JustWorld International Well-Represented in Wellington, Florida


Jessica Newman, Executive Director of JustWorld International, recognizes Natalie Johnson as the most distinguished Rider Ambassador for her tremendous contributions to the organization. Photo Credit - Sportfot

Marquee Cincotta-Stephens, wearing the signature JustWorld International jacket, won four Children's Jumper titles during the Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo Credit - Sportfot

March 19, 2007 – Wellington, Florida – At the conclusion of the eight-week Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) show jumping circuit held January 24 to March 18, 2007, in Wellington, FL, numerous JustWorld Rider Ambassadors had made a trip to the winner's circle. Their victories helped to promote and raise the profile of the work being carried out by JustWorld International, a not-for-profit, humanitarian organization founded to work as a catalyst for positive change in the developing world by helping underprivileged children.

The most successful JustWorld Rider Ambassador was Markus Fuchs of Switzerland. Despite having only arrived in Florida for the last three weeks of competition, Fuchs, the number five ranked rider in the world, won four major classes in total during his short stay. The most high profile was the $100,000 Zada Masters Cup Grand Prix, a World Cup Qualifying event, riding La Toya III.

Eric Lamaze enjoyed a successful WEF, topping the FTI Rider Rankings for a $100,000 bonus at the end of the circuit. He was a member of Canada's victorious Nations' Cup team for the second year in a row riding Hickstead and claimed the $25,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round II with Lorrain Z. Another professional rider, American Olympian Peter Leone, enjoyed victory in the $8,000 1.45m competition riding Julia du Brio.

Amateur Ambassadors did equally well representing JustWorld International. Natalie Johnson of Greenwich, CT, claimed a $10,000 High Amateur/Owner Classic riding Crocket 16 as well as two $10,000 Medium Amateur/Owner Classics riding Jeremy. In addition, she took home four Championship titles from this year's WEF. Not surprisingly, Johnson was recognized, for the second year in a row, as JustWorld's most distinguished Rider Ambassador for her tremendous contributions to the organization. A student at New York University, Johnson generously donates one hundred percent of her prize money to JustWorld International and has twice visited its project sites in Honduras.

Annabel Simpson was named the Low Amateur/Owner Reserve Champion with It's Morado while Catie Boone and Nalieda won the $2,500 High Junior Jumper competition on the last week of competition at the WEF. Isabel Jolicoeur and All Frosty won a $1,000 Children's Jumper class while Abigail Quirk Cooper claimed a championship title in the children's hunter division. Marquee Cincotta-Stephens won no fewer than four Children's Jumper classes as well as the Children's Jumper Championship on the final week of competition with Words of Wisdom. And while Nick Dello Joio did not actually win a class at the WEF, he had more top ten placings on the circuit than any other JustWorld Rider Ambassador with a total of 23.

With their signature JustWorld blue jackets as well as other paraphernalia such as saddle pads and coolers, JustWorld Rider Ambassadors could be easily spotted throughout the show grounds bringing attention to the organization simply by competing in their chosen sport.

"We've had a lot of youth that have gotten involved this year, and very actively at that," said Jessica Newman, Executive Director of JustWorld International. "With new supporters, JustWorld is stronger than ever."

JustWorld International also raised its profile throughout the WEF by hosting a number of events. Its popular JustWorld Training Show and Fundraiser, now in its fourth year, was another huge success while a Hunter Training Show was a new addition to the line-up. The second annual Horseless Horse Show allowed young children the opportunity to 'jump for a just world'.

During the final week of competition, the €25,000 Chesapeake Petroleum Benefit Cup was held as part of the CSI5* CN WorldWide Wellington Finale featuring the Global Champions Tour of which JustWorld International is the official charity partner. Following the €25,000 Chesapeake Petroleum Benefit Cup, JustWorld Rider Ambassador Victoria McCullough opened her home in celebration of the Global Champions Tour's arrival in Wellington.

"I cannot give enough thanks to all of our rider ambassadors, advisory board members, directors, volunteers, officials and donors for making the Winter Equestrian Festival such a huge success in terms of promoting JustWorld International," enthused Newman, who gave up her own grand prix riding career in order to focus solely on JustWorld International. "We owe a special thanks to Gene Mische and all of the staff at Stadium Jumping for their support. The circuit finished off with a bang with the Global Champions Tour Grand Prix being televised live on Eurosport, and we look forward to being a part of the upcoming stops on the Tour."

Before the next leg of the Global Champions Tour gets underway in Cannes, France, JustWorld International is organizing trips to Honduras in March and Cambodia in April to visit its project sites. Over the past four years through its fundraising endeavors, JustWorld International has raised almost $2 million for its project sites in Honduras, Cambodia, Kenya, Senegal, and Brazil. Since its first fundraising event in 2004, the Wellington show jumping community and the Winter Equestrian Festival in particular have been extremely supportive of JustWorld International.

Founded in 2002, 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. For more information on JustWorld International and its upcoming fundraising events, please visit www.justworldinternational.org.