JustWorld Junior Rider Ambassador Cayla Richards, left, with Francie Steinwedell Carvin, the first JustWorld Rider Ambassador from California.

September 18, 2009 – San Juan Capistrano, California – California has become a hotbed of activity for JustWorld International, a not-for-profit, humanitarian organization working as a catalyst for positive change in the developing world by helping underprivileged children.

One Junior Rider Ambassador leading the charge is Cayla Richards, 16, of Calabasas, CA. At the Blenheim Fall Tournament in San Juan Capistrano, CA, Richards topped a 35-horse starting field to win the Maclay Regional Final for Region 8 on Saturday, September 12. Her winning mount, Asparagus, is a 15-year-old chestnut Hannoverian gelding that she has owned for the past year.

“Last year I competed in the Regional Final but did not go to the National Final, so I am really looking forward to going to Syracuse this year,” said Richards who attends Chaminade College Preparatory School in West Hill, CA. “I am going to compete this fall at Capital Challenge, Harrisburg, Washington and then Syracuse. It is really exciting.”

In addition to winning the Maclay Regional Finals, Richards also placed second in the Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Classic on Sunday riding Orage, a 13-year-old chestnut Dutch Warmblood mare that she imported from Belgium earlier this year.

Richards, who has been riding since she was five years old, was inspired to become a JustWorld Rider Ambassador when the signature blue riding jackets caught her eye at local shows.

“I saw a bunch of the jumper kids wearing the blue jackets and I researched JustWorld on-line,” said Richards, who became a Rider Ambassador in March. “I love being involved with charity work and obviously I love riding, so it was the perfect way for me to incorporate my two passions into one. I believe that the cause - helping children in third world countries - is so important.”

Richards has teamed up with another Junior Ambassador from California, Sophie Simpson of Thousand Oaks, to raise funds for the sports program at a JustWorld project site in Honduras. The money will be used to buy sports equipment, hire coaches, and rent facilities so that underprivileged children in Honduras have an option to life on the streets, and have the opportunity to learn valuable life skills.

“It takes $9,000 to fund the whole project and, so far, we have raised about $1,500, so anything helps,” said Richards. She would like to visit the JustWorld project site to see first-hand the difference the money she is raising will make. “I would love to go. School gets in the way, but I am hoping that over one of the breaks or over the summer next year, I will be able to go. I think it would be such a life changing experience.”

While Richards is working hard to make a difference, California show organizer Raizy Goffman is also doing her part to raise awareness of JustWorld’s dedication to helping underprivileged children in developing nations. At the shows held at Camelot Farm, Goffman gives exhibitors the option to add a $2 donation to JustWorld on their entry blanks. In 2009 alone, Goffman has already raised several thousand dollars for JustWorld International and its project sites in Brazil, Cambodia, Guatemala, Honduras and Senegal.

The list of Just World Rider Ambassadors in California continues to grow and currently includes Brittany Bazeley, Erin Duffy, Isabelle Gettinger, Susan Hellman, Lauren Hester, Vanessa Holsberry, Allison Kroff, Richard Neal, Alexa Skonieczny, Paris Sellon, Sophie Simpson, Mavis Spencer, Francie Steinwedell Carvin, and Christy Sutherland.

Through annual donations or donations of prize money or proceeds from clinics, volunteering at the JustWorld International events and project sites, or simply by telling people about JustWorld's projects, these riders have chosen to make a difference by competing . . . with a purpose. With many of the Rider Ambassadors wearing the JustWorld signature blue jacket every time they go in the ring, as well as custom saddle pads and fly sheets, JustWorld is at the forefront of the equestrian stage.

To find out how you can become a sponsor or a rider ambassador, please visit www.justworldinternational.org or contact Executive Director Jessica Newman at jnewman@justworldinternational.org.

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.