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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sandra Beaulieu Sandra Beaulieu is a creative equestrian that specializes in dressage, liberty, musical freestyle, 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 has taught her Friesian horse Douwe to paint with her as well. She is living in Havana, FL living her dream as head trainer for Little River Friesians. Pictured with her Andalusian, Rovandio. Follow Sandra on Instagram.
Lauren Sammis FEI rider Lauren is a consistent figure in the dressage ring and was a Gold and Silver medalist for the US in the 2007 Pan American Games. Follow Lauren 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.