The 2019 Florida International Youth Dressage Championships (FIYDC), presented by Sarah Davis, Terri Kane, the USEF Dressage Owners Task Force, Hampton Green Farm and Dressage4Kids, has once again selected JustWorld International as its official charity partner.
The annual event was held during Week 8 of the Adequan Global Dressage Festival from Feb. 27 through March 3 at Equestrian Village at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. These championships are more than a competition; they offer riders, from ponies and children to juniors, young riders and under-25 divisions, the chance to compete on a larger scale and showcase their talent at one of the best dressage competitions in the world. A total of 28 riders represented their nations, including Canada, Germany, Spain and the United States.
To kick off the competition week, JustWorld’s headquarters organized a “Taco Tuesday Welcome Dinner” hosted by Sarah Davis. This fun-filled evening gathered competitors and their parents together not only to learn more about JustWorld’s mission and the educational and nutritional projects they support, but also how the international equestrian community has supported these powerful programs, changing thousands of lives around the world. Lendon Gray of Dressage4Kids shared that their partnership with JustWorld is a wonderful opportunity for youth riders to learn and grow.
“While the competition is a major component of the Florida International Youth Dressage Championships, so is the chance for riders from different regions of the country and nations around the world to meet and spend time together. The week of events and riding all play a part in producing well-rounded athletes,” Sarah Davis said.
Upon the close of the final day of competition, the riders’ scores were not the only remarkable outcomes resulting from this exciting week of competition. An amazing group of JustWorld supporters once again this year made a donation on behalf of the top finishers in each division. The donation provided the winners with an opportunity to collaborate with one another and determine which programs their division’s portion of the donation would fund at JustWorld’s projects.
U25 Riders Natalie Pai, Camille Carier Bergeron and Hope Cooper decided to focus their portion of the donation to health check-ups for those who cannot afford to see a doctor. During an interview, they shared how important good health is when getting an education.
JustWorld is grateful for this partnership with the Florida International Youth Dressage Championships and the tremendous opportunity to share their mission with other passionate riders who want to ride for a cause. Learn more at www.justworldinternational.org.
