Kastel's Vitalis Offspring Highlight European Fall Auctions As Kastel Denmark Expands from the U.S. to Europe

Kastel's Vitalis and Charlotte Jorst

Reno, NV. - Charlotte Jorst wrapped up an incredible year that saw her Westphalian-licensed stallion Kastel's Vitalis make headlines for the prices his offspring commanded during the European sport horse fall auctions, as her U.S.-based Kastel Denmark activewear company expanded into Europe and her horses brought home national championships. "The offspring of Vitalis sold incredibly well at this auction, impressing with their rideability and gaits," reported the web site Eurodressage.com of the 2014 Westphalian Autumn Elite Auction in October. Auctions later in the year spiked sales as high as €420,000 for offspring of Vitalis (Vivaldi x Tolivia, D-Day). Leading the prices of Vitalis offspring was the Vitalis-Levados-Florestan I son who brought 420,000 euros from an unnamed Swiss buyer, while others found new homes with Olympic sports legends.

Danish Olympic dressage team bronze medalist Andreas Helgstrand acquired the Vitalis-Diamond Hit-Landadel colt for 310,000 euros. Austrian Olympic dressage individual gold medalist Elisabeth "Sissy" Max-Theurer bought the reserve champion of the Westphalian licensing, a Vitalis-Dancier son for 270,000 euros, and German Olympic eventing team gold medalist Ingrid Klimke now has in training the Vitalis x Fürst Heinrich colt purchased for 155,000 euros by co-owners Hengststation Holkenbrink and her husband Andreas Busacker. Vitalis offspring Venezia and Valencia AS brought sales prices of 200,000 euros each.

His offspring's auction prices prompted Charlotte to comment, "Vitalis foals are commanding so much money. I need a mare!" With increasing demand for his bloodlines, Charlotte had frozen semen collected from Kastel's Vitalis recently in California, now available through Kastel Denmark headquarters in Reno, Nevada.

Charlotte and Vitalis are best known in the U.S. for winning the 2013 Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Championships, 6-Year-Old Champion, and representing the U.S. at the 2013 FEI World Breeding Championships for Young Dressage Horses in Verden, Germany. This year the pair became the 2014 USDF Adult Amateur Prix St. Georges Champions.

Kastel Denmark, Born in the U.S.A., Expands into Europe
Charlotte founded Kastel Denmark in the U.S. last year, and expanded it into Europe this fall, as a result of her own experiences as a busy athlete, multi-tasking mom and savvy businesswoman.

"I'm out in the sun a lot," she says, "and I know it's difficult to always remember to cover up, wear enough sunscreen, and really take care of our skin. I've paid the price, as have a lot of my friends. Sun damage is not fun!"

Inspired by the beautiful Kastels of Denmark that represent time-proven protection and reflecting the international style of contemporary Danish design, Charlotte's designs for her new company began with a collection of stylish shirts made of protective and breathable UPF 30 UV fabric Charlotte describes as "cooler than wearing nothing".

Since founding Kastel Denmark in the U.S. last year, its apparel collections have grown to include a variety of shirt styles for women, men, boys and girls, along with jackets and vests, athletic pants, and dresses, all in stylish colors and flattering fits.

With Kastel Denmark's expansion into Europe this fall, riders throughout Europe are learning why their American counterparts love Kastel Denmark. As Anna Buffini, Kastel Denmark sponsored rider and member of the AGCO/USEF National Young Riders Dressage Champion Region 7 Team, says, "They're amazing! I have 6 of them to wear every single day of the week, wash them on Sunday and do it all over again. They keep you so much cooler and protected from boiling in the sun all day, and SO stylish!"

On With the Show
"My big goal for the horses in 2014 was to qualify for Gladstone - the US Dressage Festival of Champions presented by The Dutta Corporation. It was really fun and I was so happy I did it," she says. Charlotte rode Kastel's Nintendo in The Dutta Corp/USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship, and Kastel's Vitalis in The Dutta Corp/USEF Intermediaire Dressage National Championship.

"It was incredible to be showing at Gladstone, where so many legendary horses and riders have competed. I got to ride the Grand Prix for the first time in a very competitive national environment and I also got to see what could go wrong! Next year I want to return to Gladstone with more experience, training and preparation. My goal is to be consistently in the top ten."

Her commitment to excellence is earning results that include top year-end national rankings such as USDF Adult Amateur Prix St. Georges Champion with Kastel's Vitalis and USDF Adult Amateur Grand Prix Champion with Kastel's Nintendo, among others.

In a glimpse of the future, Charlotte showed Kastel's Asterios and Kastel's Adventure to alternating one-two placings in the Intermediaire 1 classes at December's Dressage Holiday Special at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center. Under Guenter Seidel's guidance, she scored a 75.526% to win the FEI High Percentage Championship with Kastel's Asterios, the Danish Warmblood gelding she has shown up the levels through Grand Prix, and returned to competition this fall after two and a half years off. "He was great," she reports. "If I can get him to Gladstone next year, then my year will be made!"

Looking Ahead
With Gladstone in mind, Charlotte has her sights set on increasing her experience and training in Florida in 2015. "I'm taking several horses, and I know it will be hard work, away from home and my family, but I am so lucky to have these wonderful horses - this is the time to really go for it," she explains.

Kastel Denmark will be with Charlotte every step of the way, from the shirts on her back to her input on new designs, colors and styles. Charlotte is a presence in her company wherever she may be, by phone or online, posting updates to Facebook or meeting customers and retailers. "This is such a great experience. I get to work with super people in our company, and I love to see our shirts on my friends as well as on riders I don't know yet!" Charlotte says.

"I'm so grateful for everything I've learned. It has sometimes been difficult, but I want to continue doing what I love: bringing my horses along and growing my company. I couldn't do it without the support of my family, my friends and everyone at Kastel Denmark."

For more information about Kastel Denmark, contact Mike Paidakovich at 775-762-2368 or email mike@kasteldenmark.com. For more information about breeding to Kastel's Vitalis, contact Kastel Denmark at 775-870-1580 or email sales@kasteldenmark.com