JustWorld Ambassadors 🐴 March Update and Important News
MARCH 2024 NEWS
FEI Solidarity Grant Delivers Opportunity For PIO Students
JustWorld is proud to announce that our Global Project in Cambodia, People Improvement Organization (PIO), will be sending qualified students to a vocational training opportunity offered through a Gender Equality Grant from Fédération Equestre Internationale Solidarity. The course will offer horse care and facility management training at a new Cambodian Equestrian Federation training center in Phnom Penh.
JustWorld Ambassador Jack Huang (FEI Vice President and Group VIII Chair) and FEI President Ingmar de Vos visited the training facility and met with the students.
“The vision here is that women matter, and that women can and do play an important role in equestrian activities and can contribute positively to the social and economic fabric of Cambodian society,” Huang said. “And if equestrian sport can play its part in changing strongly held views on gender equality and redefining societal norms, then sport can really live up to the ideal that it has the power to change the world.”
2024 JustWorld Leadership Development Program presented at Wellington International in partnership with the Great Charity Challenge
JustWorld’s Leadership Development Program made its onsite debut at Wellington International showgrounds, thanks to a partnership with the Great Charity Challenge. Participants aged 15-23 learned from industry experts like Guilherme Jorge, Sissy Wickes and Ashley Holzer, with moderation by Catie Staszak. They also heard from professional educators about leadership styles and assessed their own leadership approaches.
El Patojismo Founder and CNN Hero Juan Pablo Romero Fuentes of Guatemala spoke passionately about the challenges facing his country, his inspiration for addressing them, and how he’s overcome challenges to offer a brighter vision for children in Jocotenango and beyond. And in the final session, Storybook Treasures Founder Denise Corbo guided volunteers in assembling literacy kits for the March 4 Project Visit to Pioneer Park Elementary School in Belle Glade, Florida.
LDP Hands-On Finale
During the final Leadership Development Program session, on Feb. 29 at the Wellington Club, JustWorld Ambassadors packed a Storybook Treasures Literacy Kit, including “We Are In A Book” by Mo Willems and small prizes designed to make reading fun.
Five youth Ambassadors took a break from the packing to participate in JustWorld’s signature Adopt A Project activation. Zara Boyd, Aiko Paridean, Corinne Sweeney, Dawson Amick, and Lucy Rappoport reviewed a menu of impactful education, healthcare, and nutrition projects in Cambodia, Guatemala, Honduras, and the United States, ultimately electing to distribute $500 each to Cambodia (1 ton of rice), Guatemala (vital medical supplies and medications for the health clinic), and Honduras (new bilingual books for the mobile library).
Ambassador Updates
Two Ambassadors from Europe have arrived in Wellington eager to make a significant difference through JustWorld this season. We asked Aiko Paridaen of Belgium and Lola Mulliez of France a few questions to get to know them a little better.
LOLA MULLIEZ
Growing up with a mother who’s a professional trainer, Lola began riding when she was 3. Now 20, she joins us from France as an intern as part of her work toward a business degree from EMLV.
What do you hope to gain from your experience with JustWorld?
I’ve always loved America, and in the equestrian world, I discovered Wellington, and meeting people is what [I] hope I will get. There are many great people and interesting people, and learning about their background I think can be useful for my life.
What did you think of the Leadership Development Program sessions you were able to attend?
Everyone in the room all talked about their backgrounds, which were all different, but they were all very involved in JustWorld. It seemed whatever you come from, whether you are born with more money and opportunities, everyone is trying to do what they can do with what they have.
AIKO PARIDAEN
Aiko, who started competing when she was 12, has been an Ambassador since 2019. Now 22, she’s ridden at the international level for eight years, competing on Nations Cup teams for Belgium and winning a grand prix at La Baule.
Aiko visited PIO in Cambodia in 2019 and promotes JustWorld on her social media, has participated in a show activation in Hagen, and has even named a foal A JustWorld Z. She joined JustWorld in Florida to explore different approaches to a career in horse sport.
What have been your favorite parts of the experience?
Seeing it all come together at the gala was really nice since it’s a hardworking team. I’ve met a lot of new people through JustWorld and built a lot of new connections, and I’m really happy JustWorld gave me the opportunity to do that.
I’ve had so many great experiences in my life. I know I’ve been very fortunate to have opportunities to pursue my biggest passion of riding, but I realize how lucky I am and don’t take it for granted. I know by working hard I got to where I am today and wouldn’t change a thing about it.
We’ll Miss You, Allie!
Those of you who have worked with Allie Bowe, Programs Coordinator, for the last three years will be sorry to see her leave JustWorld this month.
Please direct any questions or ideas about the Ambassador Program to Beth Rasin.
FIRST PLACE: Ava Le was the first Ambassador to complete the 2024 Ambassador enrollment when the new system was unveiled for the program relaunch in January.
A high school senior from Flower Mound, Texas, Ava trains with Martien Van Der Hoeven and competes at the Winter and Great Lakes Equestrian Festivals. Thank you, Ava!
“I love that JustWorld caters to giving equestrians the opportunity to be involved in campaigns against poverty,” Ava said. “At this level, most of our lives consist solely of riding and school/work, leaving little time to be involved in anything else. JustWorld really allows me to mix the two passionate interests of mine, riding and helping others.”
UPCOMING EVENTS
JUSTWORLD COMMUNITY ASADO
Wednesday, March 27th
6:00PM
As a thank-you to our volunteers, donors, sponsors, Ambassadors and their families, join us at Belle Herbe Farm for the annual JustWorld Asado generously hosted by the Newman Family.
Make Time for Miami
Miami Beach marks the second of 16 stops on the Longines Global Champions Tour of the world’s best riders and horses competing for the highest prize money in show jumping at unique destinations worldwide.
Don’t miss four days of top sport, April 3-6, in one of the most unique and iconic destinations on the global tour. Miami Beach takes place on the sands of South Beach, against the beautiful backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean, with the arena just meters away from the famous turquoise waters.
Top riders, uniting to form teams comprised of different nationalities, will be competing to earn points toward a team and individual championship, culminating in the final in Riyadh in November.
Come cheer on JWI Ambassadors Laura Kraut and Nina Mallevaey, who will be representing the Rome Gladiators, powered by ClipMyHorse.tv
ROAD TO PARIS: Call for Photos
Are you campaigning for a spot at this summer’s Olympics? Or attending the Olympics as a volunteer? Let us know, and we’ll follow along and support you every step of the way.
JustWorld Ambassador Pedro Cebulkawill be the ringmaster, and JWI LDP Panelist Guilherme Jorge will be the show jumping technical delegate.
We’d love to get an overview of all our Ambassadors’ involvement in Paris this summer!
FEBRUARY AMBASSADOR REPORTS
Superstar Ambassador Laura Kraut’s 2008 Olympic gold-medal partner Cedric, owned by Margret Duprey of Cherry Knoll Farm was inducted into the Show Jumping Hall of Fame on March 3 at the Wanderers Club in Wellington.
Congratulations to Erin Nichols, who helped the Dutta Corp. U.S. Dressage Team earn silver at the Wellington CDIO3*, riding Elian Royale to a personal best score of 69.56%!
Lanie Walkenbach’s McQueen won the $100,000 Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular AND the 2023 Peter Wetherill Hunter of the Year Award with Nick Haness on board at Wellington International.
Sandy Smith and Cash have been excelling in the 3’3” junior hunters, winning in the under saddle and stakes classes and earning tricolors every week at Wellington International.
Lucy Rappoport scored a win in the low children’s/adult amateur training jumpers at Wellington International aboard Coco Cilla.
Grace Lowe and Kilbracken Blue Jay won the $2500 NAL/WIHS Junior Jumper Classic in addition to their division titles at Wellington International.
Natalia Rodriguez and Royalty won Wellington International’s 1.05m Junior Jumper Classic and earned the championship.
If you have anything you'd like to share in our upcoming newsletter, whether it's an accomplishment in the show ring or at school, a business promotion or event, or a job or internship opportunity you are seeking to fill or find, please let us know. This is your community! Contact Beth Rasin
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 here.
The new program includes a pledge to help support our work at Global Projects, and you’ll receive a prompt directing you to that quick and easy process.
The new software enables us to group Ambassadors by group by region or age for new community connection we plan to roll out, and it offers opportunities to earn points through your involvement that translate into discounts on JustWorld merchandise.
Remember, 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
Please be sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Linkedin, and share our news! And tag us on your posts!
#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.