US Equestrian Open Welcomes One of the Country’s Top Amateur Riders

The US Equestrian Open of Dressage continues this weekend just seven miles down the road from Wellington International. The 2025 Gold Coast Opener takes place at the picturesque Jim Brandon Equestrian Center, a 111-acre public facility operated by the Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department.

Unlike the hustle and bustle of the Global Dressage Festival at Wellington, the Gold Coast Opener offers a more intimate setting, showcasing the lifeblood of equestrian sport—adult amateurs. As one of the country’s highest-performing amateurs, Charlotte Jorst exemplifies this spirit and is certainly one to watch this weekend.

Jorst has two horses entered in the CDI3* Grand Prix this weekend—13-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding Atterupgaards Botticelli and 12-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding Zhaplin Langholt. She will compete in the freestyle aboard Zhaplin, aiming to earn valuable points on the US Equestrian Open leaderboard.

An Unconventional Start

Jorst’s path to upper-level dressage competitions was unconventional. She began riding at age 35 after selling her family-owned business, Skagen, a Danish watchmaking company. Despite her late start, she quickly became a leading adult amateur on the US dressage scene, racking up international appearances, team selections, and wins.

Entrepreneurial Spirit

After selling her company, Jorst embraced a new chapter in her life. She began riding extensively, spending countless hours outside in the sun. However, just six months into her riding journey, Jorst was diagnosed with skin cancer and advised to stay indoors.

“There was no way I was staying inside after 25 years in an office..."

Refusing to let this setback deter her, Jorst saw an opportunity to turn adversity into action. “There was no way I was staying inside after 25 years in an office, so I decided to start a UV protection clothing brand,” Jorst told Lauren Lynch in her Meet the Founder series. By 2014, Kastel Denmark was born, offering UV-protective apparel that blends practicality with elegance. The brand quickly gained popularity among equestrians and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

Though Jorst may be classified as an amateur rider by USEF rules, her entrepreneurial spirit and ability to juggle riding a string of competition horses with managing a global business highlight her as a true professional in every sense of the word.

Meet Zhaplin Langholt

Zhaplin Langholt, an 11-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding (Zonik N.o.p. x Sonia Langholt), joined Charlotte Jorst’s string of competition horses in 2022. Since making his Grand Prix debut in 2024, Zhaplin has shown steady progress, earning an average Grand Prix Freestyle score of 71.41% and achieving a personal best of 74.38%.

Zhaplin scores well on his trot work, with extended trot often standing out as a highlight of his tests. In freestyle competitions, judges frequently reward the pair’s innovative choreography and musicality. As one of the country’s top amateurs, Jorst is always pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. With Zhaplin Langholt, she has a new partner who could help her realize her goal of competing on the Olympic stage. Their growing partnership is one to watch, as every ride brings them closer to reaching their full potential.

Jorst and Zhaplin will strut their stuff this Sunday at 8:45 a.m. Eastern.

Stay Connected

For the full calendar of events and standings updates, visit the official US Equestrian Open Series hub at usequestrianopen.org. Stay connected with the latest news and standings on Facebook and Instagram, and follow US Equestrian on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X (Twitter). Use #USEquestrianOpen to join the conversation.

For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at USEquestrianOpen@usef.org.

For media inquiries about the US Equestrian Open Series, please contact Carly Weilminster at cweilminster@usef.org. 

For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at lgriffin@usef.org.