PRESS RELEASES
JustWorld International Receives Warm Italian Welcome
October 10, 2005
Arezzo, Italy - The first JustWorld International fundraising
initiative held in Italy was met with overwhelming support as
the CSI3* Arezzo Show Jumping competition, Derby d'Italia,
went out of its way to promote and fundraise for the not-for-profit,
humanitarian organization founded to work as a catalyst for
positive change in the developing world by helping underprivileged
children.
The support and efforts of the CSI3* Arezzo organizing committee
saw over $11,000 US raised in support of JustWorld International
with 100% of the proceeds going directly to fund the building
of a school in Kenya. The new school will be built in the impoverished
community of Kibagare in the capital city of Nairobi, allowing
over 300 underprivileged access to education.
Ita Marzotto, President of CSI3* Arezzo held September 30 to
October 2, welcomed JustWorld International and its representatives,
including Executive Director Jessica Newman, to Italy's
Tuscan region as her show's charitable partner.
| 
"Beatrice, Ettore and Riccardo were among the children
that worked tirelessly to raise funds for JustWorld International
at the CSI3* Arezzo in Italy."
Photo Credit - Cymon Taylor |
"I met Jessica in Florida earlier this year and when
she explained JustWorld International and its mission to me,
I thought it was a valid initiative, especially as it is tied
to the sport of show jumping," explained Marzotto of how
the partnership developed. "We try to tie a social event
to our activities, and I thought that JustWorld would be a good
cause to pursue, so we made it this year's project. Luckily,
we had a great response and I am especially pleased that some
of our Italian riders decided to become ambassadors for the
organization, including my own daughter who really believes
in the cause."
On Saturday evening, a dinner, dance and auction, which received
television coverage from two stations, was held for the benefit
of JustWorld International. A local butcher turned auctioneer
who has made a name for himself both in Italy and abroad used
his unique style to attract high bids totaling 7,100 Euros.
Items up for auction included the shoes and bonnet worn by Rodrigo
Pessoa's horse, Lianos, when he won the Individual Gold
Medal at the 1998 World Championships in Rome, Italy; the suede
jacket of well-known Italian television presenter Emilio Fede;
a Tuscan cigar of which only 200 are produced annually; and
a series of Lacoste t-shirts signed by three different Italian
actors. The track suit of popular Italian singer, Pupo, which
he wears during a televised Italian charity football match each
year, also attracted a lot of attention, as did some antique
racing prints donated by UNIRE, the national Italian horse racing
breeding association.
Garnering the highest bid was a 200-year-old bicycle that was
packaged on the auction block with the riding helmet Juan Carlos
Garcia had worn at the 2004 Olympic Games and the 2005 European
Championships where he placed sixth individually, as well as
a dance with the Italian Equestrian Team member. One of CSI3*
Arezzo's sponsors generously paid 2,000 Euros for the
package, then watched his wife dance the merengue with Garcia.
Not to be outdone by the adults, the children also got on board
for the cause, fundraising throughout the show grounds and refusing
to take 'no' for an answer! They even organized
pony rides at the Arezzo Equestrian Center in exchange for donations.
Covered in the JustWorld International logo, the children displayed
a contagious enthusiasm and encouraged everyone to support the
organization.
The Italian Equestrian Federation (FISE) made a direct contribution
of 1,000 Euros to JustWorld International and Piergiorgio Bucci
gave ten percent of his winner's purse from Sunday morning's
1.35m victory. New JustWorld International Rider Ambassadors
were also enlisted including Bruno Chimirri, third in Sunday's
1.35m class, and Giulia Martinengo Marquet of Italy, Marie Pellegrin
of France, Cody Baird of the United States, and Junior Ambassadors
Mia Crocetti and Elena Mariottini, both of Italy. Both Junior
Ambassadors have met with the heads of their schools and have
already begun raising awareness and funds for the nutrition
program at the Kenyan project site.
"The show was incredible - Ita and her team were
so supportive of JustWorld International and they put everything
they had into helping us raise enough money to build a school
in Kenya," said Newman who also noted that the JustWorld
trade fair booth was constantly packed with people asking questions
and making donations, and the not-for-profit's profile
was further enhanced by the jump crew who wore the signature
royal blue hats and t-shirts. "They were also so generous
as to cover all travel and administrative expenses so that one
hundred percent of the money raised for JustWorld International
could go directly towards the project site. The people of Arezzo
were very generous and have a culture of charity. Not only were
they generous in giving money, but so many people were interested
in the details of what JustWorld does and offered to get involved
and help support us in any way that they can."
"This was our first time participating at an Italian
International show," continued Newman. "I was so
touched by everything Ita and her assistant, Denis Monticoloddi,
did to make sure everything was perfect. And the facility itself
is amazing with three huge sand rings, an indoor arena and a
beautiful Grand Prix field. The atmosphere is professional,
yet very warm and relaxed. And it was great to have two of our
Rider Ambassadors, Eric Navet and Philippe Rozier, in attendance,
and to welcome no less than six new Rider Ambassadors to the
JustWorld family."
As is so often the case, the JustWorld Rider Representatives
enjoyed impressive results. New American Ambassador Cody Baird
topped a 66-horse starting field to win Sunday's 1.40m
competition riding Fit, edging out former World Champion Eric
Navet who placed second and fifth-placed Bruno Chimirri. On
Friday, Marie Pellegrin scored victory in the 1.45m competition
riding Unique while Navet was fourth. In the Junior Division,
Mia Crocetti was the runner-up and also placed seventh in Saturday's
1.30m competition while Elena Mariottini topped Friday's
1.30m competition.
The Arezzo Organizing Committee held a total of 28 competitions
in 2005 including several with FEI-sanctioning and are a member
of the CSI4* Riders Tour. Well-known for its 'Tuscan Tour'
each winter, the organizing committee plans to introduce a three-week
Autumn Tuscan Tour in 2006. For more information, please visit
www.gfsarezzo.com.
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.
Founded in 2002, JustWorld International offers volunteer opportunities
for students from around the globe to learn leadership skills
and acquire the tools necessary to make a positive difference
in the world. Cooperating with local partners, JustWorld International
implements sustainable, culturally sensitive projects that benefit
underprivileged children. 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 three project sites
located in Cambodia, Honduras and Senegal, as well as a new
initiative being launched in Kenya, students are working for
change in a wide variety of environments on behalf of JustWorld
International.
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