October 30, 2005 – San Lazzaro, Italy – In her first international competition since becoming a Rider Ambassador for JustWorld International, Marie Pellegrin scored victory in the San Lazzaro Grand Prix at CSI*** San Lazzaro di Savena, Italy, held from October 21-23. JustWorld International is a not-for-profit, humanitarian organization founded to work as a catalyst for positive change in the developing world by helping underprivileged children.

In the two-round 22,000 Euro San Lazzaro Grand Prix, Pellegrin was one of 13 riders to return for the second round where she had the luxury of going last after having the fastest time in the first round. She then posted one of seven double clear rounds riding Ice d’Ancoeur, and her time of 41.90 seconds was almost one full second faster than second-placed finisher, Natale Chiaudani, a member of the Italian Team at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, who stopped the clock at 42.78 seconds. Pellegrin will be donating a significant portion of her prize money to JustWorld International.

“My mare was in good spirits and had a strong desire to jump well,” said Pellegrin, who also won Friday’s 6,000 Euro 1.45m and placed third in Saturday’s 5,000 Euro Accumulator competition riding Ice d’Ancoeur, a nine-year-old selle francais mare. “I think the public was sure that their home rider would win as he was the second last to go, but I really wanted the victory.”

A member of three Nations’ Cup teams to date for France, Pellegrin first made a name for herself by competing in three consecutive European Young Riders’ Championships from 1998 to 2000, winning a Team Silver Medal in 1999 and a Team Gold Medal in 2000. In both 1998 and 2000, she also enjoyed top ten finishes individually. This year, Pellegrin and Ice d’Ancoeur have enjoyed several top three finishes in international Grand Prix competition, including a second place finish at CSI*** Lons le Saunier, FRA, in June, but the win in San Lazzaro marked the first victory of the mare’s career.

On the same weekend that Pellegrin was winning in Italy, several other JustWorld Rider Ambassadors were competing in northern France at CSI*** Caen. Great Britain’s Tim Stockdale finished as the runner-up in the 40,000 Euro Caen Grand Prix with Fresh Direct Corlato and was followed in the standings by Gregoire Oberson of Switzerland who placed third riding Gazelle de Beauval. Both riders will be donating a portion of their prize money to JustWorld International. Stockdale also enjoyed a victory on Saturday in the 1.35m Prix des Haras Nationaux riding Fresh Direct Glenwood.

Three other JustWorld Rider Ambassadors also stood in the winner’s circle at CSI*** Caen. On Friday, Eric Navet of France high jumped to the win in the Six Bar competition with Gentleman Platiere and repeated his winning ways on Saturday by claiming the 10,000 Euro Prix Caen Expo Congres riding Cadillac. Belgium’s Gregory Wathelet riding Lomitas won the next class on Saturday’s schedule, the 7,000 Euro Knock-Out. And, on Sunday morning, Canada’s Eric Lamaze, who makes an annual donation of $20,000 to JustWorld International, took home the two-round 7,000 Euro Prix Viacom riding the nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion, Hickstead.

“I was so excited about all these great results!” said Jessica Newman, Executive Director of JustWorld International. “I was able to witness our ambassadors’ wonderful performances at the Caen show, and hearing about Marie’s victory was the icing on the cake. She approached me during the CSI Arezzo about becoming an ambassador, and was very eager to get involved. When she signed the contract, she wanted to give a straight donation to JustWorld International because she did not think she would ever win enough prize money to make a significant donation. Her luck must be changing because she has been winning every since. She was very proud to announce that her first donation as a JustWorld Ambassador was on its way!”

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.

JustWorld International raises awareness and funds in the equestrian community to support humanitarian projects that benefit impoverished communities and children in the developing world. Cooperating with local partners, JustWorld International implements sustainable, culturally sensitive education, health and vocational projects. 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 project sites located in Cambodia, Honduras, Kenya and Senegal, 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.