita Lyon Concours Hippique International (France) on November 3.
Place your bid for an unforgettable day, with a VIP table for 10, including:
*VIP Parking
*Lounge and VIP Village access
*VIP ringside restaurant access
*Gourmet lunch featuring regional cuisine crafted by Chef Mathieu Viannay, a distinguished 2-star Michelin Guide chef
Don’t miss the chance to experience elite equestrian athletes competing in World Cup show jumping and driving while enjoying premium amenities and exquisite dining, creating distinctive memories. Best of all, thanks to the generosity of GL Events Equestrian Sport, all proceeds from the auction benefit the children served by JustWorld International worldwide.
Auction Closes 12 PM EST Friday, August 30
JWI Project Visit: El Patojismo in Guatemala, November 7-10
(plus or minus a day):
Fly via Guatemala City, transport arranged to hotel accommodations in Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site; meet CNN Hero and El Patojismo Founder Juan Pablo Romero Fuentes and see the impact of the JWI partnership; visit the elementary school and experience the magic happening at the Center of Opportunities.
Full itinerary and cost will be made available once we have the final number of early RSVPs. Confirm your interest in joining JustWorld on a visit to El Patojismo by August 15.
NEWS & NOTES
Spreading the Word in Switzerland
JustWorld International could be seen on the Jumbotron and in the program at the FEI Vaulting Championships in Bern, Switzerland, July 16-21, exposing vaulters to the programs and opportunities with JWI.
PROJECT NEWS
StoryBook Treasures and JustWorld Share a Love of Reading at Pioneer Park
“I can’t read this.”
Dallas, a first grader at Pioneer Park Elementary School, insisted that he couldn’t sound out the book “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie,” but his teacher, Cleola Pringle, knew she had the tools–including a toy cookie that came in the StoryBook Treasures Kit—to help and inspire him.
“I said, ‘Every time you get to a word you don’t know, squeeze the cookie, and it will tell you the word,’ ” Pringle recalled. “He tried, and he was able to read that whole book, and he was so excited. He really enjoyed that book.”
Cleola Pringle, first-grade teacher at Pioneer Park Elementary School (Tori Repole Photo)
Pringle sees that kind of progress and enthusiasm nearly every day thanks to a partnership between StoryBook Treasures and JustWorld International, which brings five literacy kits a year to pre-K through third-grade students at Pioneer Park, a Title 1 school in Belle Glade, Florida.
According to StoryBook Treasures founder Denise Corbo, the program works because of the connection it makes between the classroom and the home. The first kit of the year includes a T-shirt that says “We love to read,” an age-appropriate book, a mini book that goes along with the lesson plan for teachers, a bookmark that has comprehension questions, and a small toy or treasure, which Corbo says has “the Happy Meal effect” to excite the students. The kit also contains an “I love to read” bracelet and tote bag.
“If we tell them we love to read enough, then they eventually believe us,” Corbo said.
A sample StoryBook Treasures kit
The impact is especially strong at schools like Pioneer Park, where Pringle says most families, up to 40 percent of whom live in poverty, have no books at home.
“They take them home and read them, bring them back to school and show me how they can read them. They share some of the story elements, characters and setting, because they had their own personal time with the books,” Pringle said.
She believes the small toys help them relate to the story with something tangible that they can hold. As a result, she had eight students in her first-grade class test at the third- and fourth-grade reading levels
When teaching children to read, Corbo said, it’s challenging to maintain their interest if they don’t have books or exposure at home.
“It’s hard for a lot of kids [to learn to read], and they don’t have the words to say it’s hard, so they say, ‘I don’t like it,’ because it’s challenging,” Corbo said.
She explained that when a teacher reads aloud, it creates a powerful connection with the entire classroom, all engaging together around one book.
“They all feel part of it, and by the time they’re done with the lesson and bring the book home to their family, they’re so excited to read it, and they know it inside and out. They have the background and motivation to read, and they use the books to teach their parents how to speak or read English, share with siblings, and re-create the great experience that happened in school. It all revolves around the importance and excitement of learning to read, and it’s a game changer.”
Denise Corbo, founder of StoryBook Treasures (Tori Repole Photo)
The StoryBook Treasures program supports children for years so that as they grow, they receive more books and are able to build a home library.
“I have fifth graders who would come in my [first-grade classroom] and see the StoryBook Treasures book and say, ‘We read that in first grade, and we have a harder book now.’ It’s a ripple effect, and they get a chance to recall what they did in first, second, third grade, and build on that,” Pringle said. “It’s been effective. I would like it to go all the way to high school because we know they’ve got books at home.”
Corbo, a former educator, works with a group of teachers to select the books each year. “Great read-alouds is the first criterion,” she said. “And we want ones that spark interest, have some sort of message.”
She includes books by well-known, prolific authors so that children can find more of the books they like in libraries. “When kids are exposed to Dr. Seuss, for example, when they go to the library, there are multiple books by that author, so if they’ve experienced one and have a connection to the others, it expands their connection and interest,” Corbo said.
As much as the program helps children with the mechanics of reading, Pringle sees the effects go even deeper. “They feel like someone cares enough to give them books,” she said. “They come from a low-income area, almost poverty-based, and for them to get brand new books and a toy with it, it makes them feel like, ‘Someone really cares about us.’ It has an impact on them over the years, and if they keep the books, they can reflect that that book was actually given to them.”
Corbo also sees the ownership effect at work. “The kids can’t believe they get to keep [the books],” she said. “Building confidence and giving them book ownership is a huge thing. We’re saying, ‘We think this is so important that we’re giving you this as a gift, and they can’t believe it. It adds another layer to how powerful the program is.”
Learn more about JustWorld’s work with StoryBook Treasures in Belle Glade.
Help JustWorld and StoryBook Treasures reach more students.
Join JustWorld’s next project visit to Pioneer Park Elementary School this winter.
Aiming to bring equestrian sport to mainstream audiences, Catie Stazak works as an equestrian statistician for NBC Olympics.
Catie Stazak Provides Olympic Insights During JustWorld Webinar
Multimedia sports journalist Catie Stazak provided the JustWorld community with exclusive insights into the top contenders for Paris at a webinar on July 11, “Who to Watch at the Paris Olympics.”
As equestrian statistician for NBC Olympics, Catie is now in Stamford, Connecticut, at the NBC studio, supporting NBC talents Melanie Smith Taylor and Randy Moss with their commentary and coverage of equestrian sport. She began creating the official Olympic manual for the equestrian disciplines in December.
“We’ll arrive [to set] about an hour or so before we’re live each day to debrief. ‘Has anything happened overnight?’, and then off we go,” Catie said. “I’m in the talent’s ear all the way through because there’s a lot of information for them to not only consume but then to be able to share in a coherent and educational manner and keep up with everything as it’s happening.”
Storylines to Follow
JustWorld International knows U.S. show jumper Laura Kraut as one of our most dedicated Ambassadors. During the Paris Olympic Games, the world will meet her through the lens of NBC Sports.
“It’s been really fun to educate NBC about some of the athletes who are really special to us in our sport,” Catie said. “The biggest instance of that has been Laura Kraut.”
Laura is approaching her fourth Olympic Games, the first being Sydney 2000. She helped Team U.S.A. earn gold at the 2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong and a silver medal in 2021 in Tokyo. This Olympic cycle, she’ll sit atop Baloutinue and compete alongside teammates Kent Farrington, McLain Ward and reserve rider Karl Cook.
“Our American team is very strong and has very experienced riders,” Catie said. “Clearly, McLain is beginning to peak with Ilex, and that has been really cool to see. He’s very good at that. Kent has been absolutely loaded with horses coming into the season, and I really enjoyed watching that mare Greya at the World Cup Finals [where they finished fourth]. Kent is a magician with horse management and peaking for events. And, of course, Laura and [Baloutinue]. It’s exciting for me because when we saw Laura and Baloutinue in Tokyo, they had been partnered for four months. It was incredible what they did, and now, to see the strength of that partnership.”
JustWorld Ambassador Laura Kraut is set to compete in her fourth Olympic Games in Paris. Photo by US Equestrian.
Heading into Paris, Laura will be a focal point in one of NBC’s many storylines, which help hook audiences and give them someone to root for.
“She’s one of the kindest, most genuine people in the sport,” Catie said. “She’s been quite candid with me about wanting a second gold medal to match her partner Nick Skelton because he has the edge on her and has one additional gold medal, so she would like to match him. But the real compelling storyline is that Laura is a grandmother for the first time at these Olympics.”
The spotlight will also shine on Olympic celebrity Suppenkasper, ridden by U.S.A.’s Steffen Peters. The internet knows him as Rave Horse, the “horse dancing” sensation who took the world by storm during the Tokyo Olympic Games. There, dressage gained a fan in Snoop Dogg, the American musician whose enthusiastic commentary made the sport go viral.
“Snoop Dogg was introduced to dressage and found it absolutely mindblowing, and that was amazing,” Catie said. “It went viral––so viral, in fact, that they have hired Snoop Dogg now as an Olympic correspondent and are sending him to Paris. He said that one of the things that he would like to do most is meet Suppenkasper.
“Personally, I will not shy away from the fact that I’m a very big fan of Snoop Dogg, so I just think this is absolutely fantastic; I’m really looking forward to that,” Catie added. “It was just very raw and authentic that he was taken aback by this, and to see someone recognize the beauty and strength of the horse in that way is really great. And no one is going to do it in a way that he can.”
Henrik von Eckermann and King Edward will look to add to Sweden’s medal count during the Paris Olympic Games. Photo by the FEI
Catie’s Medal Predictions
Jumping - Individual
Gold: Sweden’s Henrik Von Eckermann and King Edward
Silver: Germany’s Richard Vogel and United Touch S
Bronze: Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat and Dynamix de Belheme
“The only thing missing from King Edward’s resume is an individual gold,” Catie said. “He has had every other gold that is out there, and unquestionably, they would be the leaders in this. I actually think show jumping will be quite competitive, but that horse is truly in a league of his own. It will be really exciting to watch that horse and see if he can complete that sweep with Henrik.”
While Catie’s eyes are on King Edward and United Touch for the top podium finishes, she’s looking forward to seeing the evolution of Dynamix de Belheme.
“The horse that excites me the most to see is actually Steve Guerdat’s mare, who was so exceptional at the [2023] European Championships,” Catie said. “It was really a breakout moment, and I think with more and more maturity, that horse is going to be absolutely incredible. And, of course, Steve is already an Olympic champion in previous years.”
Jumping - Team
Gold: Sweden
Silver: Switzerland
Bronze: France
“Sweden has been really dominant, and it’s really hard not to put them atop the podium again. But, I think Switzerland has a really fantastic team,” Catie said. “It was a bit of a toss-up between France, Ireland, and the U.S. [for third], but it’s the home nation, and I think they’re really going to bring out their best.”
Dressage - Individual
Gold: Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and TSF Dalera BB
Silver: Great Britain’s Charlotte “Lottie” Fry and Glamourdale
Bronze: Germany’s Isabell Werth and Wendy de Fontaine
“In dressage, of course, it’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl,” Catie said. “I don’t think they have lost a single class since Tokyo with TSF Dalera, so they’ve been pretty incredible.”
Dressage - Team
Gold: Germany
Silver: Great Britain
Bronze: Denmark
“It would be a shock if Germany was not atop the podium, though I do think Great Britain is usually the biggest challenger, and they have a really strong team,” Catie said. “Those are going to be fun to watch. I saw a really cool quote from Carl Hester that he hasn’t enjoyed riding this much in a long time with the horse that he has, so that’s going to be a lot of fun to watch that team. Of course, Isabell Werth is a legend in the sport, and she’s going to try to add to that medal count.”
Eventing - Individual
Gold: Great Britain’s Rosalind “Ros” Canter and Lordships Graffalo
Silver: New Zealand’s Tim Price and Falco
Bronze: United States’ Boyd Martin and Fedarman B
“Boyd’s World No. 2, and he’s had an amazing season,” Catie said. “He absolutely is right in the hunt there to do something pretty big, and that’s a special horse and a special story that he has there [taking over the ride in memory of his former owner-rider, Annie Goodwin, who died in a riding accident.]”
Eventing - Team
Gold: Great Britain
Silver: France
Bronze: New Zealand
“A lot of lovely storylines, more emotive storylines that we’ll see in eventing,” Catie said. “There are at least two horses––Boyd Martin’s horse being one of them––that are being ridden in memory of their former riders who died very tragically. It’s going to be very emotional, and we’ll try to tell those stories in the best way to honor those riders while also doing justice to the sport.”
The story of Boyd Martin riding Fedarman B in honor of his late owner-rider, Annie Goodwin, will tug at the heartstrings of viewers during the Olympics. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography
Growing Equestrian Sport and Gaining Fans
Webinar attendee Victoria Sheehan asked Catie about the industry’s efforts to spotlight the grooms, teams and support systems who make the Olympic dream possible.
“When the U.S. announced the team for Paris, they announced all of the grooms as well for the horses, which I just think is so great,” Catie said. “These are the people who are probably spending the most time with these horses day in and day out. Their livelihoods are these horses’ livelihoods, and I don’t think that their value can be overstated. For someone who loves horse care and management, quite a few of these grooms aren’t just grooming. They’re also riding these horses on a day-to-day basis, flatting and working with them at home. They’re key parts of their team and management, care and wellbeing, and we need that for [the horses] to perform well.”
Catie hopes that viewers will feel inspired to continue following the sport beyond Paris.
“I would love to be able to reach out to someone who’s watching at home who can listen to the stories and say, ‘Wow,’ and become a fan of that horse and rider and find someone to latch onto that they can continue to follow,” Catie said. “And then maybe follow more of the sport and become a fan.”
Catie also hopes that fans of the sport will find their own paths to involvement.
“Maybe someone will go out and want to take a riding lesson or meet a horse,” Catie said. “Not everyone is going to turn into the next Kent Farrington or Laura Kraut or McLain Ward, but maybe someone could become an owner and help support a talented rider in our next generation or just have more viewership of our sport to help it and the exposure and ratings.
“So much of our sport, we’re taught and trained to make it all seem seamless, and like we’re not doing very much, but it’s very difficult, and a lot is happening,” Catie added. “So, I hope people can realize the true athletes that these horses and riders are. Of course, we want to show, as horse people, how much we love these horses and how they’re our partners and parts of our families, and we do this together.”
For the first time, all sports are available live and on-demand through NBC's Peacock App, a subsidiary of NBCUniversal Media Group. The events begin on July 27 and continue through August 6: https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/schedule/equestrian
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Catie Staszak is CEO of Catie Staszak Media, Inc., and the color commentator and journalist for the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ North American League for the last seven years. Catie has announced at show jumping events across the globe, and in 2018, she moderated at the FEI Sports Forum in Lausanne, Switzerland. That same year, she founded Catie Staszak Media in alignment with her goal to increase the mainstream exposure of equestrian sports.
In December, she added the title of equestrian statistician for NBC Olympics at the Paris Games to her resume, and she'll work out of NBC Studios this summer, educating production teams and at-home viewers about some of equestrian sports' most compelling storylines. When she's not working on one of her many projects, she's caring for her horses and pursuing the amateur jumper ranks with her Zangersheide gelding, Bear.
To keep up with Catie’s adventures, follow her on Instagram at @catiestazak and @catiestazakmedia.
To become the first to hear about webinars, trips and other opportunities—and make a difference to thousands of lives—become a JustWorld International Ambassador: https://apply.getroster.com/L65vcbd40
Ambassadors:
Please Register for 2024!!
JustWorld’s Global Ambassador Program was relaunched to kick off 2024, offering equestrians a more interactive experience and many new features revealed throughout the year. The new application should only take a few minutes to complete. If you've not already done so, please enroll for 2024.
Ambassadors can be anyone in the equestrian community—riders, officials, show staff, owners or fans! So if you know of anyone who might be interested, please let us know!
Want to buy a hat, shirt, fleece pullover, or stickers, patches and water bottles?
Shop the exclusive JWI x Anna Klose Hamburg hoodie with proceeds donated back to our cause.
Thank you to our Ambassadors who have already enrolled in the new system for 2024!
Horses or tack for sale, home and stable rentals, clinics, camps, jobs or internships wanted or needed—let us know what you need to share with the community, and we’ll add it to the newsletter.This is your community! Contact Beth Rasin
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#JustWorld #RideForTheCause #JustWorldInternational
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JustWorld International
Established in 2003, JustWorld International was created to connect equestrians with a direct way to help fracture the cycle of poverty through education, healthcare, nutrition, and leadership programs benefiting children around the world. Ambassadors from more than forty countries have since committed to “Ride for the Cause” and transform the lives of children through equestrian sport. JustWorld has united the international equestrian community and become the Official Charity Partner of the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), the world governing body of equestrian sport. Envisioning a more just world, the non-profit organization cultivates strategic, project partnerships in a collaborative approach to impact the lives of nearly 10,000 children around the globe annually.
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.