Sponsored Athletes - Kastel Denmark

At Kastel Denmark, we are proud to work with talented athletes across multiple disciplines.
These ambassadors represent the essence of our brand: hard work, ambition, talent, and presence.
Take a moment to learn about these wonderful athletes:

Lauren Knopp Lauren is a 25 year-old professional FEI Dressage rider and trainer. She has competed through Grand Prix and is proud to have her USDF Bronze, Silver, and Gold Medals as well as Team and Individual NAJYRC Medals. After working with multiple prestigious trainers, she has shifted her focus to offering services at her own facility, IDA Farm in Wellington. There, Lauren trains warmbloods and Iberian horses of all levels as well as teaches Junior/Young riders and Adult Amateurs. She emphasizes proper development of technique through the levels while maintaining a positive attitude -- and of course, having fun! Pictured with PRE, Evander CDF. Follow Lauren on Instagram.
Shannon Peters Shannon Peters has been a lifelong horsewoman and dressage trainer for over 30 years. She has competed at the US National Championships many times as well as the USEF Young Horse Championships. She enjoys training her horses from the beginning though GP as well as coaching her students -- both amateurs and professionals alike. She and her husband, Steffen, operate Arroyo Del Mar in San Diego, California. “I have always been a big advocate for sun protection. As horse trainers, we are out in the sun, especially Southern California, all day, every day. I’m so excited to join the Kastel team and have so many wonderful colors and designs to choose from! I can easily go from riding horses to riding my mountain bike, and still have the same level of sun protection!” Follow Shannon on Instagram.
Laine Ashker Laine Ashker’s love of horses began in the womb, and her passion for eventing was lit aflame when she got her first OTTB, Fishbones. Soon after, Laine and her mother Valerie soon moved out to the east coast near Richmond Virginia so Laine could pursue a professional eventing career. Since then, Laine has taken four horses up through the five-star level of eventing, three of which were OTTBs. Laine also attended the Junior Olympics for eventing four times where she earned two team bronze and one individual silver medals. Laine has had the honor of representing our nation abroad at the Hong Kong Olympic Test Event in 2007 in addition to countless FEI competitions through the five-star level, including Blenheim CCI4* and Burghley CCI5*. Laine also won the National Eventing Championship (Advanced Level) in 2013 aboard her long-time partner Anthony Patch. In 2014 Laine turned Pro in the sport of dressage in addition to maintaining her eventing career. Since then, Laine has earned her Bronze, Silver and most recently her Gold Medal with her fall 2019 campaign at Grand Prix. Laine continues to train horses from the start to the top levels of eventing and dressage at her facility in Chesterfield Virginia, Keystone Acres. Follow Lainey on Instagram.
Cassandra Hummert-Johnson Cassandra Hummert-Johnson is a USDF Gold Medalist and Gold Freestyle Bar recipient and veteran of the FEI high performance junior, young rider and U25 programs. She operates Lavendel Dressage LLC in Cleveland, Ohio and Wellington, Florida where she trains, instructs and brokers sales. Her program accepts horses and riders at any level, and focuses on improving scores in the ring and accomplishing competition goals. In addition to being a dressage professional, Cassandra is also a qualified 200-hour yoga teacher and enjoys being able to combine her passion for teaching with riding and yoga. Photo by Kristin Posner. Follow Cassandra on Instagram.
Paula Matute 2-time Nations Cup Bronze Medalist and Silver Medalist at CHIO AACHEN U25 "I'm proud to sport the crown because we have been partnered up since 2015, and to me, long-lasting relationships are the key to success. Just like with horses, time is everything." Follow Paula on Instagram.
Sandra Beaulieu Sandra Beaulieu is a creative equestrian that specializes in dressage, liberty work, musical freestyles, and equine art. She incorporates her unique sense of artistry to all aspects of her work with horses. She is a USDF Bronze and Silver Medalist, a USDF Bronze Freestyle Bar recipient, a USDF "L" Graduate with distinction and recently the new author of FREESTYLE: The Ultimate Guide to Riding, Training, and Competing to Music. She also creates Art on Horseback and taught her Friesian horse, Douwe, to paint with her as well. She is currently located in Havana, Florida, living her dream as head trainer for Little River Friesians. Follow Sandra on Instagram.
Susan Dutta Susie Dutta is an international dressage rider and known fashionista! Member of the Gold medal Pan Am Team Rio in 2007, she has represented the USA in 6 Nations Cups Internationally. She has achieved placings in many top FEI Grand Prix competitions on multiple self-made horses. Training her horses from the beginning to the top has always been her passion. "I am grateful for Kastel’s support as this was always a brand I have loved for their high-quality product and sun protection while staying fashionable and comfortable!" Follow Susie on Instagram.
Kelsey Chisholm Kelsey's love for Kastel Denmark began when she was searching for dressage riding attire that would also protect her skin from the sun. She originally started riding at the age of seven and jumped for many years. After nursing school, she wanted to challenge her skills. This led her into the love of dressage, and she is currently working hard developing for the goal of PSG. Kelsey was inspired at a young age to become an OR nurse and to tailor her experience in plastic and reconstructive surgery and skin cancer surgery/treatments. She now assists in the treatment of skin cancer on a daily basis and is able to join the best of both worlds together: medicine and dressage! Kelsey strongly recommends Kastel Denmark for protection to patients, colleagues, and family. To view Kelsey's testimonial video for Kastel Denmark, click here. Follow Kelsey on Instagram.
Gee Wierichs Born in Germany, Gee has been riding horses since early childhood. After trying many equestrian disciplines from ponies and western to show jumping and race horses, she discovered her love of dressage, which has then become her true passion. During her time in Wellington, she was training both warmbloods and Spanish PREs and won Intermediate I with her own Rhinelander warmblood, Latino, and achieved National 2nd Best title in the 4-year-old PRE horse category. Gee relocated back to Germany in 2017, and now owns two horses: Latino, and a promising 5-year-old mare, who she is planning to start competing in the FEI young horse classes as soon as the coronavirus restrictions are lifted. Follow Gee on Instagram.
Alex Greer Alex believes in building a strong dressage foundation in a calm and fun environment. She works with horses and rider athletes of all ages and levels to help them reach their potential. After graduating from Cornell University in 2012, Alex trained in Wellington, Florida, under the tutelage of internationally-renowned coaches. She also ran a popular equestrian boutique, so she understands the importance of superior style for training in and out of the saddle - and Kastel is that and more! Recently, she moved back to the Bay Area with her husband and operates Alex Greer Dressage out of sun-soaked Napa, California, where she always sports the crown for optimal UV protection. Alex is currently developing her newest addition, First Wonder Ymas, and preparing him for the small tour. Photo by Hermes Photography. Follow Alex on Instagram.
Julia Mineikis Julia Mineikis is a dressage rider and trainer at Advantage Dressage and Dreamcatcher Andalusians in Reno, Nevada. Julia is highly proactive athlete, that participates in big number of USDF USEF events through the year and showing a string of talented horses who are very competitive and winning with great results. Julia been a big fan of the Kastel clothing lane from the day one, and happily wearing Kastel protective shirts for all outdoor activities. "I love how unique and bold Kastel designs are! Kastel is a great choice for the athletes that desire the ultimate in sun protection without sacrificing style!" Follow Julia on Instagram.
Jen Kessler Jen is a mom, business woman, and navy wife who started riding at age four. Starting in hunter/jumpers, she made the switch to eventing in 2014. Jen has competed through training level with her eight-year-old OTTB, Dante, and now starts a new adventure with her five-year-old unraced Thoroughbred, Xander. Photo by Kristin Lee Photography. Follow Jen on Instagram.
Joie Gatlin Joie has been a fierce competitor on the hunter/jumper circuit since childhood. She has traveled the world donning her red US Team jacket several times and competing at the highest levels of the show jumping sport. Today Joie, alongside her husband, owns and operates Joie Gatlin - Morley Abey Show Jumping in San Juan Capistrano, CA, and remains an active competitor on the Grand Prix circuit. Follow Joie on Instagram.
Isabelle Bright Smith: The Modern Equestrian A native of southern California, Isabelle has been competing up and down the state since she was single digits. After graduating college, she moved to Los Angeles to begin her career working in the television industry. Combining her skills in production and her passion for horses, Isabelle’s online presence showcases her modern approach to a traditional sport. Follow Isabelle's brand, The Modern Equestrian, on Instagram.
Sydney Collier A dedicated rider and member of the United States 2016 Paralympic Dressage team, Sydney was proud to ride for the 2014 Para-dressage Team in the 2014 World Equestrian Game (WEG). She is continuing her training with the goal of making the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics. Pictured with her horse, All in One. Follow Sydney on Instagram.
Ariana Chia Competing across dressage, hunters, and jumpers since her youth, Ariana decided at age 16 to switch permanently to dressage and begin pursuing her dreams of going to NAJYRC. She went on to make the team three times on three different horses - first in 2008, then in 2010, and lastly in 2012. Her sights are now set on making a major team such as WEG, Pan Ams, and eventually, the Olympics. She is proud to have earned her USDF gold medal as well as top-8 placings internationally with her most recent addition, Fiderflame. Pictured with schoolmaster, Teo. Follow Ariana on Instagram.