May 23, 2013 – An equestrian’s focus can become isolated on their horses and competitions when at the highest level of the sport, but world-class rider Kevin Staut has never allowed his focus to falter from the good he can provide in the community as an equestrian icon. Since 2007, the French rider has been a long-term Rider Ambassador for JustWorld International, a charitable organization that raises funds within the global equestrian community to help provide education, nutrition, healthcare and vocational training programs to underprivileged children in impoverished communities around the world.
Recently, JustWorld International has become common ground for Staut and French broadcaster, Equidia TV. Both have decided to support JustWorld through a unique and unprecedented partnership. This October, Equidia will follow Staut to the JustWorld project in Phnom Penh, Cambodia as he visits with nearly 830 children and their families. He hopes the trip will increase awareness for JustWorld’s efforts as he shows viewers how they can get involved and help with JustWorld’s mission.
Jessica Newman and Kevin Staut prepare for their interview with Equidia
Phnom Penh, Cambodia holds a personal connection for Staut, opening the doors for this partnership to take place. Accompanying Staut on this trip will be his half-sister, Jade. “Jade was adopted when she was 6 months old. She is from Phnom Penh but has never been back there since she first arrived to France. I am very much looking forward to living this experience with her,” Staut described.
For Staut, this visit parallels with his long-term involvement as a JustWorld International Ambassador. “JustWorld counts on the support of riders to help raise awareness within the equestrian world to provide a better life for children in developing countries,” Staut continued. “As an ambassador for JustWorld International, I now feel ready to do more than just give a percentage of my prize-money. Equidia, a JustWorld partner, is the ideal media to make people aware of the association and its activities.”
This partnership is the epitome of the activism and work JustWorld International puts into their projects, raising funds and awareness throughout the equestrian sport, as a whole. “Kevin was one of the first riders to make the decision to support us,” Founder and Executive Director of JustWorld International Jessica Newman explained. “He is a perfect flagship of JustWorld, and even now that he has become of the best riders of the world, he remains true to his word and continues to help our organization.”
Newman added, “The visit to our project in Cambodia this October is yet another showcase of his involvement and invaluable support.”
Jessica Newman and Kevin Staut conduct and interview with Equidia
Staut’s desire to support JustWorld and share success is also prevalent in Equidia Life, the Equestrian Channel. “Equidia will provide us with an exceptional visibility towards the equestrian community,” Newman said. “We are proud to count on Equidia’s support and all of their crew who will accompany us to all the best events in France and Europe.”
Equidia is equally proud of this association with Kevin Staut and JustWorld International. “We have been thinking about this project for many months and we are proud to see it coming to life,” Executive Director of Equidia Eric Brion explained. “This is a testimony to our commitment within the International equestrian community, and the need to raise awareness about acting in a socially responsible manner. We plan to put all of our energy and the leverage of our different channels into this project. A three-year plan is currently underway for our partnership. This plan will be supported by our TV channels, as well as Equidia’s digital community, which is includes a very active presence on both the Internet and throughout social media.”
Founded in 2003 by Jessica Newman, JustWorld International is a not-for-profit, humanitarian organization, which funds life-changing nutrition, health and hygiene, education, as well as leadership and cultural development programs for impoverished children in Cambodia, Honduras and Guatemala. There are currently more than 500 Rider and Technical Official Ambassadors representing 40 different countries, whose efforts to support JustWorld’s projects have raised in excess of $6 million to date. For more information on JustWorld, please visit www.justworldinternational.org.
* Equidia broadcasts its programs via Equidia Live, 100% horse racing, and Equidia Life, 100% horse, reaching more than 3.5 million television viewers each month.
For more information with regard to this partnership, please visit www.kevinstaut.com.
