Press release from Thunderbird Show Park
Besting a 15-horse jump-off, Eduardo Menezes (BRA) took home the victory with Ennebel van het Posthuijs in the CSI2* Jump for Uryadi’s Village Grand Prix.
But that wasn’t close to being his biggest victory of the day.
Menezes contributed to more than $100,000 being raised for Uryadi’s Village, a non-profit organization whose mission is to support vulnerable children, particularly orphans and children with special needs, around the globe in countries like Ethiopia. The organization is spearheaded by Jennifer Crooks, a former international show jumper who, together with her husband Mike, has adopted 13 children, many with special needs.
“My son Matteo has Down Syndrome,” Menezes explained, “and what [Jennifer] does is unbelievable. It’s really breathtaking. I can’t talk to her without getting emotional.”
The Jump for Uryadi’s Village Grand Prix has a charitable component. Each time the first fence—the Uryadi’s Village jump—was cleared, a pledge was made to the organization. An anonymous Canadian donor also agreed to match donations up to $50,000. By day’s end, a record amount of fundraising took place.
Menezes, however, supported Uryadi’s Village long before entering the arena. He has sponsored two children through the Uryadi’s Village program. One child was adopted, so he sponsored another, this time a little girl in Ethiopia.
“We were involved as soon as we knew about it,” Menezes said. “We love the program. For me, it’s an opportunity. Jennifer and [the people involved with the organization] are not ordinary people. We’ve tried to help as much as we could, and we for sure will be there as much as we can.”
Menezes’ winning mount is a new partner for him. He acquired the 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare at the end of 2018 and is excited about her future.
[When I got her], she had no experience,” Menezes explained. “Basically, these have been the first classes that she’s done at this height. She’s just fantastic and has great character. She’s like having a pet—a big one!”