JustWorld Ambassadors Shine at North American Youth Championships, Showcasing Talent and Philanthropic Spirit
JustWorld Ambassadors made a powerful impact at the 2025 FEI North American Youth Championships in Traverse City, Michigan, delivering standout performances in the arena while proudly representing the organization’s mission to create a more just world through educational opportunities.
After five and six years, respectively, representing JustWorld International and Guatemala at the NAYC, twins Ana Sofia Rodriguez and Ana Cristina Rodriguez made their final appearance this year, July 29-August 3, before aging out of the championship.
“It was truly an honor to represent both Guatemala and JustWorld International at my final North American Youth Championships as a young rider,” Ana Cristina said after finishing 10th individually in the young riders jumping division. “Competing under my country’s colors at this amazing championship has been a deeply meaningful experience, and I was honored to carry the JustWorld flag as an ambassador.”
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE RODRIUGEZ FAMILY
Ana Cristina and Ana Sofia Rodriguez with their father and coach, Juan Andres Rodriguez, and supporters representing Guatemala and JustWorld International
Ana Cristina, of Wellington, Florida, who has competed at NAYC since she was in the children’s division, said that JustWorld has played a significant role in shaping her as a person and as an athlete. “Both JustWorld and this championship have been impactful in my growth, on and off the horse,” she said. “I’m grateful for the opportunities, the experiences, and the values I’ve gained through this incredible journey.”
Ana Sofia also enjoyed representing JustWorld and Guatemala over the last several years at NAYC. Both sisters have attended project visits, including helping to bring a horse to Pioneer Park and Pahokee Elementary schools, and supporting JWI at the annual gala.
“Ever since I was in the children’s division, I competed in this championship, and it truly has impacted my growth as an athlete and person,” Ana Sofia said. “This championship is so valuable as it always brings out the best of an athlete and leaves you with great lessons and lots of friendships! JustWorld is like family to me, and it is always an honor to represent and support their mission.”
JustWorld has created a tradition at NAYC and other international youth championships of offering Adopt-A-Project menus to riders on winning teams, to teach the needs that JustWorld helps to fund and encourage young riders to understand and engage in philanthropy.
GARY HOWE PHOTO
In the young riders jumping division, Ambassador Alexa Lignelli competed on Zone 2’s silver-medal young rider team and won individual silver, and Ambassador Mia Albelocompeted on the third-placed team for Zone 4. Albelo and teammates Lawson Whitaker and Olivia Sweetnam elected to stock the health clinic in Guatemala with supplies and medications.
“We realize how privileged we are to be healthy, to be able to do the things we love on a day-to-day basis, and by doing that it changes the trajectory of the lives of these children,” Albelo said, adding that the passion of the Rodriguez girls for JustWorld has inspired them as well. “Just being able to support such a great cause, great friends, while doing something we love—riding horses—is really special.”
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Mia Albelo (left) with Zone 4 teammates Olivia Sweetnam and Lawson Whitaker
Precision and Purpose
JWI Ambassador Lexie Kment of Lincoln, Nebraska, rode Gatino van Hof Olympia on the Region 4 young riders dressage team, earning team and individual gold medals and finishing second in the freestyle. Kment was making her third appearance at NAYC.
“This year we had the opportunity once again through the incredible organization of JustWorld International, to choose where these finances will be donated to, and our team chose the project in Cambodia,” Kment said. “I’m just so excited to be able to represent such an incredible organization as a JustWorld ambassador and represent my region, my state, my family and my country.”
In the same division, the options on the Adopt-A-Project menu had special meaning for the Region 6 bronze-medal team, Olivia Martz, Ella Insko and Trinity Schatzel, who decided to stock the medical clinic in Guatemala with supplies.
“This personally resonated with me because my mom has been through so much medical care in the last few years in her battle with cancer, and I felt like it was really important and special to do that today,” Martz said.
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Adopt-A-Project deliberation
JWI Ambassador Alexis Troutman, of Gainesville, Georgia, joined JustWorld as an Ambassador this summer, and at NAYC, she competed on Region 3’s junior dressage team, earning the team gold medal.
JWI Ambassador and team gold medalist Alexis Troutman
She and her teammates Eila Fisk, Lark Heckman and Lauren Polk opted to fuel Education on Wheels in Honduras. “I love the fact that we get to help with education, because I firmly believe that education is the start to helping build a better economy and create more jobs for that country,” Troutman said.
Virginia Woodcock, also a JWI Ambassador, helped her Region 3 team earn the silver medal in the young rider dressage division, and she and her teammates Allison Berger and Phoebe Keliher chose to provide 1,250 books to Cambodia in their Adopt-A-Project menu.
“For me personally, providing education to underserved countries is so important in today’s age in developing countries and working with children to really help change [things],” Woodcock said.
Jumping for a JustWorld
In the junior jumpers, Ambassador Sofia Popescu competed on the silver-medal Canadian team. She and teammates Livia Martin, Giuliana Dim and Isabella Erlick decided to supply trauma-related therapy for 25 students in Guatemala. “We did this because, as athletes, we understand how important it is to prioritize mental health, and to have resources to help someone in need is really important to us,” Popescu said.
Sofia Popescu (far right) and teammates Giuliana Dim, Isabella Erlick and Livia Martin for Canada
Ambassador Philippa Ammann of Wellington, Florida, scored an individual win in the junior jumping, riding Zarina de Vidau, and she appreciated the chance to combine sport with philanthropy.
“Being a JustWorld Ambassador has been an incredible opportunity to connect my passion for show jumping with a purpose that’s much bigger than the sport,” Ammann said. “It’s shown me how the equestrian community can come together to support children’s education and aid where it’s most needed. Winning at NAYC made the experience even more special, especially knowing that the event helps bring visibility to JustWorld’s mission. I’m proud to play a small role in supporting the meaningful work JustWorld is doing around the world.”
Matt Morrissey, Event Director at Traverse City Horse Shows and a long-time JustWorld supporter, sees the youth championship as a natural fit for JustWorld’s mission.
“JustWorld…reflects what this event is all about—developing young riders who understand that being part of the sport also means being part of something bigger,” he said. “The Adopt-a-Project program gives these athletes a meaningful way to connect their passion for the sport with a purpose that goes far beyond the ring.”
For more of the winning teams and their Adopt A Project selections, check out JustWorld’s Instagram account
Learn how you can support JustWorld by becoming an Ambassador
Help us to support children in under-resourced communities around the world while also providing youth philanthropy opportunities like Adopt-A-Project to equestrians
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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, and nutrition programs for 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. Envisioning a more just world, the nonprofit organization cultivates strategic, project partnerships in a collaborative approach to impact the lives of nearly 10,000 children around the globe on a daily basis.
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.
