September Newsletter: 🐴 Ambassadors Making Headlines and Project News 🌏
SEPTEMBER 2024 NEWS
JWI Ambassadors Make Headlines At 2024 Olympic Games
JustWorld had a presence in the ring at Versailles, on the medal podium, in the announcers’ booth and from FEI leadership at the biggest stage for equestrian sports this year at the Paris Olympics.
JustWorld Ambassador Laura Kraut helped the U.S. team earn a silver medal in jumping, riding Baloutinue to her third Olympic medal and becoming the oldest U.S. medalist in 72 years.
Ambassador Chris von Martels of Canada represented JWI in Olympic dressage, and Abdullah Al Marri competed for UAE in show jumping.
JWI also had FEI Vice Presidents Mark Samuel and Jack Huang on the ground, along with JWI founder Jessica Newman, and all of the Olympic commentators (Alison Drummond, Steven Wilde and Yannick Bichon) represent JWI.
We’re proud of all our Ambassadors for promoting the organization and showing the power of the equestrian community when it unites to give back.
FEI North American Youth Champions Learn About Charity
JustWorld reps were on the ground in Traverse City, Michigan, for the FEI North American Youth Championships, thanks to the support of Traverse City Horse Shows. Each of the six winning teams earned the chance to take part in an Adopt A Project activity, with the riders selecting the project and need that most resonated with them.
Traverse City Horse Shows also hosted a benefit golf tournament at LochenHeath Golf Club, raising $11,715. Thank you to the Morrissey family and Traverse City Horse Shows for your support of JWI!
(Grandpix Photo)
Spreading The Word At Sonoma Horse Park
Marian Ehlers of Bend, Oregon, arranged for a JustWorld jump and a sponsored class at the Sonoma Horse Park on July 28 in Petaluma, California.
Charlotte Komes won the JustWorld International Jumper Classic aboard Cassiopee D'Armanville, delivering visibility and awareness for JWI in Northern California.
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
LAST CALL
JWI Project Visit: El Patojismo in Guatemala, November 7-10
Fly into Guatemala City, arriving on November 7. 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 and tour local cultural highlights.
Full itinerary and cost will be made available once we have the final number of RSVPs.
PROJECT NEWS
SPOTLIGHT ON PIO
Based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, PIO serves 1,400 students daily, providing education, vocational training and meal programs to children who are living in poverty and would not otherwise have access to education. Many of their graduates have gone on to high school, college or employment. Here’s a glimpse at some of their recent activities.
Students from People Improvement Organization participated in the Youth Debate Program of Citizen’s Empowerment Academy (Season 1) on August 8-9.
PIO students learned how to make jewelry thanks to a visit from Imke Hofmann.
Elementary and secondary school students at PIO received dentist visits.
PIO students also enjoy access to computers during their lunch break and in the evening, using the time to learn about world news, watch videos and play games.
A visiting physician teaches PIO students about health and hygiene.
A visiting physician teaches PIO students about health and hygiene.
Talisman Fly Bonnets Empower Equestrians and Elders Through Needlework
When JustWorld Ambassadors tie a Talisman fly bonnet on their horses’ heads, they’re making a statement that they #RideForTheCause. Simultaneously, they’re contributing to another social initiative that goes beyond JustWorld’s work with children and impacts those on the opposite end of the age spectrum.
More than 20 years ago, when Brigitte Potenza began making Talisman bonnets, she received the help of her mother’s 80-year-old friend. “I always felt it would be nice to continue engaging seniors to help me with needlework and sewing,” Brigitte said.
The JustWorld bonnet created by Bromont-area seniors for Talisman bonnets
Brigitte now has 11 senior artisans on her team in Bromont, Quebec, where they outfit the Canadian show jumping team and many other top riders around the world. “They love what they do and are excellent needle craftsmen,” she said. “It gives them exposure to a sport they’re not familiar with and an extra source of revenue to those who are mostly retired.”
Brigitte brings them the materials, and when they’re finished, they call her. “One of my philosophies is that the job should be stress-free,” she said. “I try to have enough people so no one is overburdened. It should add to the quality of their life, the work and revenue they earn.”
Over the years, however, Brigitte said she’s learned more from them. “I see how they have different struggles with health issues or whatever is going on and how they handle it,” she said. “It’s a really nice view into that community of people who are older. They’re still valuable to themselves, the community, and their family. And if the revenue helps them keep their car or repair something on their furnace, or help a grandchild with tuition, those are all things that make them feel in charge of lives and of value in different ways to their family.”
The senior artisans also helped Brigitte improve her own crochet skills, even though she’s been practicing the art since her university days.
Brigitte Potenza, founder of Talisman Bonnets
“It’s a hobby that turned into a business,” she said. “We used to make the bonnets when our kids were riding and for their friends, and it slowly grew. One store asked to carry them, and so on. I sell them around the world, and I don’t think there’s a continent I haven’t shipped to.”
As a group, they’ve become a supportive community. “It’s good for them to see other people, and they know I’m there for them if they need something,” Brigitte said. “One is in a senior residence and not doing well. She can’t get out of the house much, and I tell her if she wants to do the work go ahead but no stress, and if she needs anything from the store to let me know. It’s about building a support team, and we often need it. Their kids don’t live here in this rural area and are not always around to help.”
Talisman bonnets and charm
Support JustWorld and the Talisman team by purchasing a bonnet today.
Many of the crocheters bring decades of experience. “I just have to teach them the pattern,” Brigitte said. “The tension in your hands determines the tightness of the stitch; you can’t change that. What you play with is the design of the crochet hook. You fiddle with it until everything is right–it’s not difficult for them learning the pattern because they have so much experience crocheting.”
Brigitte’s been proactive about addressing riders’ concerns, and Talisman is the first brand to make padded, lined bonnets for horses that wouldn’t wear pompoms. “We love what we do, and we learn in response to problems customers bring up,” she said.
When she first made bonnets, Brigitte put a charm on each one, which inspired the name Talisman. “When I was making bonnets for kids with coordinating charms, it was a reminder to be grateful, to thank the horse for everything it does for you,” she said. “And we’ve carried that clue into the name of the business.”
With a strong belief in JustWorld’s mission, Brigitte donates 40 percent of the proceeds of each bonnet back to the organization. “It’s an amazing thing and great opportunity for young riders who are becoming more involved with JWI to learn these values and have that example of giving and thoughtfulness to people who don't have the same opportunities,” she said.
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?
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.