JustWorld Rider Ambassador Jean-Claude Van Geenberghe won the €40,000 Grand Prix at CSI3* Dinard, France, on Sunday, August 5. Photo by Hilary Betaille

August 9, 2007 – Dinard, France – Jean-Claude Van Geenberghe won the €40,000 Grand Prix de la ville de Dinard, held at CSI3* Dinard, France, on Sunday, August 5. Van Geenberghe is a Rider Ambassador for JustWorld International, a not-for-profit, humanitarian organization founded to work as a catalyst for positive change in the developing world by helping underprivileged children.

Riding for the Ukraine, Van Geenberghe was one of 49 entries in Sunday's 1.50m Grand Prix. As the only rider to produce two clear rounds, Van Geenberghe claimed victory riding Osta Rugs Tresor, his mount at last year's World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany. While second place finisher Robert Breul of France riding Iasco Mouch posted a faster time of 49.12 seconds compared to Van Geenberghe's 49.69, a second round score of four faults cost him the win.

For his victory, Van Geenberghe, 44, earned €12,000 in prize money, a portion of which he will donate to JustWorld International. During the prize giving ceremony, the announcer explained that Van Geenberghe was a Rider Ambassador for JustWorld International and that a portion of all his prize money, including his winnings in Dinard, are donated to the projects funded by the not-for-profit organization. The audience greeted this news with great enthusiasm and cheered loudly for the victorious Van Geenberghe.

Van Geenberghe's win was all the more meaningful as JustWorld International has been the official charity of the CSI3* Dinard Horse Show for the past three years. In addition to Van Geenberghe, other JustWorld Rider Ambassadors competing at CSI3* Dinard were Pauline Guignery (France), Rutherford Latham (Spain), Eric Navet (France), Gregoire Oberson (Switzerland), and Amateur Ambassador Virgile Monneron (France). In Saturday's €20,000 1.50m Derby, only the winner, Julien Epaillard of France riding Lord du Janlie, and second-place finisher Latham riding Jaina de Barnevil managed to jump clear. Navet placed fifth riding Kiwi du Fraigneau.

Throughout the three-day international horse show, JustWorld International had many opportunities to interact with the public and promote its work. An information booth was set up in the village and, on Saturday afternoon, JustWorld International held an autograph signing with former World Champion and JustWorld Rider Ambassador Eric Navet. JustWorld International also presented Friday's €2,000 Seven-Year-Old Young Horse competition, won by Henri Kovacs of Hungary riding Agropoint Akvarell with French riders Florian Angot and Alexis Gautier placing second and third respectively. Information was given about JustWorld International during the class, and Hilary Betaille, Director of Operations for JustWorld International, made the trophy presentation.

"We are thrilled that Jean-Claude won the Grand Prix and helped put the spotlight on JustWorld’s work in doing so," said Hilary Betaille. "The support that the Dinard horse show and its public give us is outstanding. On Saturday, Jacques Affourard, the President of the Organizing Committee, traded in his usual jacket and tie for a JustWorld International polo shirt. During the prize giving ceremony, he had the announcer explain why he supports JustWorld and why he was wearing a JustWorld shirt instead of his more 'traditional' uniform!"

Founded in 2002, JustWorld International raises awareness and funds in the equestrian community to support humanitarian projects that benefit impoverished communities and children in the developing world. Cooperating with local partners, JustWorld International implements sustainable, culturally sensitive education, health and vocational projects. For more information on JustWorld International and its upcoming fundraising events, please visit www.justworldinternational.org.