December 24, 2010 – Wellington, Florida – JustWorld International has formed a
partnership with Equine Canada, the national federation for
equestrian sport in Canada. JustWorld is a not-for-profit,
humanitarian organization working as a catalyst for positive change
in the developing world by helping impoverished children.
By forming an alliance with Equine Canada, JustWorld will have official endorsement from the national governing body. Currently, JustWorld has a strong Canadian presence with 35 of the more than 370 JustWorld Rider Ambassadors hailing from Canada while several top show jumping competitions host fundraising activities. The main focus of JustWorld’s activities is raising funds and awareness for its project sites in Brazil, Cambodia, Guatemala, Honduras, and Senegal.
“Equine Canada and the Canadian Equestrian Team are honoured to join hands with JustWorld International and become part of their work,” said Akaash Maharaj, Chief Executive Officer of Equine Canada. “We hope that our partnership will make a meaningful contribution to improving the lives of the world’s most vulnerable children, and to upholding equestrianism’s higher traditions as a sport of conscience.”
JustWorld will receive recognition through Equine Canada’s promotional materials including its website and bi-monthly Equine Canada magazine. JustWorld and Equine Canada co-branded merchandise will also be offered through the Equine Canada e-store.
“Equine Canada’s endorsement of JustWorld and its activities in Canada is truly an honour,” said Executive Director Jessica Newman, a former grand prix show jumping competitor who gave up her riding career to devote herself to JustWorld International. “We hope that other national federations will follow Canada’s lead and also endorse JustWorld fundraising endeavors in their countries.”
In Canada, JustWorld’s partner horse shows host several fundraising activities to benefit the non-profit organization. The most popular is JustWorld’s signature Horseless Horse Show, where children of all ages compete over a course of ‘people-sized’ obstacles. In 2010, Horseless Horse Shows were held at such well-known venues as the Pepiniere Horse Show in St. Lazare, QC; Thunderbird Show Park in Langley, BC; and L’International Bromont in Bromont, QC. At the National Capital Show Jumping Tournament in Ottawa, ON, a ‘Rock the Runway’ fashion show was held to benefit JustWorld International.
JustWorld currently has two Technical Official Ambassadors, 27 Junior/Amateur Rider Ambassadors and seven Professional Rider Ambassadors in Canada including Erynn Ballard, Angela Covert-Lawrence, Mark Samuel, Tani Zeidler and Olympic Champion Eric Lamaze. As JustWorld Rider Ambassadors, these athletes make significant contributions of prize money to JustWorld International, help to raise awareness of JustWorld activities, and inspire others to get involved.
In Canada, JustWorld International works with the Tides Foundation to ensure that donations made by its Canadian supporters are tax deductible to their fullest extent with Revenue Canada. To make a donation to JustWorld through the Tides Foundation, please visit: http://tidescanada.org/funds/justworld-international-fund/.
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 and currently has project sites in Brazil, Cambodia, Guatemala, Honduras, and Senegal. There are currently more than 370 Rider Ambassadors from 35 different countries, ranging from eight-year-old pony riders to Olympic medalists, who help bring attention to JustWorld International’s cause. For more information on JustWorld International and its upcoming project site visits and fundraising events, please visit www.justworldinternational.org.
About Equine Canada
Equine Canada is Canada's national governing body for equestrianism. A member-driven, charitable institution, it is the executive branch of the Canadian Equestrian Team, and the national authority for equestrian competition; the national voice for recreational riders; and the national association for equine welfare, breeding, and industry. Equine Canada is recognised by the Government of Canada, the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), and the Canadian Olympic Committee as the national organisation representing equestrian sport and equine interests. For more information about Equine Canada, please visit www.equinecanada.ca.
