Rider Representatives Visit Honduras

Volume 1, Issue 5, July/August, 2004
Jump for a Just World
I
Newsletter
Rider Representatives
Visit Honduras
n June of 2004, two ‘Jump for a Just World’ Junior Representatives, Natalie Johnson and
Jessica Speiser, traveled to Honduras to witness first-hand the humanitarian work that they
are supporting. Both athletes donate all of the money they win in the show ring to JustWorld
International, and being able to see the benefits of their donation was a life-changing experience.
Unfortunately, fellow Junior Representative Josephine Nash was unable to join them, but has
also donated all of her winnings to the Honduras project.
Jessica Speiser –
Everyone Can Make A Difference’
Natalie Johnson –
A Personal Perspective
This past June I visited the JustWorld International
project site located in Tegucigalpa, the capital of
Honduras. The intentions of the trip were to spend
time with the street kids, evaluate how we could help
them improve their lives, and hopefully give them
optimism for a better future.
Jump at the Old Salem
As I sat on the plane en route of the Just World
Horse Show.
Photo By – James Leslie Parker
from Miami to Tegucigalpa, I tried
to imagine what I would find at the Honduran shelter for
street children, a project I had been supporting with my
horse show winnings. Jessica Newman, the founder
of Just World International, had told me a lot about
INHFA, the government-run shelter for Honduran street
children, and I had recently seen a CNN documentary
on street children in Romania that shocked me - young
children were sniffing glue in
paper bags and being sold into
prostitution by their own parents
for money they so desperately
needed. Jessica had warned
us that the conditions we would
find would be heartbreaking.
Still, it was hard to imagine
the things I would experience
during my week there.
While I expected the conditions in Honduras to
be bad, they were even more horrific than I had
imagined. We saw families
living in garbage dumps and
small tin shacks; children
were abandoned and living in
centers that lack the funds to
buy baby formula for infants
and medicine for sick children.
Educational opportunity is
almost nonexistent, and the
nourishment available barely
satisfies the needs of the
children.
I had originally been skeptical
that the small sum of money I
won through competing at horse shows could make
any kind of substantial difference in fighting poverty
around the world. But, after spending time with the
children at the INHFA center, I realized that even the
smallest amount of money really does make a
CONT’D PAGE 3
Jessica Speiser and Josephine Nash in front
Jessica met our group at the
airport in Tegucigalpa who
took us to our hotel to start
preparations for the week’s
activities. That afternoon, we toured the city of
Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras, and stopped in
a very poor neighborhood where shacks were made
out of spare materials that looked as if they had been
gathered from waste sites. A group of young children,
CONT’D PAGE 2
1
Jump for a Just World
Rider Representatives
playing with an old tire, rushed
out to greet us. Erick, the young
CONT’D FROM PAGE 1 . Honduran street boy whom
Jessica Newman had met on
her first trip to Honduras and who she continues to mentor,
refused to come out of the van with us because he was afraid of
the gangs in that area, but our driver and our guide both knew
the area and assured us that we were safe. At the end of the
day, we drove along a river that had ravaged many homes during
the devastating Hurricane Mitch in 1998. The damage from the
hurricane was still visible. We saw children rummaging through
a huge dumpster, gathering food and anything potentially useful
that they could find while vultures circled overhead. Even
though I have traveled to many developing countries around
the world such as Tanzania, China, and Fiji, I had never seen
children living in such desperate conditions before.
Nathalie Johnson .
The next day, the Honduran Minister of Tourism gave us a
fascinating introduction to the many attractions and economic
challenges faced by his country. One particularly interesting
part of the talk focused on sustainable tourism, which is
Honduras’ innovative strategy for developing its tourism without
compromising its environment or indigenous cultures. It was
clear that Honduras could easily enjoy the same eco-tourism
boom that Costa Rica has; it has magnificent Mayan ruins in
Copan, untouched rainforests in its interior, sea turtle preserves
on its Caribbean coasts, and world-class snorkeling and diving
around the Bay and Hog Islands. It was encouraging to see
what amazing potential this country has.
That afternoon, Jessica completed our introduction to Honduras
with a discussion on the challenges the country faces with
its extreme poverty. Poverty, and the inevitable crime that
accompanies it, has been on the rise in Honduras. As a result,
many children have ended
up on the streets. INHFA,
the center we would visit the
next day, is a crisis center
that provides temporary care
to children who have been
rescued off the street. I was
amazed to learn that the First
Lady goes on these rescue
missions herself at two in the
morning to bring children from the streets to INHFA. She has
even adopted five of these street children. At the INHFA center,
we were told that the children learn social skills, basic hygiene,
and self esteem. The staff at the center is stretched thin with
only two caretakers for every forty children. Our three college
student volunteers from JustWorld International, who had
just arrived to work for the summer, would supplement these
permanent staff by providing stimulating activities and much
needed affection and personal attention.
After this introduction, we went to the INHFA center for our first
‘hands-on’ experience with the street children. As soon as we
walked into the room where the young girls lived, an adorable
little girl in a pink dress leaped up into my arms. She wouldn’t
let me put her down the whole time I was there. Many other girls
2
Visit Honduras
came up and hugged me and asked my name. I loved playing
with these sweet children, but I was also deeply saddened by
how much they were in need of love and affection. At least thirty
young girls were crowded into one small room with little to do.
There were three beds in which they took turns sleeping. When
it came time to leave, my little friend in pink started to cry when I
tried to put her down. It was so hard to leave. I really understood
how much we helped to lift their spirits simply by spending time
with them.
Then we visited the room
with
the
babies
and
toddlers.
Their parents
had abandoned most of
them; some were even left
in garbage cans. We were
horrified to hear that the
babies were fed blended rice
and beans instead of more
nutritious milk or formula.
The babies were left in cribs all day long with little stimulation
other than the occasional visit from the overworked “tias” (the
female staff). One little baby boy sat slumped in a chair, crying
softly. We learned that, the day before, his mother had left him
at the center because she was being beaten by her husband
and wanted to try to protect her son. As we left the building, two
adorable little boys peeked out and waved at us through the bars
that covered all of the shelter’s windows.
The next day, before returning to the center, we went to some
large department stores and purchased art supplies, food,
clothing, and other necessities such as diapers and infant
formula. All of these supplies were purchased with horse show
winnings that my friend, Jessica Speiser, and I had donated to
JustWorld International. We were so excited by the thought of
bringing these supplies to the children we had met at the center.
When we arrived, dozens of children rushed up to our van and
helped us to unload these ‘treats’. It was extremely satisfying
to see how excited the children were and the happiness we had
brought to them that day.
I spent the day working with the young boys alongside one of the
JustWorld college interns, Fernando. We gave all of the children
crayons and paper and spent many happy hours sitting on the
floor colouring an assortment of pictures. Three of the boys
were severely handicapped and did not have the use of their
legs, but they loved the drawing as much as any of the others.
Fernando told us that many handicapped children in Honduras
are abandoned because their parents are unable or unwilling to
provide for their special needs.
The best part of that day was that the boys kept asking us to draw
them an outline of ‘Tweety Bird’ that they could color in. I must
have outlined thirty of them! They all wanted my mom to take
digital pictures of them displaying their artwork. One little boy
asked me to draw him a car and when I gave it to him, he looked
at me with disappointment and said “Muy malo!,,” laughing at my
primitive artistic skills. Drawing has never been one of my strong
points, but I still had a wonderful time.
CON’T ON PAGE 3
Con’t
difference in people’s lives.
CONT’D FROM PAGE 1 . Natalie and I used our
combined winnings that we
had donated to JustWorld International to purchase food,
clothing, and arts and crafts supplies for the children
living at the center. The children lack so many things
that we take for granted; their eyes lit up when we gave
them such things as simple
paper and crayons. Being
face-to-face with this kind
of poverty and sadness
made me aware of just
how influential my winnings
can be and that every bit of
time and money really can
help.
Jessica Speiser .
We are very privileged to live in the wealthiest country
in the world, a country that provides us with many
opportunities, some of which we may take for granted.
I am learning that I can make a difference through my
riding and by donating my
time, and hopefully I can give
opportunities to children from
many different countries that
lack the same opportunities I
have been given. Our visit to
Honduras has given me a new
awareness that I hope to share
with people who have never experienced a trip like this
firsthand and to help make a difference by getting others
involved.
NATHALIE JOHNSON CONT’D FROM PAGE 2....
After providing the children with a more nutritious lunch than
usual, we enjoyed a special treat of cake and ice cream. One
of the little boys said that his favorite part was the strawberries
on the cake because they almost never have fruit and if they do,
its usually bananas. Their main diet consists of rice and some
beans.
That afternoon, I spent some time talking through the bars on
the windows to the teenage girls. Many of them were close to
my age and it really made me realize how lucky I am. When
we had to leave at the end of the day, one little boy begged our
group to take him with us. Many of the children asked us when
we would return. I wished I could stay and spend more time with
these children who were so appreciative of the affection and
attention we gave them.
After this highly emotional day at the shelter, we spent the next
Junior Representative
JESSICA SPEISER
Does JustWorld Proud
Riding for JustWorld International as
a Junior Representative, 17-year-old
Jessica Speiser of Armonk, NY, impressed
with strong performances at the Devon
Horse Show held May 27-June 5 in
Pennsylvania.
Speiser placed second in the prestigious
$10,000 Junior Jumper Classic riding
her 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare,
Libidou, to claim their share of $2,000 Photo by James Leslie Parker
in prize money, which Speiser donated to
JustWorld International. The pair also placed sixth in a
Gambler’s Choice competition held Friday evening.
“My horses have been amazing,” said Speiser, who
purchased Libidou, better known as ‘Libby’ around the
barn, in February. “Libby was awesome, I couldn’t have
asked for a better horse to move up to the High Junior
Jumper division on. She has so much heart and really
tries as hard as she can, no matter what. To place second
in the Junior Jumper Classic was really unexpected
as I had only started
competing in that division
the last two weeks of
the Winter Equestrian
Festival in Wellington,
Florida, in March.”
Speiser also enjoyed
success in the equitation
divisions, taking second in the ASPCA
Maclay Medal Horsemanship class riding Simplicity.
One week earlier at the Old Salem Farm Charity horse
show in North Salem, New York, Speiser won the USET
equitation class riding Fax de Laine.
Photo by James Leslie Parker
day visiting other projects with which JustWorld was looking
to partner. First, we went to the top of a hill in the outskirts
of Tegucigalpa to a huge municipal garbage dump. I could
hardly believe my eyes. There was a hillside overflowing
with garbage that over four hundred families combed
through everyday looking for things that could be recycled
and sold for much need money. They also found food
among the trash. It was almost unbearable to watch small
children and their families rummaging through piles of waste
with hordes of vultures circling overhead. It is a scene I will
never forget and showed me how desperate the poverty is
in this country, the second poorest nation in Latin America
behind Haiti.
Finally, we visited some centers run by a local nongovernmental organization, ‘Associacion Compartir’.
Compartir works in the three poorest districts of Tegucigalpa
and have built educational an vocational centers for the
CON’T ON PAGE 4
3
Eye on Honduras - PART 3
In the third and final section of this series,
JustWorld International Executive Director
Jessica Newman discusses the final days of
her site visit to Honduras with Jump for a Just
World rider representative Titi Mills.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 2004
Titi and I went to the Presidential Palace to meet Victor,
the First Lady’s assistant, who took us to the center for
street children where our JustWorld Volunteers will be
working this summer. This center provides shelter for
over 100 children, from babies to young teenagers. It
is well organized and directly supervised by the First
Lady and her staff. However, they are in desperate
need of more help as an increasing number of street
kids are rescued every day. The First Lady has offered
to accept as many qualified volunteers as JWI can
provide.
JWI Volunteers will gain a wide range of experiences
working with the street children. Fifty percent of
their time will be spent working at the center; helping
care for the children; assisting the social workers
in psychological examinations; leading the kids in
recreational sports, art, and other activities; and
teaching English. The rest of their time will be spent
accompanying the rescue teams who get troubled
youth off the streets or out of their abusive homes.
After the children are rescued, they are taken to the
center for care, protection, and psychological and
health examinations. The Volunteers will assist in
this process and then go to the children’s homes and
investigate the situation in an effort to understand why
the children ended up on the street.
THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2004
Today was our last day in Honduras.
Titi and I started the morning by being
interviewed for an article in Estilo
magazine about JustWorld International,
the equestrian world, and humanitarian
work.
We next met with Victor to discuss Erick’s
education. Victor will assist us in finding the right
high school for him. He will also enrol in English and
computer classes five days a week. Erick’s dream is
to help all street children in Honduras. What better
4
NATHALIE JOHNSON CONT’D FROM PAGE 3...
children who have family members living there. Unlike
INHFA, the children at these centers have been reintegrated
with their families - either immediate or extended - after
being taken off the street. What a difference we saw in
comparison to the INHFA children! These centers were
run very well, providing many stimulating activities for the
children who all looked happy. Our group decided that the
Just World interns should study these centers to learn what
‘best practices’ could be adopted for the INHFA center. In
addition, we discussed the possibility of JustWorld and
Compartir building a center for kids in transition and those
who are orphaned so that they can receive the same care,
attention and opportunity for a dignified future as the other
children who Compartir helps.
I was so sorry when my week was over because I felt that
so much more needed to be done and I wanted to continue
helping. Although it may sound trite, after seeing these
poor children, I knew
I couldn’t stand by
and do nothing. As a
founding member of
the Just World junior
rider
representative
program, I returned
home determined to
do everything I can to
improve the conditions
of
these
wonderful
‘Jump for a Just World’ Junior Rider Representative, Natalie
children that I had spent
Johnson, shown here competing at Lake Placid
time with. I had seen
Photo by - James Leslie Parker
what a huge difference
every dollar could make in the everyday lives of these
unfortunate kids. While I know I can’t do everything I would
like for these street children on my own, I hope I will be able
to inspire many other junior riders to join me in supporting
the wonderful work of JustWorld International in Honduras.
example of a leader for social justice than a young
man who lived on the streets for 9 years, is only 15
years old, and is helping others like him through
JustWorld International! Erick never took drugs or
turned to crime and has even returned
to school to learn to read and write.
By telling his story, he can prove to
thousands of others that there is a
way out and that they, too, can have a
future.
We are all very excited about this trip,
and I feel proud that JWI is able to help
Erick become a leader for social justice
in his own right. The opportunities
available for JWI Volunteers in
Honduras to work for social justice abound, and
it is my hope that the experiences they have here
will help them initiate other projects in their home
countries and around the world.
Exploring Options for JustWorld International Aid in
A JustWorld International (JWI) delegation comprised of Dr.
Susan H. Perry, Hilary Betaille, Maria Newman, and Rebecca
Hewes spent ten days in Thailand and Cambodia this past
June assessing potential partners and project sites. Both of
these countries are in desperate need of international help
to address the very different, but serious, problems affecting
their people.
While in Thailand, the JWI delegation was invited to participate
in high-level meeting hosted by the United Nations InterAgency Project on Human Trafficking in the Greater Mekong
Sub-region. The illegal trafficking of women and children is
a serious problem for Thailand and its neighbours, and many
organizations are working with the victims of trafficking to help
them either return to their original homes or make new lives for
themselves in their new country. JWI
is currently exploring partnerships
with a number of NGOs working to
stop human trafficking in the region,
and JWI student volunteers Naomi
Hope and Rana Valenzuela spent
three weeks following up
on this initial JWI visit and
visiting various project sites in
Thailand.
In Cambodia, the delegation
met with the Ministry of Social
Affairs to explore possibilities for
aiding this underprivileged country
with the education of its youth.
Vocational training appears to be one of the most realistic
solutions for providing hope for a better future to young
Cambodians. JWI student volunteers Alexander Chodak
and Chhavi Sharma are currently helping place Cambodian
orphans in vocational centers where they can learn trades
and skills that will help them find employment or create their
own businesses. Much remains to be done in order to help
the Cambodians overcome the disastrous effects of years of
war and genocide, and JWI is actively seeking competent
local partners where student volunteers can make a real and
positive difference for the local population.
Student Volunteer Chhavi Sharma
Discusses JustWorld International’s Role in Cambodia
Situated in the heart of Southeast Asia, Cambodia, like
the other developing countries in this region, has its own
paradoxes. Besides the beautiful and colourful landscape,
the hot sun and the clear blue skies, the tropical monsoon
climate and the lush green palm trees on the sandy beaches,
Cambodia is also the land of dirt and dust, underdeveloped
infrastructure and chaotic traffic.
Moreover, home to a largely young and unemployed
population, the streets of Cambodia are filled with little
Cambodia
Thailand
and
children selling raw meat, exotic fruits, and pretty jasmine
bracelets. As a result of twenty years of war, genocide, and
terror under the Khmer Rouge regime, the once wealthy
and fascinating face of this country has
now been completely destroyed.
For almost a decade now, the
Cambodians, along with a network of
different local and international nongovernmental organizations working in
the urban capital of Phnom Penh and
Chhavi
the rural provinces, have been striving
Sharma
to build and reconstruct their nation and
self-identity. In order to make a difference
while encouraging and assisting the Cambodians in this
process, JustWorld International is partnering with local
NGOs working with those most vulnerable. JWI Volunteer
Alexander Chodak and I are currently working with local
street children in the Cambodian Children Protection and
Saving Organisation (CCPSO) in Phnom Penh. JWI is
giving us the opportunity to aid disenfranchised teenagers,
an integral part of Cambodia’s future and next generation.
Despite living in a large family atmosphere created by
CCPSO, going to public school and enjoying what is given
to them by their sponsors (though it still amounts to the bare
minimum), the orphans need help to build their confidence
and encouragement to take initiative. It is essential that
the seed of the motivation to learn, progress, and improve
their lot be nurtured. The ultimate aim is to make them
self-reliant, economically independent, responsible, and
productive members of Cambodian society. As volunteers
working in the field, our task is to begin rebuilding their
social skills by lending them an ear, giving them a helping
hand by teaching them English through arts and sports
activities, and educating them about issues relating to
health and hygiene. In addition, the task of helping the
children realize the importance of attending school or
vocational training to receive an education and earn a
living is a challenging one. The exposure to different
cultures through the JWI volunteers awakens the curiosity
of these children, kindles their desire to learn more, and
enriches their own limited experience. The experience of
working with these children is extremely interesting and
rewarding for us as JWI volunteers, and it is one that is
helping us to grow as individuals while also helping the
world around us.
This project is just one step in the growth and development
of Cambodia and in realizing the hopes and dreams of
these young Cambodians. The road ahead is bound to be
long and arduous for these young orphans of Cambodian
society but, with the right guidance, education and training,
the path will become much smoother. The role of JWI in
reaching this goal in Cambodia, though modest, is vital.
5
‘Jump for a Just World’
Enjoys Successful European Launch
Following a successful introduction into the world of show
jumping in North America, ‘Jump for a Just World’ was
launched in Europe during the inaugural ‘Jump Eure’
competition held July 1-4, 2004, at Haras Seabird in
France.
Located exactly 50 miles from the heart of Paris, Haras
Seabird is home to well-known French Olympian and
‘Jump for a Just World’ Advisory Board member, Herve
Godignon, and his wife, Olivia, who acted as the show’s
directors. Their generous support gave
JustWorld International the opportunity
to formally introduce the ‘Jump for a
Just World’ initiative to the French show
jumping community.
“I have been riding all my life and now it is
time to give back,” commented Godignon,
a member of France’s Bronze Medal
Team at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic
Games. “I think that JustWorld is a great
concept, I fully support the mission of the
organization, and I think it is important to
educate people and help to change their
way of thinking.”
Herve Godignon guides Calypso d’Herbiers to the win in the inaugural
‘Jump Eure’ Grand Prix competition held July 4, 2004,
at Haras Seabird in France.
Rhonda Rioux of Canada, a member
of the Advisory Board, spoke about
the tremendous progress ‘JustWorld’
is making, with successful movements
now underway on both sides of the
Atlantic. Rioux had traveled from Quebec
specifically to take part in the European
launch and was thrilled by the tremendous
support
extended
to
JustWorld
International by the French equestrian
community.
Photo By – Sportfot, Thierry Billet
Fittingly, Godignon, 52, was the winner of the first ‘Jump
Eure’ Grand Prix, jumping to victory with his long-time
partner, the 14-year-old selle francais stallion Calypso
d’Herbiers. Only three of the original 56 riders mastered
the track set by France’s own Serge Houtmann, also a
member of the ‘Jump for a Just World’ Advisory Board. The
first competitor back in the ring for the jump-off, Godignon
posted another clear round, a performance that neither of
his two challengers could rival.
“Herve was so tired after putting all of his efforts into
organizing the show that he was debating whether he was
even going to ride in the grand prix,” explained Jessica
Newman, Executive Director of JustWorld International.
“Knowing that so many people came out from his
hometown to watch him compete helped convince him.
In the jump-off, there were 4,000 spectators all cheering
for Herve! After he won, the first thing he said was that
he didn’t know how he had done it, he was so tired from
organizing the show!”
Godignon donated a generous portion of his prize money
to JustWorld International. There was little doubt that the
first edition of the ‘Jump Eure’ competition was a success –
over 2,500 horses competed over four days of competition
that offered divisions for amateurs as well as professionals,
a rarity in Europe.
In addition to Godignon, ‘Jump for a Just World’ rider
6
representative Eric Navet was also in attendance and
enjoyed a top ten finish in Sunday’s Grand Prix. The
newly crowned French National Champion addressed the
crowd at a special cocktail reception held Friday evening
to introduce ‘Jump for a Just World’. Navet gave a sincere
and moving speech about his reasons for becoming a rider
representative, saying that he truly believes in the mission
of the organization and that it was time that the equestrian
community got involved in helping the world around it. He
focused his appeal to the youth of the sport, encouraging
them to follow his lead and get involved.
During a presentation in the grand prix
ring on Sunday, several ‘Jump for a Just World’ Junior rider
representatives, aged 10 to 16, spoke to the crowd about
their reasons for getting involved, including the commitment
and enthusiasm they were determined to bring to the
organization.
As a fundraising initiative, clinics with some of the top
names in the sport were raffled
off for the benefit of JustWorld
International.
Trainers who
donated their services included
Eugenie and Florian Angot, who
will represent France at the 2004
Olympic Games, Reynald Angot,
Jacques Bonnet, Roger-Yves
Bost, Robert Bruel, Patric Caron,
Frederic Cotier, Herve Godignon,
1996 Olympic individual bronze
medallist Alexandra Ledermann,
Eric Navet, Philippe Rozier and
‘Jump for a Just World’s’ most Herve Godignon with Capucine Von Roey (left)
and Jessica Newman (right) at the
recent rider representative, Olivier
prize giving ceremony.
Photo By – Bertrand Von Roey
Guillon.
“I can’t tell you how much Herve did for Just World, it was
beyond our expectations,” noted Newman. “Herve managed
to hold a show with great personality and class on his first
attempt. Everyone who attended had the time of the their
life, and I have no doubt that it will quickly become one of the
best horse shows in the world!”
‘Jump for a Just World’ Rider Representative
ANGELA COVERT-LAWRENCE
the $35,000 Manchester Classic Grand Prix
Wins
Photo by Cealy Tetley
in Vermont
Chopping.
Angela Covert-Lawrence of Canada
enjoyed yet another victory this season
with a win in the $35,000 Manchester
Classic Grand Prix held Sunday, July
25, in Vermont. Riding Tomboy Major,
an eight-year-old Belgian Warmblood
gelding owned by Marc and Louise
Sabbah, Covert topped a 28-horse
starting field to advance to the jumpoff where she was again clear in the
fastest time, 36.49 seconds, more than
two full seconds faster than her closest
competitor, fellow Canadian Harold
“Tomboy Major is like a big pony - in the first round, he
wants to be lazy, but when you get to the jump off, he
gets fast,” laughed Covert-Lawrence, 28, who will donate
a portion of her winnings to JustWorld International.
“Everyone should be so lucky to have owners like Marc
and Louise Sabbah. They have been behind me and this
horse one hundred percent.”
Earlier in the week, Covert also won the Open Speed
class riding Tomboy Major and also placed second with
Heve de Mazure, a nine-year-old selle francais mare also
owned by the Sabbahs.
Rider Representative
RAY TEXEL
CLAIMS
$50,000 Ox Ridge Grand Prix
‘Jump for a Just World’ Rider Representative Ray Texel
emerged victorious in the $50,000 Ox Ridge Grand Prix
held June 20 in Connecticut.
Of the 22 riders that attempted the test set by
course designer Richard Jeffery of Great Britain,
seven advanced to the jump-off including Texel
and Roxana, a 10-year-old bay Hessen mare that
he has been riding since last fall.
“I knew the jump-off would be fast and if I wanted
to win, I had to go for it,” explained Texel of
Bedford, NY. “I haven’t shown Roxana a lot since
the winter circuit in Florida, so I was a little unsure
of how fast I should go, but if you make it to the
jump off in any grand prix, you have to make your
best effort. It was one of those days where we
really were in synch.”
‘Jump for a Just World’
Rider Representatives
Take World By Storm
Eric Navet jumped his way to the top of the French
National Championships on June 26.
Held at
Fontainebleau, Navet rode Dollar du Murier to the title,
holding off runner-up Bruno Broucqsault and Dileme
de Cephe, the current World Cup champions.
Eric Lamaze of Canada claimed a win in the $35,000
RBC Capital Markets Grand Prix held in June at
the CSI Spruce Meadows National tournament in
Calgary, AB. From a large 50-horse starting field, 16
advanced to the jump-off where Lamaze put in the
fastest time aboard Gottier Manciais, an 11-year-old
selle francais gelding owned by Eddie Creed.
Junior Rider Representative Natalie Johnson
recently enjoyed a third place finish in the High Junior
Jumper Classic at the Lake Placid Horse Show in New
York. Johnson earned $1,000 in prize money which
she promptly donated to JustWorld International’s
Honduras project.
BEST WISHES to ‘Jump for a Just World’
Rider Representatives
KEVIN BABINGTON of Ireland and ERIC NAVET of France
as they represent their countries at the 2004
Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.
“She is wonderful,” praised Texel, who represented the
United States at the 2001 and 2002 World Cup Finals.
“She is even-tempered, strong willed and she tries to
please you each day. It suits her character to do well.
She is very consistent to work with, which makes my job
easier.”
Ray Texel won the $50,000 Ox Ridge Grand Prix wearing
his JustWorld International signature jacket, signifying that
he is one of a handful of top international riders
representing JustWorld International.
“I’ve been witness to the many successes
recently of the JustWorld riders and I am pleased
to be a part of that,” notes Texel, who will donate
a portion of his prize money to the non-profit
organization.
“Ray has been with JustWorld International from
the very beginning, and I was thrilled to learn
about his victory!” said JustWorld International
Ray Texel and Jessica Newman
Executive Director, Jessica Newman. “JustWorld
at CHIO Aachen in July.
Photo By – Franck Papelard
seeks to partner with riders who have integrity and
values in order to be spokespeople for the organization,
and Ray certainly embodies those characteristics! He is
Texel was especially pleased with Roxana, who is owned
a very positive person and has led the way, encouraging
by Old Salem Farm, where he is now based.
several other people to get involved.”
ACSOF Officially Endorses JWI
On July 2, the French Riders Association, ACSOF, officially gave their endorsement of JustWorld International, endorsing all of its global actions.
Jump for a Just World Rider Representative, Eric Navet, who serves as Vice-President of the ACSOF, made the announcement during a special
cocktail reception held during the inaugural ‘Jump Eure’ horse show organized by ACSOF President, Herve Godignon, at his Haras Seabird
facility located just outside of Paris, France.
7
Advisors Spotlight
Serge Houtmann Brings Expertise to
Jump for a Just World Advisory Board
A quiet, discreet though passionate man, Serge Houtmann has been
actively involved in the international equestrian community for over
twenty years.
Volume 1, Issue 5, July/August, 2004
Executive Director
Jessica Newman
Director of Operations
Hilary Betaille
Programs Director
Dr. Susan H. Perry
Operations & Programs Assistant
Angelyn Sides
Executive Assistant
Mireya Cano
Technical Coordinator
Hector Cano
Website Designers
Debbie Salem
Amanda MacDonald
Interns
Christiana Ball, Naomi Hope
Juniors For a JustWorld Liaison Officer
Lisa De Sousa
JustWorld International
Advisory Board
HRH Princess Haya
Jordan
Ernest Kalman
USA
Mildred Robbins Leet
USA
Raymond Offenheiser
USA
Michael Speiser
USA
Komlavi Francisco Seddoh
Togo
Riders
Angela Covert
Canada
Eric Lamaze
Canada
Bruno Coutureau
France
Sophie Coutureau
France
Hervé Godignon
France
Olivier Guillon
France
Eric Navet
France
Kevin Babington
Ireland
Candice King
USA
Titi Mills
Honduras
Ray Texel
USA
Junior Riders
Natalie Johnson
USA
Josephine Nash
USA
Jessica Speiser
USA
Marina de la Brosse
France
Virgil Monneron
France
Laura Spillemaecker
France
Marion Spillemaecker
France
Isabelle Strom
France
All of his peers, without exception, appreciate his generosity, his integrity and his
uprightness and were not surprised to learn that he had accepted to seat on the Jump
for a Just World Advisory Board.
“I am truly impressed by the number of riders that are committed to this cause so when
Jessica, whom I’ve known since she was a young child, asked me to join JustWorld
International, I was not only honoured but also very touched,” said Houtmann who looks
forward to contributing to the advancement of this humanitarian organization and who
is committed to encouraging professionals as well as young riders to develop a vivid
interest in helping those in need.
His competence, experience and expertise ensure that Mr. Houtmann will be a valuable
spokesperson and advisor for Jump for a Just World.
JUSTWORLD INTERNATIONAL WARMLY THANKS
Jump for a Just World Advisory Board Member, Rhonda Rioux,
for her time, expertise, and help in making
Jump for a Just World such a success!
With Special Thanks to our photographers for generously contributing their images!
Cheryl Bender; Flashpoint Photography; Franck Papelard; James Leslie Parker; PSV; Cealy Tetley; The Professionals
PARTNERS
(203) 762-0611
For further information on
JustWorld International, please visit:
w w w. j u s t w o r l d i n t e r n a t i o n a l . o r g
+353 (42) 938 9000
(561) 793-2947
+33 (0) 344 42 90 64
+33 (0) 160 66 22 22
JustWorld International (USA)
925 Westchester Avenue, Suite 308
White Plains, NY 10604
JustWorld International (France)
c/o The American University of Paris
6 Rue du Colonel Combes
75007 Paris, France
Editor, Jennifer Ward
Designed and Produced by
Starting Gate Communications
jward@startinggate.ca
8
Photo by Cealy Tetley
Jump for a Just World
Advisory Board
François Ferland
Canada
Hervé Godignon
France
Karen Golding
USA
HRH Princess Haya
Jordan
Serge Houtmann
France
Jean Morel
France
Jessica Newman
USA/France
Leopoldo Palacios
Venezuela
Rhonda Rioux
Canada
Mary Ann Simonds
USA
Ray Texel
USA
As one of the top European show jumping course designers,
Frenchman Serge Houtmann builds more than five hundred courses
for more than forty horse shows a year. From the Paris Bercy indoor
show to La Baule, from the Château de Sanem Turnierleitung in
Luxembourg to the Bromont International, Serge Houtmann is known
throughout Europe and North America for his very technical and
Photo by PSV photo/Jean Morel
unique courses. Focused on creativity and education, he strives for
excellence in whatever he undertakes.
+33 (0) 607 48 43 78
(203) 618-9286