Angela Lawrence (middle), a JustWorld Rider Ambassador representing Canada, won the Audi Cup Grand Prix in Quito, Ecuador, on December 13. Photo Credit - none required
All junior and professional riders participating in the 'Copa Francisco Nussbaun' horse show in Quito, Ecuador. Photo Credit - none required

December 15, 2008 – Quito, Ecuador – JustWorld Rider Ambassadors Kevin Babington, Nick Dello Joio and Angela Lawrence enjoyed great success competing in the ‘Copa Francisco Nussbaun’ horse show at Rancho San Francisco from December 11-14 in Quito, Ecuador. JustWorld International is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of disadvantaged children in the developing world.

The three Rider Ambassadors were among the eight international riders invited to compete at the Ecuadorian horse show on borrowed horses. On the opening night of competition, Lawrence, a Rider Ambassador from Canada, and her borrowed horse won the speed class by almost five seconds. Dello Joio of the United States finished fourth while Irish Rider Ambassador, Kevin Babington, took fifth.

“There were 30 riders in the class, and each of the JustWorld Ambassadors were clear and took turns being in the lead,” said Lawrence whose husband, Mike Lawrence, a member of the JustWorld International Board of Directors, acted as chef d’equipe for the three ambassador riders. “Kevin was one of the first riders to go and moved into the lead, and then Nick went about 10 horses later and took over the lead. I was third-to-last, and I decided to take an inside turn to the double combination which no else did, and I ended up winning.”

A Nations Cup-style team event was Friday evening’s feature, with each of the international riders forming teams with two or three local riders. Saturday night brought the Audi Cup Grand Prix, run in a format that saw the top eight riders return for the second round. The order of go for the class was set based on results throughout the week, giving Lawrence the advantage of going last. Putting in a double clear performance, Lawrence emerged the winner. Ironically, Lawrence’s partner, Nivita, is a 10-year-old Canadian-bred mare that the owner, Anna Christina Gansauer, purchased in the Vancouver area as a two-year-old. In another twist of fate, Gansauer placed second in the Audi Cup Grand Prix riding one of her other horses.

“She was super. She was exactly my type of horse – a little difficult and a little hot!” laughed the Canadian Rider Ambassador, who will donate her prize money to JustWorld International. “We clicked right away. I knew from the moment I got on her that I would like her.”

For Dello Joio, 19, the trip to Ecuador marked the first time he had been to an event to compete on borrowed horses.

“It was great, especially for someone young like me,” noted Dello Joio, who placed fifth in the Grand Prix riding Tambo Rock. “I learned a lot. It was also great that they trusted us and gave us their good horses to ride. I had a super careful little stallion. I would love to have him in the States if I could!”

The reception given to the JustWorld Rider Ambassadors was extremely positive and attracted a lot of attention from the crowd as well as the local competitors, many of whom requested application forms to become Rider Ambassadors.

“JustWorld has become so well-known in Central and South America, and being at the show in Ecuador really created a buzz,” said Lawrence. “The organizers were so honored to have a JustWorld presence at their show. All three of us felt like rock stars! Little kids would run up to meet us, walk the courses with us, and have their pictures taken with us. We gave away hundreds of JustWorld pins, which were a hot commodity. It was very special to ride in Ecuador as a JustWorld Ambassador.”

Dello Joio agreed, saying, “It was great promotion for JustWorld. It made a bunch of other riders want to get involved, and many were asking what they could do to help JustWorld.”

The trip was organized by JustWorld International Founder and Executive Director, Jessica Newman, herself a former grand prix competitor.

“I was invited and asked to bring a delegation of JustWorld Ambassadors to participate in the show with the mission of helping to raise the profile of JustWorld throughout the Ecuadorian equestrian world,” explained Newman. “The show organizers hope to become one of the top shows in South America in the coming years, and to create a long-term partnership with JustWorld International by organizing future shows to benefit JustWorld. As there is also a huge amount of poverty and underprivileged children, we are also looking into the possibility of starting a JustWorld project site in Ecuador.

“I am so proud of the three ambassadors who represented us in Ecuador,” continued Newman. “Not only are all three super riders and competitors, they are also great human beings who embody the qualities that JustWorld looks for in its ambassadors. By the end of the show, all three ambassadors had their own fan clubs and when Angela won the Grand Prix, she was showered in rose petals by young fans as she took her victory gallop. The competition was incredibly special, and overall it was a very meaningful trip for JustWorld International.”

Founded in 2002 by former grand prix show jumping competitor Jessica Newman, 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.