ShowBiz Feature
Changing a Community through Horses
L
dreams, but at the same time stays committed to the choice of a personal responsibility to the community around her. She has chosen, at a very young age, to reach out through her world of horses and touch her community. She has a clear understanding how one person, even a junior, can af- fect the world around her. This is a bit of her story: “Through my involvement in Jump for a Just World,
indsay Douglass is still a junior rider but is cer- tainly wise and compassionate for her age. She un- derstands her commitment to her own goals and
by Kathy Hobstetter
an international charity foundation based in the competi- tive show jumping world, I realized the power that exists when people get together with a common interest. Jessica Newman, the founder of Just World International, created a massively successful foundation that is extremely produc- tive; it reaches out primarily through the Equestrian world. Ambassadors are accepted from the riding community and help raise funds that are used to help children in some of the poorest countries of the world and gives thousands of children a leg up to a brighter future.” This introduction to “giving
back” set Lindsay on a road that will change her life, and according to her, already has. Understanding that riding at a competitive level can cloud a junior’s understanding of real need, she set about looking for opportunities close to home. Still working as a Just World Ambassador, she is now also involved in two worthwhile efforts in her community, one that “gives”, and one that “re- ceives”. The giving involves the Palos Verdes Equestrian Team, located in a pleasant community near the ocean in the southern Los Ange- les metro area. The receiving wraps the Compton Junior Posse Ranch in its path as teenagers work and reach out to be a part of making the lives of other youth valuable. “The Compton Jr. Posse
Ranch,” says Lindsay, “started in 1988 has been changing the lives of countless youths by
giving them hands on contact with horses and alternatives to violent life styles. An after-school program that prom- ises underprivileged kids horse-back riding lessons for good grades. The Posse members are involved with Will Simpson, 2008 Gold Medalist in show jumping, and they have be- gun to understand what winning and being the best actually takes. Now involved in competing in the show ring they realize their ambitions can be productive. They have learned about entrepreneurship by selling equestrian art. They have graciously accepted the importance of structure in their lives and then given back to those who have helped them. But most importantly, the kids of the Compton Jr. Posse have accepted a positive world-view. It is amazing to me to watch them and be a part of their lives,” says Lindsay. “This is where the PV Equestrian Team is trying to step
in,” says Lindsay. “So far our team of about thirty members has taken major steps in supporting CJP. We have come together to amass boxes upon boxes of quality tack and
Photo © SportFot 77
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100