November 1, 2005 – Lyon, France – JustWorld Rider Ambassador Markus Fuchs claimed victory in the 80,000 Euro Grand Prix at CSI4* Lyon, France, held October 27-30. 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 one of France’s most prestigious indoor competitions, forty of Europe’s top horse-rider combinations started in the Grand Prix. Exactly one-quarter of the field advanced to the jump-off over the course designed by Gerard Delporte but Fuchs was simply untouchable, setting a pace of 34.81 seconds, almost four seconds faster than the second-placed competitor. While no victory is ever easy, the rider who is currently ranked number four in the world was certainly at the head of the class in Lyon as he proved with Granie 5, a 13-year-old Westphalian mare.

“The horse was in good shape and I took the risk and it turned out well,” said Fuchs, 49, who has been a JustWorld Rider Ambassador for just under a year and, last year, donated 25% of his earnings from the CSI4* Paris Horse Show. “I found the best way around the jump-off course, taking two or three sharper turns, but the horse was in good shape. It was a good win. I am happy to be back on the winning road because I went for the past three or four weeks without a win and was suffering, spending more money than I was making. Now I am back on the good track.

“I believe that people in a comfortable position have an obligation to those people who do not live on the sunny side of life,” Fuchs has noted. “JustWorld International is just one of my personal causes; I try to do many things in an effort to make the world a little bit better.”

For his Grand Prix win, Fuchs took home 20,000 Euro from the well-organized international event that regularly attracts Europe’s top show jumping competition.

A total of six JustWorld Rider Ambassadors competed in the Grand Prix at Lyon, and all six placed within the top 13. In addition to Fuchs’ victory, Gregoire Oberson of Switzerland, who was just named to the Swiss short list for next year’s World Equestrian Games, placed fourth with a clear but slow jump-off round riding Cartoflex Gazelle de Beauval while Great Britain’s Tim Stockdale was ninth on Fresh Direct Corlato after incurring eight faults in the jump-off.

Incurring one time fault to keep him out of the jump-off, Rutherford Latham of Spain placed eleventh on Guarana Champeix, an 11-year-old bay selle francais stallion. Marie Pellegrin, fresh off her Grand win one week earlier at CSI3* San Lazzaro, ITA, was twelfth with the fastest four fault round of the day riding Ice d’Ancoeur. Right behind her in 13th position was Great Britain’s Robert Maguire riding Two Mills Showtime.

“Although I was not in Lyon to witness Markus’ win first-hand, the Grand Prix was broadcast on television later that evening so I was able to watch his spectacular victory!” said JustWorld International Executive Director Jessica Newman. “I don’t know of many people who have his strength and desire to succeed. He is a fascinating rider to watch, and he makes you want to ride each stride with him to the finish line. It only takes a fraction of his motivation and drive to see a lot of positive changes in the world.”

It was a successful weekend for JustWorld Rider Ambassadors elsewhere, too. Switzerland’s Maryline Vorpe rode Longines to the win in two 1.35m classes at CSI3* Liege, BEL. Vorpe was also tenth in the 1.50m Liege Grand Prix with her experience partner, Mercure du Chabel, after incurring four faults in the second round. Fellow Ambassador Eric Lamaze of Canada also had four faults in round two, but a faster time placed him eighth with his developing stallion, Hickstead. And, across the Atlantic, JustWorld Junior Ambassador Natalie Johnson was crowned the Grand Junior Hunter Champion at the CSI-W Washington International Horse Show riding Moulin Rouge.

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.