Kevin Babington: A Model of Courage and Charity
In a remote, mountainous region of Honduras, more than two decades ago, Kevin Babington’s outlook on life changed forever.
There, on a trip with JustWorld International, he met a young woman living in a one-bedroom shack, sharing a bed with five children, using a lean-to as a kitchen. It was a far cry from the life he’d known as a top international show jumper.
“It really struck a chord with me to believe people were going through this,” Babington, who competed for Ireland in the 2004 Olympic Games, says, “to meet these kids [JustWorld] has helped out. If given the opportunity, they go on to be brilliant people. All they need is a chance.”
It was long before Babington’s own name became synonymous with resilience and courage, but he believed in JustWorld founder Jessica Newman’s vision that the equestrian community could help empower children and communities through education. Although his circumstances have changed, he’s continued his support for changing lives—and deferred any credit for it.
“I did a little at the beginning to help out, but I don’t feel like I’ve done a lot,” he says upon learning he’s been chosen as a 2026 gala honoree. “I feel very honored to be selected this year.”
Kevin Babington riding for the cause.
Hitting his Heartstrings
Babington, whose Kevin Babington LLC training stables are based in Wellington, Florida, found JustWorld through TT Mills.
“It sounded very interesting,” Babington recalls. “I was doing well in the sport and thought, ‘I can give a little back.’ It definitely hit my heartstrings.”
That first trip to Honduras, as the group headed from the airport to their hotel, they stopped briefly beside a dump.
“JustWorld supplied books to a school right next to it,” Babington says. “It blew me away when I saw the poverty and the way kids were living, the responsibility on them at such a young age. It really struck a chord. You realize how privileged we are. It’s so easy to do a little, and a little goes a long way.”
Kevin Babington on a JustWorld trip to Honduras.
That experience led to several more: returning to Honduras, visiting Guatemala and Ecuador, and seeing firsthand what happens when education opens the door to opportunity. He vividly remembers the impressions from a trip to El Patojismo, founded by Juan Pablo “JP” Romero Fuentes, in Guatemala.
“What JP did with those kids and the opportunities they gave them—these kids are the future politicians of Guatemala,” Babington says. “That was money well spent, that investment in those kids, to see how happy they were. There were dance classes and so much going on. His passion and devotion for the project were unbelievable. I really enjoyed meeting him and following that project.”
Babington once offered a riding clinic in Guatemala to help raise funds for the school.
“Everybody is born with a clean slate; it’s the opportunities you’re given that make all the difference,” he says.
He recalls that the trips formed bonds within the JustWorld contingent and with the children. “We went to see a little art project, and the smiles on the faces, those kids were beaming from cheek to cheek just from us acknowledging their work. These were kids with very little. They were lucky to have shoes and could barely feed themselves, but they were full of love,” he says. “I came back a different person. I think everyone does. I think it’s something everyone should do every other year just to ground yourself.”
Seeing the Difference
Babington’s perspective on generosity has only deepened since his life-changing spinal cord injury in 2019. “This is a community—it’s a family,” he says of the equestrian world that has also championed his own foundation to support riders who suffer spinal injuries. “There are a lot of people with the means to help, and when they see it’s a good, meaningful cause, they’re willing to dig deep. It’s all about awareness. If we’re a little bit privileged and can give back, that’s what the equestrian world is about.”
Kevin Babington supporting JustWorld at the 2024 annual gala.
He hopes to pass that same sense of purpose on to the next generation. “As riders and coaches, we sometimes forget how much influence we have,” he says. “To be able to take a step back and recognize that and say, ‘I’m going to be part of JustWorld and set aside a little time when I’m planning out my calendar for the year to give something back,’ and there’s so much reward in giving. There’s a certain amount in receiving, but there’s even more in giving when you feel like you can help, and you see it with your own eyes. It’s a great experience.”
Babington’s reflections on gratitude and balance have encouraged him to prioritize what’s most important in life. “We can get caught up in the rat race,” he says. “I spent years going from show to show. Something has to give. Taking even a week off to give back or spend time with family makes a huge difference. We need to step back and appreciate what really matters.”
Two decades later, being recognized by JustWorld brings that perspective full circle. “The fact that Jess and her mom haven’t forgotten about me means a lot,” he says. “I feel like I could have done more, but I’m honored that what I did is remembered. I have the utmost admiration for Jessica and what she’s built. I was there when it was just an idea on paper, and to see what it’s developed into after all these years—it’s incredible.”
If you’re a friend or fan of Kevin Babington and want to join him in supporting JustWorld’s mission to break the cycle of poverty, create a custom congratulatory ad or join us at the gala, January 22, 2026 in Wellington, Florida.
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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 visitwww.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.
