Tampa, FL - April 6, 2013 - It's all about the children for JustWorld Dressage Ambassador Ashley Holzer. The four-time Olympian has been a true supporter of JustWorld International for three years. She's worked closely with the organization to fulfill JustWorld's mission of raising funds within the global equestrian community to help provide education, nutrition, healthcare and vocational training programs to children in impoverished communities around the world. Her initiatives in and out of the ring have continued to raise awareness for the one-of-a-kind non-profit organization, especially through her magazine Today's Equestrian."I think it is important to bring awareness to this great charity and the great things that the equestrian community is doing for these kids abroad. It is something that I feel very strongly about - that we should give back to our community at large. It is now a global community," Holzer explained. "I think that giving back through education is the best way to give back-giving a handout to people helps them for that minute, but when you educate a child and show them that there is another path, this impacts not only the child, but the whole community."
As publisher of Today's Equestrian, Holzer has supported JustWorld as a sponsor for Horseless Horse Shows, as well as listening to the outreach from her readers to become involved in the non-profit organization that has changed so many lives across the globe.
"I know there are other great charities out there, but this was the charity, where a number of our readers approached us and asked us to be involved. After hearing their pitch, I was hooked. At Today's Equestrian we are thrilled to be able to support our area's talented riders, who not only find time to be dedicated equestrians, but who also MAKE the time to raise money for children they have never met. It is very impressive to see such compassionate individuals. I am excited to show our readers what an impact we can make as an equestrian community in areas desperate for help.
As a Dressage Ambassador of JustWorld, Holzer has worked diligently to continue to raise awareness for impoverished children across the globe. As publisher of Today's Equestrian she has allocated funds through advertising in the popular equestrian magazine, as well as becoming actively involved in the pilot of the JustWorld International Team Challenge, representing Team Cambodia. Her active participation in the discipline of dressage has helped open doors for JustWorld and has brought in fellow riders to support the organization. It was because of the passion and desire that Holzer's readers had for JustWorld International that she decided to brainstorm new ideas to raise awareness. Utilizing Today's Equestrian, she decided to use a page in each upcoming issue to take time to talk about JustWorld. The "JustWorld Corner" will be a recurring section and a permanent fixture in each issue. It will serve to be a "who's who" at JustWorld events, as well as covering upcoming events and bringing focus to new initiatives."We are going to do a page for JustWorld as a way of bringing more awareness to the charity, and also to the great efforts and work that our readers are putting towards this great cause," Holzer elaborated. "I hope our readers will be as moved as I am when they see the impact this wonderful charity has made. I hope this will encourage readers to participate."I find it impressive that every JustWorld Ambassador and supporter, approached the organization on their OWN and asked how they could help-that speaks volumes," Holzer articulated. "When I started the magazine, I felt it was important to promote our great athletes and riders, who are passionate about riding, competing and loving horses. When I hear about kids that go the extra mile, training hard, doing well in school, taking care of their horse, and then they find the time to raise money for kids they have never met, so that they too can have an education, I am impressed."
Holzer joins United States dressage Ambassadors Alexandra Singh, Bebe Davis, Emily Smith, Isabelle Liebler, Lian Wolfe, Berenice Colomb, and Jovanna Stepan Risso in raising awareness and funds for JustWorld in the dressage community.
Founded in 2003 by Jessica Newman, JustWorld International is a not-for-profit, humanitarian organization, which funds life-changing nutrition, health and hygiene, education, as well as leadership and cultural development programs for impoverished children in Cambodia, Honduras and Guatemala. There are currently more than 500 Rider and Technical Official Ambassadors representing 40 different countries, whose efforts to support JustWorld's projects have raised in excess of $6 million to date. For more information on JustWorld, please visit www.justworldinternational.org.
Photo Credit: Ashley Holzer joins JustWorld as an Olympic Dressage Ambassador, bringing creative ideas to raise awareness for JustWorld International through her publication Today's Equestrian. Photo By: Mary Adelaide Brakenridge. Photo may be used only in relation to this JustWorld International press release.
