Tag Archives: Charlotte Jorst

Charlotte Jorst and Kastel’s Nintendo Victorious to Open Fifth Week of AGDF

Charlotte Jorst and Kastel’s Nintendo. Photo Credit: ©SusanJStickle.

Wellington, FL – February 8, 2017 – Week five kicked off at the 2017 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) with a win for Charlotte Jorst (USA) and Kastel’s Nintendo in the FEI Grand Prix CDI 3*, presented by Wellington Equestrian Realty.

Clinching a victory in the FEI Grand Prix CDI 3*, presented by Wellington Equestrian Realty, was Charlotte Jorst and Kastel’s Nintendo, a 2003 Dutch Warmblood stallion (Negro x Rodieni R x Monaco) owned by Kastel Denmark, with a score of 71.300%.

Commenting on her ride, Jorst said, “Nintendo just felt so good today. Even in the warm-up he felt so together, and so ready to go. I think that having had a little bit of a break (last weekend) was really nice for him. He was just ready, and I thought we had a really nice test.”

“I don’t actually know what I’m going to do yet,” said Jorst of her freestyle test that she and Kastel’s Nintendo will perform on Friday. “I have new music that I was going to ride through, but I just got it this morning. I’m torn as to whether or not I should do that. It has a little bit of a higher degree of difficulty and a much more fun floor plan for me. I don’t know if I will do that, or stick with my old music. It’s completely up in the air!”

Placing second was Susan Pape (GBR) and Harmony’s Don Noblesse, a 2007 Hanoverian stallion (Dancier x Descana x Don Davidoff) owned by Harmony Sporthorses, with a 70.880%. Third place was awarded to Dawn White-O’Connor (USA), and Legolas 92, a 2002 Westfalen gelding (Laomedon x Furstin x Florenstan II) owned by Four Winds Farm, with a score of 70.560%.

For more information and to see a full list of results, please visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.

Charlotte Jorst and Kastel’s Nintendo Take the Top Spot at AGDF

Charlotte Jorst and Kastel’s Nintendo. Photo Credit: ©SusanJStickle.

Wellington, FL – January 28, 2017 – Victory was awarded to Charlotte Jorst (USA) and Kastel’s Nintendo on Saturday in the FEI Grand Prix Special CDI-W, presented by Yeguada de Ymas, at the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF).

Clinching the win in the FEI Grand Prix Special CDI-W, presented by Yeguada de Ymas, was Charlotte Jorst and Kastel’s Nintendo, a 2003 Dutch Warmblood stallion (Negro x Rodieni R x Monaco) owned by Kastel Denmark, with a score of 72.941%.

“I don’t think I ever realized that it was this difficult. It’s been such a journey for me for so many years,” said Jorst of her decision to compete at the international level. “I was working and working, and I knew that I needed to do something. I turned 48 and I sold my company, and I set out to do this crazy thing. It is totally my passion.”

Commenting on Nintendo, Jorst said, “My favorite thing about him is his spirit. He just goes and goes. All of those years when I made mistakes, and I didn’t really know what I was doing, he just kept on going and kept trying to figure out what I was trying to ask of him. He still does that all of the time, and he is such a pal in the ring for me.”

Placing second was Suzan Pape (GBR) and Harmony’s Don Noblesse, a 2007 Hanoverian stallion (Dancier x Descana x Don Davidoff) owned by Harmony Sporthorses, with a score of 71.980%. Third place was awarded to Juan Matute Guimon (ESP) and Quantico Ymas, a 2006 Hanoverian gelding (Fighting Fit x Hauptstutbuch) owned by Juan F Matute, with a score of 70.588%.

Earlier in the day Patricia Koschel (GER) and Leuchtfeuer DE, a 2003 Hanoverian gelding (Londonderry x Duene x De Niro) owned by Koschel, captured a win in the FEI Intermediate A for Amateur – CDI AM, sponsored by Horseware Ireland, with a score of 65.056%. The FEI Intermediate II for Amateur – CDI AM was won by Gabriela Stumpf (AUT) and Finally Love, a 2006 Oldenburg gelding (Farewell III x Winzerin x Harvard) owned by Stumpf, with a score of 67.842%. Gabriela Stumpf (AUT) and Stereo Love, a 2007 Hanoverian gelding (Sandro Hit x Lanzarote x Londonderry) owned by Stumpf, saw their second victory of the day in the FEI Prix St. Georges for Amateur – CDI AM, sponsored by Rowan O’Riley and Mane Stream, with a score of 68.105%. The win in the FEI Grand Prix 16-25 – CDI U25, sponsored by Diamante Farms, was awarded to Juan Matute Guimon (ESP) and Dhannie Ymas, a 2007 Hanoverian gelding (Don Crusador x Welina) owned by Yeguada de Ymas S.L., with a score of 66.558%.

For more information and to see a full list of results, please visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.

Seidel and Jorst Close Out 2016 Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Final

Charlotte Jorst and Kastel’s Nintendo (Claes Jakobsson)

Gothenburg, Sweden –  The 2016 Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final came to a conclusion Sunday afternoon at the Scandinavium Arena, as 18 combinations performed their Grand Prix Freestyles in front of the Ground Jury of Gustav Svalling, Susanne Baarup, Evi Eisenhardt, Anne Gribbons, Susan Hoevenaars, Irina Maknami, and Mariette Sanders van Gansewinkle. Charlotte Jorst and Kastel’s Nintendo led the way for the American duo, placing 12th. Guenter Seidel and Zero Gravity faced challenges with the atmosphere, placing 18th.

Following Friday’s Grand Prix performance that earned them a score of 71.114%, Jorst (Reno, Nev.) and Kastel Denmark’s 2003 Dutch Warmblood stallion, Kastel’s Nintendo, entered the ring this afternoon as the fifth combination in the order. The pair performed their Freestyle featuring the songs ‘Time to Say Goodbye’ by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman and ‘Fight Song’ by Rachel Platten. In its debut Final, the pair finished the feature class in 12th place on a score of 73.232%.

“It was so fun. I was very happy with that [test] being my first time in an arena like that. He is such a great horse and I am so happy with him,” said an exuberant Jorst.

Jorst, who has only been riding at the top levels of the sport since 2012, rode her first Grand Prix Freestyle in FEI level competition just two years ago. Relating the highlights of today’s test, Jorst said, “I was really happy with how confident I feel about my changes. They have been something I have been challenged with in the past. For someone who has never done a single one until two years ago, it was a big learning curve and something I really had to work on. Now they are just there and it makes me so happy.”

Entering the arena first for the U.S. was Seidel (Cardiff, Calif.) and James and Charlotte Mashburn’s 2004 Dutch Warmblood gelding, Zero Gravity. In Friday’s Grand Prix, Zero Gravity was a bit overwhelmed with his first trip into an electric indoor arena and scored a 69.800%. Unfortunately, the gelding was not able to overcome his nerves after a polite clap from the audience at his entrance and performed a tense test to score a 67.464%.

Guenter Seidel and Zero Gravity (Claes Jakobsson)
Guenter Seidel and Zero Gravity (Claes Jakobsson)

“After the clapping he just felt so explosive, but considering that, he actually pulled together a lot of the movements okay,” said Seidel.

Even through the moments of tension, the pair was able to beautifully execute the tempi-changes. The gelding has only been competing at the FEI level since 2015 and gained valuable experience this week in his first FEI World Cup Final™.

The day belonged to Hans Peter Minderhoud of The Netherlands, who earned a score of 82.357% with Glock’s Flirt to claim the 2016 Champion title. Finishing in second place were Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfvén of Sweden and Don Auriello on a score of 81.429%. Third place went to Jessica von Bredow-Werndl of Germany with Unee BB, scoring 80.464%.

Complete Grand Prix Freestyle Results

From the USEF Communications Department

Charlotte Jorst Fulfills Life-Long Dream aboard Kastels Adventure with First CDI Win at AGDF

Charlotte Jorst and Kastels Adventure. Photos copyright SusanJStickle.com.

Florida International Dressage Youth Championships Begin This Week

Wellington, FL – March 11, 2015 – Charlotte Jorst (USA) and Kastels Adventure achieved something most Adult Amateurs only dream of, when the duo placed first in the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival’s (AGDF) Week 10 FEI Prix St. Georges CDI-W 1* class presented by Mike and Roz Collins, a class that boasted more than 40 entries. Jorst and Kastels Adventure won the class on a 71.842%, followed by Shelly Francis (USA) and Rubinio with a 71.605% and Tina Irwin (CAN) aboard Fancy That in third receiving a 70.553%. Competition at AGDF continues tomorrow with a very large FEI Grand Prix CDI-W 3* class presented by Today’s Equestrian and Diane and George Fellows beginning at 2:45 pm.

Jorst and “Adventure” have been paired for three years now, as Jorst found the 2005 Dutch Warmblood gelding on a small farm in The Netherlands and decided to add him to her growing string of horses. “Adventure” has steadily improved under Jorst this season and has been incredibly consistent in the Small Tour classes. “Over the weeks, he’s just gotten better and better and he has gained so much confidence and he’s been so fun to ride,” she smiled. “I put my hands down and let him do his job and he’s doing it. He just dances now and every movement seems effortless.”

Strength has been a major component in the pair’s success so far this season, as “Adventure” was coming off of a lengthy rest period due to injury. “When we got here, we focused on getting his strength and confidence back in the ring and now I think he has it. He knows he’s a super star. You want their eyes to light up when you go in the ring, and that’s how he is now,” she commented.

Confidence has not only played a factor in the success of “Adventure” in the ring, but has positively influenced Jorst’s riding. “The repetition of it all has really helped me, and doing something every week has been so valuable,” she smiled. “This has been amazing, and it is truly indescribable to me. I’ve worked for something like this my entire life and then it happens, and it is so special. I feel so much more confident, and you can tell in the way that I am riding.”

Jorst, who has always dreamed big, consistently works towards being competitive in CDI classes as an Adult Amateur and continues to set goals for her impressive group of horses. As for the future, remaining competitive at the highest levels is the ultimate goal. “I would love to do the Pan-American Games with him if he continues to do better and better like he did today, then that is something that I think is within reach,” said Jorst. “Otherwise I will take him and some of the other horses to Europe to compete them there in the summer. I’ve never done that either and it is something I would love to do.”

The 2015 Florida International Dressage Youth Championships will begin this week at AGDF, highlighting some of the best rising talent in the world, giving them a unique competition experience against their peers. The event, sponsored by Hampton Green Farm, Pana Cavallo, and Dressage4Kids, has welcomed competitors from around the country and the globe to compete in FEI Pony, Junior, Young Rider, and U-25 classes on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, with the awards presentations on Sunday morning.

“In the three years we’ve been running this show, it has gotten bigger and bigger,” said Lendon Gray, President of Dressage4Kids. “This was a group effort, and we are so thankful to have Kim Boyer of Hampton Green Farm and the Davis family of Pana Cavallo behind it with us.”

Four of the riders in this year’s Championships spoke at a press conference and rider informational meeting about their experiences competing and what they look forward to this week.

Nicolette von Leuwen, trainer of the two Dutch riders competing in the championships this week, Rosalie Bos and Dana van Lierop, said that opportunities like these continue to help grow the sport and the quality of riders pursuing the upper levels. “The show here is amazing. It’s a dream come true for these riders to have this experience in the U.S., and this competition is so well organized. It has been great for the girls to meet new riders, and it’s great to see how open everyone is here to learning.”

Vivian Niemann (GER) plans to take advantage of the opportunity to compete against the best in the U.S., but also enjoy her time in Wellington. “It’s amazing to ride here because there are so many different shows and riders, but I can say that we never have weather like this,” she smiled. “These rings are beautiful, and it’s really important to have fun while you’re competing because that is what is beautiful about the sport.”

In a unique situation, Asia Ondaatje-Rupert (USA) will ride in the Pony division for the third year in a row, but will also be competing in the Junior division with a new horse. “I got my Junior horse last winter, and I’ve always had a little bit of difficulty with my pony because he is very tough to ride,” said Ondaatje-Rupert. “Competing in the Pony classes has really helped me prepare for moving up to Juniors. I’ve become a better rider for doing the Pony classes, and I found that it was easier riding my horse because I was able to handle situations more quickly from my experience with my pony.”

Ashley Conroy Zugel (USA) switched from the jumper ring to the dressage arena and has pursued the sport ever since. Competing last year on her jumper-turned-dressage horse, Conroy Zugel feels confident for the 2015 competition, competing as a Junior. “The first time I competed here it was on my jumper horse who I trained into a dressage horse, and now I’m riding an actual dressage horse. I have a better understanding of the test, and my goal is to be accurate and keep him in front of my leg,” she explained. “I think this is a great experience for all of the riders and most shows you don’t have the chance to have all four divisions together at one time.”

Reigning Overall Champion from 2014, Tanya Strasser-Shostak (CAN), will be competing two horses this week, with her Young Rider horse and her more experienced U-25 mount. Strasser-Shostak, who is aiming at the Adequan FEI North American Junior Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC) in Lexington, KY this July, will be using this week as preparation for making a run at NAJYRC. “You won’t get an atmosphere like this anywhere else, and it’s really important to take advantage of an opportunity like this. I also think that having the European riders here really helps you to ride better and gives you something to work towards,” she commented.

For more information on AGDF, please visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.

About the Adequan Global Dressage Festival:

The Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) is one of the world’s largest international and national dressage circuits featuring 7 FEI Dressage events, including a 5* and the only FEI Nations’ Cup Series CDIO in the Western Hemisphere. The AGDF offers more than $650,000 in prize money for the seven international competitions, making it one of the richest circuits in the world. The Stadium at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center facility includes the Van Kampen covered arena (made possible by Kimberly and Frederic Boyer and family) and four outdoor arenas with world-class footing, 200 permanent stalls, and a VIP seating area.

Please visit
www.globaldressagefestival.com
www.equestriansport.com
or call 561-793-5867 for more information.

Adequan Global Dressage Festival is located at
13500 South Shore Blvd, Wellington, Florida 33414

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Equestrian Public Relations

Charlotte Jorst Qualifies Nintendo and Vitalis for US Dressage Festival of Champions

Nintendo competing at Paragon Dressage CDI3*. Photos/Kathleen Bryan, www.yourhorses.ifp3.com.

Nintendo to Compete in WEG Selection Trials

(Rancho Santa Fe, CA) June 6, 2014 – Charlotte Jorst is well on her way to making her dreams come true as she heads to Gladstone with two incredible stallions, Nintendo and Vitalis.

With Nintendo, the eleven-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion owned by her Kastel Denmark activewear company, she will compete in the 2014 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions presented by The Dutta Corp/Selection Trials for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games US Dressage Team Short List.

With Vitalis, Kastel Denmark’s seven-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion, she will ride for the 2014 Tim Dutta National Intermediaire I Championship.

Only two weeks ago, her dream to qualify for Gladstone seemed headed for heartbreak. “All these things kept happening to prevent us competing in the final qualifying competitions we originally planned,” Charlotte remembers. “That’s life with horses; things always happen! But you know, sometimes you can’t change the things that happen – the only thing you can change is your attitude.”

So Charlotte and her coach, Olympian Guenter Seidel, changed course for Estes Park, Colorado, and the Paragon Dressage CDI3*, where Charlotte earned the final qualifying scores on both Nintendo and Vitalis. Coincidentally, both horses earned ninth-place rankings heading into their respective competitions: Nintendo with a 69.532% average and a 70.650% high score, and Vitalis with a 69.755% average and a 71.228% high score.

Building Partnerships

Charlotte and Nintendo have been competing together only since early this year. Before Charlotte imported him from Europe at the end of 2013, Nintendo had been only lightly competed at Grand Prix. Charlotte began building their partnership even as they earned qualifying scores during an intense two months at the CDI-W Capistrano Classic and CDI3* Festival of the Horse in California and the CDI3* Paragon Dressage in Colorado, during which their individual scores climbed from 62.689% to a high of 70.650%.

Vitalis competing at Paragon Dressage CDI3*
Vitalis competing at Paragon Dressage CDI3*

Vitalis is another horse with whom Charlotte quickly built a strong competitive record. After she imported him in 2013, they posted the highest ever USA qualifying score average of 9.192 at the Markel/USEF Western Selection Trials; placed 13th for the USA at the FEI Breeding Championship for Young Horses, 6-year-olds, at Verden, Germany; and won the 2013 Markel/USEF Developing Horse National Championship presented by HorseShow.com with a final score of 9.152 including two perfect 10s.

Advice and Support

Advice from Robert Dover, US Dressage Technical Advisor/Chef d’Equipe, during a clinic in February of this year set Charlotte on a new course. “He told me I needed to train with Guenter Seidel,” recalls Charlotte. “So I moved my horses into Guenter’s barn and we’ve been working consistently ever since.”

“Charlotte is very determined,” Guenter reveals, “and she has a very good attitude. That’s the main thing you have to have, because with horses there are so many things that happen, issues that you have to overcome. She has very, very good horses, and she puts in the daily work, consistently. You have to put in the daily work; without it, you can’t succeed. And Charlotte has good nerves – she can concentrate and make things work. She has as good a chance as anyone on the list to go to Europe and compete for a spot on the team.”

Support from her family is every bit as valuable to Charlotte, as she balances her commitments to her horses’ training and their intense competition schedule with the growing success of her cool and stylish activewear business, Kastel Denmark. Charlotte’s husband of 25 years, Henrik, and daughters Christine and Camilla, are the heart of her success. She says simply, “I couldn’t pursue my dreams for my horses and my business without them. I am grateful beyond words for their incredible love and support.”

Follow Charlotte on Facebook where she posts photos and news, and see new photos of her latest cool and stylish activewear at www.kasteldenmark.com. Watch the USEF Network at www.USEFNetwork.com for results of the 2014 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions presented by The Dutta Corp/Selection Trials for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games US Dressage Team Short List and the 2014 Tim Dutta National Intermediaire I Championship.

For more information contact:
Nan Meek – Dark Horse Media Biz
650-823-1671
nanmeek@sbcglobal.net

What a Difference a Week Makes for Charlotte Jorst, Nintendo and Vitalis

Nintendo in passage. Photos by Terri Miller.

(Rancho Santa Fe, CA) April 4, 2014 – In the week between the Capistrano Dressage Classic and the Festival of the Horse, held in San Juan Capistrano, Charlotte Jorst’s Nintendo and Vitalis showed the difference a week can make.

“I was really happy with them,” Charlotte reported. “They both showed great progress from one show to the next.” She has been working with a new coach, Olympian Guenter Seidel, and training with a focus on qualifying for the 2014 US Dressage Festival of Champions presented by The Dutta Corp/Selection Trial for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games US Dressage Team Short List in June at Gladstone.

Their progress is no accident. Charlotte said the turning point was the USEF clinic with Robert Dover, the US Dressage Technical Advisor/Chef d’Equipe, held the week before Mid-Winter Dressage at Burbank in February.

“Robert can pinpoint exactly what you need. He says it like it is, and he said that I needed to train with Guenter Seidel. So I went directly from the clinic to the Burbank show to Guenter’s. I never went back home to Reno.”

For Charlotte it was the only choice. “I have these wonderful horses, and my goal is to qualify for Gladstone,” she said. “It’s not for the faint of heart, living alone away from home and family, but I have this goal and I have to move forward, there’s really no other option.”

Nintendo, who Charlotte imported from Denmark at the end of 2013, had been competed only lightly at Grand Prix before she purchased him. “I’ve only been riding Nintendo since I returned from my family vacation in late January, so everything’s new with him. He’s a phenomenal horse for the Grand Prix and he just gets better and better. We’re still trying to get in sync, and Guenter has helped us change a few things, and the results are starting to show up. At the show last weekend, when I took Nintendo out of his stall for his first class, it was like he was a changed horse – all of a sudden, we were in sync. It was a great feeling.”

Vitalis in pirouette
Vitalis in pirouette

Vitalis, who with Charlotte represented the US in the 2013 FEI World Breeding Championships for Young Horses in Dressage in the 6-Year-Old division, also won the 2013 Markel/USEF National Developing Horse 6 Year Old Championship. “Last year Vitalis was doing the baby 6-year-old tests, and last week he did his first CDI3* Prix St. Georges and Intermediaire I. That’s amazing for a 7-year-old. He is just getting better as he grows up.”

Next, Charlotte is looking forward to another USEF clinic with Robert Dover and then to the Del Mar International. “After another three weeks of working with Guenter, and the clinic with Robert, I can’t wait to see what Nintendo and Vitalis can do at Del Mar. Guenter and Robert are so great to work with. It’s hard work, but that’s how you make great progress.”

When she’s not working with her horses, Charlotte is working on her Kastel Denmark apparel, which can be seen on riders and sponsor signage at the shows, as well as online at www.kasteldenmark.com.

“I couldn’t do this without the incredible support of my family and friends, and my new coach,” Charlotte said. “I am so lucky to be able to pursue my dreams for my horses and my business. I count my blessings every day.”

For more information contact:
Nan Meek – Dark Horse Media Biz
650-823-1671
nanmeek@sbcglobal.net

Vitalis and Jorst Complete Final Test at 2013 FEI World Breeding Championships for Dressage Young Horses

Verden, Germany – Charlotte Jorst and Vitalis finished a respectable 13th on Sunday in the Final of the six-year-old division at the FEI World Breeding Championships for Dressage Young Horses. The Championship held annually hosts the world’s best up-and-coming dressage talents and often serves as a preview for horses that will represent their countries on the international stage.

Skagen Holding’s Vitalis (Vivaldi x Tolivia/Donnerschwee) was a bit unsettled in Verden’s championship atmosphere on Sunday, but Jorst (Reno, NV) was able to still show quality work. The Dutch Warmblood stallion scored 7.0, 8.5, and 8.2 for his walk, trot, and canter gaits, respectively. His excitement was reflected in the rideability score of 6.7 but the stallion was still rewarded with a 7.8 for his overall impression.

The pair finished Sunday with a score of 7.64.

“Unfortunately Vitalis got pretty excited in the electric atmosphere of the Finals today. Charlotte held her composure and improved her canter score from the first day, but unfortunately the excitement caused some tension in the flying changes,” said USEF Young Horse Dressage Coach Scott Hassler. “Overall, Charlotte and Vitalis represented us very well and generated a lot of positive talk here among trainers, riders, and officials. They are definitely a pair expected to return to the international scene! Charlotte and her trainer, Volker Brommann were a total pleasure with; it was great team work.”

The winner of Sunday’s Six-Year-Old Final was Germany’s Oldenburg gelding Sa Coeur and Eva Moller with an overall score of 9.04.

By Helen Murray

To learn more about the FEI World Breeding Championships for Dressage Young Horses, visit: http://www.wbfsh.org/GB/WBYHC.aspx.

Vitalis in Ninth Place in First Qualifier at FEI World Breeding Championships for Dressage Young Horses

Jorst happy with her ride in Verden (USEF Archive)

Verden, Germany – Charlotte Jorst and Vitalis proved their mettle on Friday going head-to-head with the best six-year-olds in the world at the FEI World Breeding Championships for Dressage Young Horses. The combination has qualified to compete in Sunday’s Final by way of finishing ninth out of a field of 41 in Friday’s First Qualifying competition.

Jorst (Reno, NV) and Skagen Holding’s Vitalis (Vivaldi x Tolivia/Donnerschwee) scored 8.24 to slot into the top ten. The Dutch Warmblood was rewarded for his impressive gaits earning 7.0 for the walk, 9.0 for his trot and 8.0 for the canter. Additionally, Vitalis was rewarded for his rideability scoring 8.7. He was assessed with an 8.5 for his overall impression.

Jorst and Vitalis will complete their time in Verden on Sunday in the Final.

The winner of the Six-Year-Old First Qualifying competition was Germany’s Hanoverian gelding Doubleyou W ridden by Laura Stigler to an overall score of 9.28.

To learn more about the FEI World Breeding Championships for Dressage Young Horses, visit: http://www.wbfsh.org/GB/WBYHC.aspx.

Jorst and Vitalis Eye Top Results at 2013 FEI World Breeding Championships for Dressage Young Horses

Charlotte Jorst and Vitalis (McCool Photography)

Lexington, KY – Charlotte Jorst and Vitalis have travelled to Verden, Germany to represent the U.S. at the 2013 FEI World Breeding Championships for Dressage Young Horses this week. The talented pair will compete in the six-year-old division at the annual championship which hosts many of the of most promising young dressage horses from throughout the world.  The 2013 FEI World Breeding Championships for Dressage Young Horses will run August 7-11.

Jorst (Reno, NV) and Skagen Holding’ Vitalis (Vivaldi x Tolivia/Donnerschwee) qualified to compete in Verden by way of a phenomenal performance at the 2013 Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Western Selection Trials. The talented Dutch Warmblood stallion scored an overall 9.192 after earning a 9.18 in the FEI Preliminary Test and a 9.20 in the FEI Final Test.

The six-year-old portion of competition at the FEI World Breeding Championships for Dressage Young Horses gets underway on Thursday, August 8th with the Horse Inspection. Combinations will then contest the First Qualifying competition on Friday. Six-year-old competition comes to a close with Saturday’s Small Final or Sunday’s Final.

For the first time, the USEF has also invited five participants on a tour of the FEI World Breeding Championships for Dressage Young Horses. Learn more about the tour here.