Charlotte Jorst and Kastel’s Nintendo Triumph in the FEI Grand Prix CDIW Qualifier Sponsored by Beverly Gepfer and Kirk A Martins Foundation and Presented by the Pulver Family
Photo © ESI Photography
For Immediate Release:
THERMAL, Calif. – November 13, 2020 – The Adequan® Desert Dressage I, presented by Buffini & Company commenced Friday morning in the Grand Prix Stadium. Five horse and rider pairs took to the court to perform in the FEI Grand Prix CDIW Qualifier sponsored by Beverly Gepfer and Kirk A Martins Foundation and presented by the Pulver Family. With an incredible score of 71.830%, Charlotte Jorst (USA) and her mount Kastel’s Nintendo clinched the blue ribbon and qualified for tomorrow’s FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDIW competition.
The second place ribbon was awarded to Jan Ebeling (USA) and Ann Romney’s Diamond’s Diva (Diamond Hit x Santander H), a fourteen year old Oldenberg mare, with a score of 68.696%. The third place spot was given to Carly Taylor-Smith (USA) and her mount Rosalut NHF (Rosenthal x Salut), a ten year old Oldenberg gelding owned by Nikki Taylor-Smith.
Jorst’s mount Kastel’s Nintendo (Negro x Monaco) is an 17 year old Dutch Warmblood stallion owned by Kastel Demark. The pair has been together for seven years now and has been all over the world. They have even had the privilege of attending the World Cup Finals in Sweden in 2016.
“He is called Nintendo and he is a stallion and I have had him for seven years. I have literally been all over the world with him. He has been to World Cup Finals in Sweden and Nations Cups all over. I am currently trying to qualify for the World Cup Finals in Sweden next year again,” mentioned Jorst.
The pair dazzled the judges with their spectacular movements and seamless transitions earning them top marks. “With him, the extended trots are always a little difficult. Everything else is relatively easy for him,” explained Jorst. “Today, I didn’t make any mistakes in the test and that is always the goal. In the Grand Prix, there is always so much to be done. Having a test with no mistakes is huge for me. I am so happy.”
Even more impressive, the pair spent most of their summer relaxing in Reno, NV and Jorst just started him back under full work a mere ten days ago. With this show being their first major competition back after the break, Jorst is enthralled with the Desert International Horse Park facility. She is able to stick to her routine with Kastel’s Nintendo by bringing him on the back trails before they work everyday.
“I love it here. Nintendo loves to trail ride,” commented Jorst. “Here, I can go all over and we can do our usual routine which is huge for me because I usually trail ride him for half an hour every day before I start to keep him motivated and happy. This facility resembles that. He was on fire today, he loves it here as do I.”
The horse and rider combination will continue competition in tomorrow’s FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDIW where they will showcase their new choreography and debut their new music composition.
“I am so excited for the new music and we put it all together in a month. It has been very exciting. Fortunately, I have been working with a very good person in Spain who has been very cooperative,” communicated Jorst. “I am so excited to be showing my Freestyle tomorrow. It will be so much fun. I am just excited to be out and showing; it is such a privilege to do something in these times.”
For full results from the class, click here.
About the Desert International Horse Park
With nearly 1.3 million square feet of competition and riding space, the Desert International Horse Park is one of the largest equestrian facilities in North America. Offering multiple weeks of world-class equestrian competition from October through March, the facility is a destination location for thousands of equestrians, their horses, family and friends for several months annually. Competitors from all over the world travel to Thermal, CA to not only compete but to enjoy everything the desert has to offer.