October 10, 2005 – Arezzo, Italy – The first JustWorld International fundraising initiative held in Italy was met with overwhelming support as the CSI3* Arezzo Show Jumping competition, Derby d’Italia, went out of its way to promote and fundraise for the not-for-profit, humanitarian organization founded to work as a catalyst for positive change in the developing world by helping underprivileged children.

The support and efforts of the CSI3* Arezzo organizing committee saw over $11,000 US raised in support of JustWorld International with 100% of the proceeds going directly to fund the building of a school in Kenya. The new school will be built in the impoverished community of Kibagare in the capital city of Nairobi, allowing over 300 underprivileged access to education.

Ita Marzotto, President of CSI3* Arezzo held September 30 to October 2, welcomed JustWorld International and its representatives, including Executive Director Jessica Newman, to Italy’s Tuscan region as her show’s charitable partner.

“I met Jessica in Florida earlier this year and when she explained JustWorld International and its mission to me, I thought it was a valid initiative, especially as it is tied to the sport of show jumping,” explained Marzotto of how the partnership developed. “We try to tie a social event to our activities, and I thought that JustWorld would be a good cause to pursue, so we made it this year’s project. Luckily, we had a great response and I am especially pleased that some of our Italian riders decided to become ambassadors for the organization, including my own daughter who really believes in the cause.”

On Saturday evening, a dinner, dance and auction, which received television coverage from two stations, was held for the benefit of JustWorld International. A local butcher turned auctioneer who has made a name for himself both in Italy and abroad used his unique style to attract high bids totaling 7,100 Euros. Items up for auction included the shoes and bonnet worn by Rodrigo Pessoa’s horse, Lianos, when he won the Individual Gold Medal at the 1998 World Championships in Rome, Italy; the suede jacket of well-known Italian television presenter Emilio Fede; a Tuscan cigar of which only 200 are produced annually; and a series of Lacoste t-shirts signed by three different Italian actors. The track suit of popular Italian singer, Pupo, which he wears during a televised Italian charity football match each year, also attracted a lot of attention, as did some antique racing prints donated by UNIRE, the national Italian horse racing breeding association.

Garnering the highest bid was a 200-year-old bicycle that was packaged on the auction block with the riding helmet Juan Carlos Garcia had worn at the 2004 Olympic Games and the 2005 European Championships where he placed sixth individually, as well as a dance with the Italian Equestrian Team member. One of CSI3* Arezzo’s sponsors generously paid 2,000 Euros for the package, then watched his wife dance the merengue with Garcia.

Not to be outdone by the adults, the children also got on board for the cause, fundraising throughout the show grounds and refusing to take ‘no’ for an answer! They even organized pony rides at the Arezzo Equestrian Center in exchange for donations. Covered in the JustWorld International logo, the children displayed a contagious enthusiasm and encouraged everyone to support the organization.

The Italian Equestrian Federation (FISE) made a direct contribution of 1,000 Euros to JustWorld International and Piergiorgio Bucci gave ten percent of his winner’s purse from Sunday morning’s 1.35m victory. New JustWorld International Rider Ambassadors were also enlisted including Bruno Chimirri, third in Sunday’s 1.35m class, and Giulia Martinengo Marquet of Italy, Marie Pellegrin of France, Cody Baird of the United States, and Junior Ambassadors Mia Crocetti and Elena Mariottini, both of Italy. Both Junior Ambassadors have met with the heads of their schools and have already begun raising awareness and funds for the nutrition program at the Kenyan project site.

“The show was incredible – Ita and her team were so supportive of JustWorld International and they put everything they had into helping us raise enough money to build a school in Kenya,” said Newman who also noted that the JustWorld trade fair booth was constantly packed with people asking questions and making donations, and the not-for-profit’s profile was further enhanced by the jump crew who wore the signature royal blue hats and t-shirts. “They were also so generous as to cover all travel and administrative expenses so that one hundred percent of the money raised for JustWorld International could go directly towards the project site. The people of Arezzo were very generous and have a culture of charity. Not only were they generous in giving money, but so many people were interested in the details of what JustWorld does and offered to get involved and help support us in any way that they can.”

“This was our first time participating at an Italian International show,” continued Newman. “I was so touched by everything Ita and her assistant, Denis Monticoloddi, did to make sure everything was perfect. And the facility itself is amazing with three huge sand rings, an indoor arena and a beautiful Grand Prix field. The atmosphere is professional, yet very warm and relaxed. And it was great to have two of our Rider Ambassadors, Eric Navet and Philippe Rozier, in attendance, and to welcome no less than six new Rider Ambassadors to the JustWorld family.”

As is so often the case, the JustWorld Rider Representatives enjoyed impressive results. New American Ambassador Cody Baird topped a 66-horse starting field to win Sunday’s 1.40m competition riding Fit, edging out former World Champion Eric Navet who placed second and fifth-placed Bruno Chimirri. On Friday, Marie Pellegrin scored victory in the 1.45m competition riding Unique while Navet was fourth. In the Junior Division, Mia Crocetti was the runner-up and also placed seventh in Saturday’s 1.30m competition while Elena Mariottini topped Friday’s 1.30m competition.

The Arezzo Organizing Committee held a total of 28 competitions in 2005 including several with FEI-sanctioning and are a member of the CSI4* Riders Tour. Well-known for its ‘Tuscan Tour’ each winter, the organizing committee plans to introduce a three-week Autumn Tuscan Tour in 2006. For more information, please visit www.gfsarezzo.com.


JustWorld International Rider Representatives include Kevin Babington of Ireland, Christophe Barbeau of Switzerland, James Benedetto of the United States, Bruno Chimirri of Italy, Angela Covert-Lawrence of Canada, Federico Fernandez of Mexico, Markus Fuchs of Switzerland, Herve Godignon of France, Pauline Guignery of France, Olivier Guillon of France, Imke Hofschroer of Germany, Candice King of the United States, Eric Lamaze of Canada, Rutherford Latham of Spain, Peter Leone of the United States, Robert Maguire of Great Britain, Giulia Martinengo Marquet of Italy, Titi Mills of Honduras, Eric Navet of France, Marie Pellegrin of France, Ludo Philippaerts of Belgium, Philippe Rozier of France, Tim Stockdale of Great Britain, Ray Texel of the United States, Marilyn Vorpe of Switzerland and Gregory Wathelet of Belgium. Through various initiatives, including donating a portion of their prize money and giving clinics to benefit JustWorld International and encouraging their owners, sponsors and youth to follow their lead, riders are able to support the organization’s projects and programs.

Founded in 2002, JustWorld International offers volunteer opportunities for students from around the globe to learn leadership skills and acquire the tools necessary to make a positive difference in the world. Cooperating with local partners, JustWorld International implements sustainable, culturally sensitive projects that benefit underprivileged children. JustWorld International trains and empowers international and local university student volunteers to create and realize these projects, providing them with hands-on experience in promoting social justice. With three project sites located in Cambodia, Honduras and Senegal, as well as a new initiative being launched in Kenya, students are working for change in a wide variety of environments on behalf of JustWorld International. For more information on JustWorld International, please visit www.justworldinternational.org.