When in Rome the Longines Global Champions Tour& PremiuMares Give Back

Winner Marie Eder Ferrero, JustWorld International Founder Jessica Newman, and Longines Global Champions Tour Commercial Director Denis Monticolo

"It's incredibly special. I always want to place but when there's meaning attached to it it makes it so much more special," said JustWorld International Ambassador Alexandra Crown, who secured a top five finish in the competitive PremiuMares for JustWorld International CSI2* 1.15m.

This week, the prestigious Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) landed in Rome at the historically stunning venue of Circus Maximus. In Italy, the notion of family runs deep and the realm of show jumping sport is no exception when it comes to the LGCT, who finds every opportunity to embrace the mission JustWorld International (JWI) as their own. Distinguished JWI board member Milena Pappas is the founder of PremiuMares, a major LGCT Rome Sponsor. On Saturday, the LGCT and PremiuMares joined together and dedicated the CSI2* 1.15m to JWI. 

It was a competitive class which saw more than 20 elite combinations contest the course under the golden glow of the Italian sun. Among them were JWI Ambassadors like Alexandra Crown, who had an extra surge of motivation to take competitive lines and add a little more leg. Ultimately it was Marie Eder Ferrero (ITA) and her 14-year-old mare Jina van't Athof who rose to the top. 

The pair took a bold track to finish in 53.44 seconds. It was three seconds ahead of second place finisher Gioia Cremonese (ITA) aboard 13-year-old gelding FBW Casaraki. Ameilia Banks Clark (MON) rounded out the podium with 11-year-old gelding Hocan in a respectable 58.50 seconds. For Ferrero, the win was a moment to reflect on their hard work throughout their two year partnership.

Photocrediit: Longines Global Champions Tour

"Jina I bought two years ago at the end of 2021 and she's just a great horse. She's really speedy and also careful so she's amazing to do these classes on. She's amazing to jump, she feels super. It was really nice because there was a lot of places you could cut and many tight turns that I really enjoyed doing. Winning today makes me feel good about all the hard work we put in. It pays off," Ferrero told JWI Ambassador interviewer Stanislas Angot.

Photocredit:  Longines Global Champions Tour

Rome and Riyadh are the only stages left before the final in Prague, and as the level of competition approaches its crescendo riders are more passionate than ever to secure a top finish. This is all the more true for athletes like Crown when riding a JWI class, who has been an active Ambassador since her early junior years.

"I put a lot of pressure on myself but especially competing at an amazing venue like this. You definitely want to step up your game and do your best...and it's only so often where you get to have Jessica [Newman] at the prize giving. When I heard she was going to be handing out the ribbons I really wanted to bring it home for JustWorld," said Crown.

For Crown, her journey as an Ambassador began as a self-driven spokesperson, wise beyond her 11 years. She built a web platform where she enthusiastically shared information about showing and JWI projects alike, and even hosted her own contests in benefit of the organization. 

"When I was about 11 I made a website about pony hunters in America. I found out about JustWorld through seeing it at the shows and other people I knew who were Ambassadors. So on my website I wrote all about JustWorld," said Crown, smiling. 

Photocredit: Longines Global Champions Tou

"Then Jessica reached out to me and asked me to become an Ambassador and I thought it was the coolest day ever. I felt like a celebrity. That was the start of the journey.I used to run contests for JustWorld, we hosted a jump design contest. It just built from there."

Crown's goals as an Ambassador striding into the future are not so unlike those as an equestrian; ambitious and full of passion. She dreams of one day visiting a project and becoming more personally acquainted with the communities JWI serves.   

Photocredit: Longines Global Champions Tour

"I still haven't been able to go on any of the trips so I would love to be able to do that in the future. And I would love to get more involved because I'm not a junior anymore. I know there are a lot of exciting things coming up for JustWorld so I'm excited to be able to join as an amateur and find my place again," said Crown. 

As the organization continues to evolve, the core mission remains unchanged; fracture the cycle of poverty and improve the lives of children through quality education and a "whole child approach". Education is the greatest weapon against poverty, and JWI acknowledges that children first need to be healthy and sheltered in order to learn. JWI's projects in Cambodia, Honduras, Guatemala and the United States provide essential resources to the children who need it most, and it is with the help of Ambassadors like Crown and devoted partners like the LGCT and PremiuMares which makes it possible.

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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. Thousands of Ambassadors from more than forty countries have since committed to “Ride for the Cause” and transform the lives of children through equestrian sport. In 2019, JustWorld became Official Charity Partner of the Federation 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 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.