Tag Archives: David Marcus

Royal Victory for Canada’s David Marcus

David Marcus and his Olympic mount Chrevi’s Capital won the $20,000 Royal Invitational Dressage Cup at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto, ON. Photo Credit – Cealy Tetley.

November 7, 2013 – Toronto, Ontario – Canadian Olympian David Marcus of Campbellville, ON, won the Grand Prix and placed second in the Grand Prix Freestyle in the $20,000 Royal Invitational Dressage Cup held November 6 and 7 at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto, ON.

Limited to the best riders in the nation, the top four Canadians in the world rankings were invited to contest the $20,000 Royal Invitational Dressage Cup.  The win was even more special as the Canadian Dressage Athlete Assistance Program, founded by Marcus’s owner, Deborah Kinzinger, was also the presenting sponsor of this year’s event.

Riding his 2012 London Olympic mount, Chrevi’s Capital, Marcus earned a score of 70% from the panel of judges for his Grand Prix test.  London Olympic alternate, Diane Creech riding Devon L, placed second with a score of 67.80%.

“In the Grand Prix, I wanted to go in, do a clean test, and hit that 70% mark; it was exactly what I wanted,” said Marcus, 33, of his performance.  “Capital was very relaxed and very rideable.  I said before the Freestyle that if we can reproduce that with the stands full, I’d be thrilled.”

Marcus is in the unique position of having two grand prix mounts, and gave the nod to Chrevi’s Capital over Don Kontes, also owned by Kinzinger, for the $20,000 Royal Invitational Dressage Cup.

“I felt like it would be good for his confidence, and show that he is in top form and can handle these situations comfortably,” said Marcus of his decision to ride Chrevi’s Capital, a 13-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding (Chrevi’s Cavallo x Weinberg).  “The Royal is a unique competition in that it’s an indoor competition, which is rare in North America.  The fact that it’s an indoor competition makes it a great test of the horse’s ability to handle atmosphere, which is something that’s very important at the top level of the sport.”

Handle the atmosphere Chrevi’s Capital did, comfortably performing the Grand Prix Freestyle in front of approximately 4,000 spectators in the Ricoh Coliseum.  The program compiled by Dutch freestyle designer Joost Peters allowed Marcus and Chrevi’s Capital to execute several difficult movements set to the music of George Michael and Wham!.  The judges rewarded the pair with a score of 72.917%, reversing the top placings of the previous day’s competition and putting Marcus second to Creech.

“It’s a great show, I’ve been coming every year, if only as a spectator, since I first moved to Canada,” said Marcus, who represented the United States in five North American Young Riders’ Championships before obtaining his Canadian citizenship in 2011.  “It’s very exciting to be invited to compete here.  It’s a prestigious invitation, which I greatly appreciate.  And it’s exciting not only for me, but also for my owner, Deborah.  She rode as a child and a goal of hers was always to compete at the Royal, which she never did.  This has been a wonderful experience for her as well.”

If watching her horse win at the Royal wasn’t enough of a dream come true, Kinzinger was also recognized as the Dressage Canada “Owner of the Year” in a special ceremony held during the Royal Invitational Dressage Cup.

“Deborah’s support has meant so much to me personally, and she has also been greatly involved with developing dressage in Canada as a whole, working with Equine Canada to implement training and fundraising strategies that will help take us to the next level,” said Marcus, who himself received special recognition for being the highest-ranked Canadian on the FEI World Ranking list.

Marcus also relied on the support of his groom, Alison Malatestinic, and his partner, Nicholas Fyffe, who coached him at the Ricoh Coliseum each morning at 6 a.m. before traveling back to Campbellville to maintain the day-to-day training operation of riding and teaching clients.

Having only made their grand prix debut at the beginning of 2012, Marcus and Chrevi’s Capital shot onto the international stage, earning a berth to the 2012 Olympic Games and winning the 2012/2013 North American World Cup League.  The next goal on Marcus’s career path is to qualify for the Canadian Dressage Team for the 2014 FEI World Equestrian Games next August in Normandy, France.

Marcus operates David Marcus Dressage, a full-service dressage training and sales facility, in Campbellville, ON, just west of Toronto.  Beginning in December, he will be based in Wellington, FL, for the winter season, where he and his students have become familiar faces on the highly-competitive international show circuit.

Marcus appreciates the generous support of his sponsors, EquineLUX saddle pads, Neue Schule bits, and SSG Gloves, in achieving his goals.  For more information, please visit www.davidmarcusdressage.com.

Contact:  Jennifer Ward
Starting Gate Communications
Cell: (613) 292-5439
www.startinggate.ca

David Marcus and Chrevi’s Capital Capture CornerStone Summer Festival

David Marcus, pictured here with Don Kontes, won both the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special riding Chrevi’s Capital at the CornerStone Summer Festival. Photo by Mike Werner.

Palgrave, Ontario – Canadian Olympian David Marcus of Campbellville, ON, and Chrevi’s Capital won both the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special at the CornerStone Summer Festival held July 12 to 14 at the Caledon Equestrian Park in Palgrave, ON.  Caledon Equestrian Park will be the site of equestrian competition for the 2015 Pan American Games.

Marcus contested the grand prix division with Chrevi’s Capital and Don Kontes, both owned by Deborah Kinzinger.  With his 2012 Olympic mount Chrevi’s Capital, a 13-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding (Chrevi’s Cavallo x Weinberg), Marcus topped a starting field of nine entries to win Friday’s Grand Prix test with a score of 72.50%.  Marcus also placed fifth with Don Kontes, a 13-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding by Don Schufro, scoring 67.07%.

“I have not done a national show with these two horses since they did their very first Grand Prix,” said Marcus.  “I wanted to take them this weekend to a competition where I could just experiment a little bit with each of them.  It was about making corrections, experimenting with where I could add, where I could take back, and seeing how that worked.  I just wanted to play around with taking some risks.”

In Saturday’s Grand Prix Special, Chrevi’s Capital again emerged victorious while Don Kontes was third.

“Both horses were great,” said Marcus, 32.  “With Capital, I think the risks I took paid off, because he had his highest score to date in a grand prix test from FEI judges.  With Don Kontes, we made a few mistakes in the test this weekend because I was trying something new, but I think the risks I took will be good for his training in the long run.”

In his last FEI-sanctioned competition, the CDI3* Angelstone International Dressage Tournament held June 14 through 16 in Rockwood, ON, Marcus scored a rare grand prix hat-trick, winning the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle with Chrevi’s Capital, and the Grand Prix Special with Don Kontes.

Marcus will return to international competition by competing at two CDI-W events in August and September in Saugerties, NY, followed by CDI-W Dressage at Devon, PA, where he is a defending champion, having won last year’s Grand Prix for Freestyle with Chrevi’s Capital and Grand Prix for Special with Don Kontes.  His long term goal is to represent Canada at the 2014 FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Normandy, France.

Marcus operates David Marcus Dressage in Campbellville, ON, just west of Toronto, and spends the winter season competing on the highly-competitive show circuit in Wellington, FL.  For more information, please visit www.davidmarcusdressage.com.

Contact:  Jennifer Ward
Starting Gate Communications
Cell: (613) 292-5439
www.startinggate.ca

David Marcus Debuts New Mount, Don Altena

Don Altena made his competition debut under Canadian Olympian David Marcus at the CornerStone Summer Festival. Photo Credit – Ally Dunlop.

July 14, 2013 – Palgrave, Ontario – Don Altena made his competition debut under Canadian Olympian David Marcus at the CornerStone Summer Festival held July 12 to 14 at the Caledon Equestrian Park in Palgrave, ON.  Caledon Equestrian Park is preparing to host the equestrian events for the 2015 Pan American Games.

Marcus, who operates David Marcus Dressage in Campbellville, ON, and owner Deborah Kinzinger found Don Altena, a five-year-old bay Dutch Warmblood gelding (Wonderboy x El Corona) last fall in Europe.  The CornerStone Summer Festival marked their first competitive appearance.

“We purchased him in the fall as an investment horse,” explained Marcus, who chose to ride the FEI Five-Year-Old test, developed specifically to showcase future international prospects at their current stage of development.  “The longer we have him, the more we like him.  I wanted to take him to a horse show and see if the judges thought he was as nice as we think he is.”

The judges agreed, awarding Don Altena with a score of 74.40% in Friday’s competition.

“I was very happy with the result,” said Marcus.  “Don Altena deserved the score he received.  He showed off beautiful gaits, had no mistakes, and was very submissive and relaxed.  He earned the highest score of the test for his canter and, in the future, I think he’s also going to have a real ability for the piaffe and passage work.  He already has a talent for it, and I’m looking forward to seeing how it develops.”

Marcus is based in Campbellville, ON, just west of Toronto, where he concentrates on training, coaching and horse sales for the top levels of dressage sport.  He spends the winter season competing on the highly-competitive show circuit in Wellington, FL.  For more information, please visit www.davidmarcusdressage.com.

Contact:  Jennifer Ward
Starting Gate Communications
Cell: (613) 292-5439
www.startinggate.ca

David Marcus Scores Grand Prix Hattrick at CDI3* Rockwood

David Marcus and Chrevi’s Capital won the Grand Prix and the Grand Prix Freestyle at the CDI3* Angelstone International Dressage Tournament. Mary White, Lone Oak Equine Photography.

June 16, 2013 – Rockwood, Ontario – Canadian Olympian David Marcus of Campbellville, ON, made a clean sweep of the grand prix division at the CDI3* Angelstone International Dressage Tournament held June 14 through 16 in Rockwood, ON.  Riding his 2012 London Olympic mount, Chrevi’s Capital, Marcus won both the Grand Prix and the Grand Prix Freestyle while Don Kontes stood in the winner’s circle following the Grand Prix Special.

Marcus and Chrevi’s Capital topped a nine-horse starting field with a score of 69.81% earned from the five-member panel of international judges.  Riding Don Kontes, Marcus took third place with a score of 66.62%, finishing behind his 2012 London Olympic teammate Jacqueline Brooks and D Niro who scored 67.51%.  Both of Marcus’s horses are owned by Deborah Kinzinger.

“Capital hasn’t shown since February, so it was nice to get him back in the show ring,” said Marcus, 32.  “He felt fresh and happy in his job.  It was a nice, clean test.  It was fairly conservative, but since he hadn’t shown in a while, my goal was simply to go in and have no mistakes.”

Both the Grand Prix Special and Grand Prix Freestyle were held on Saturday evening in front of hundreds of spectators.  Marcus and Chrevi’s Capital, a 13-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding (Chrevi’s Cavallo x Weinberg), rode their musical freestyle for the third time in competition, having debuted their new program at the prestigious CDI5* World Dressage Masters Palm Beach in January.  Compiled by Joost Peters of The Netherlands and featuring the music of George Michael and WHAM!, their freestyle performance earned the winning score of 72.73% to hold off Brooks and D Niro with 72.33%.

“I love his new Freestyle,” said Marcus.  “It wasn’t without mistakes, so there are still a lot more points in there for him.  The high degree of difficulty in our choreography is really the highlight of this freestyle.”

Especially poignant for Marcus was being presented with the inaugural Jon Costin Memorial Cup as the winner of the Grand Prix Freestyle.  A successful and extremely popular Canadian grand prix dressage competitor, Costin died unexpectedly in May.

“Jon was a good friend of mine, so it meant a lot to me to win the trophy created in his honour,” said Marcus.  “I would also like to thank Leatherdale Farms for sponsoring the entire grand prix division.  They are very supportive of dressage sport in Canada, and their generosity is greatly appreciated.  Of course, I wouldn’t be where I am without the support of my owner, Deb Kinzinger.”

Kinzinger was on hand to cheer Marcus to victory in the Freestyle, just as she had done earlier in the evening when Marcus piloted her Don Kontes to the win in the Grand Prix Special.  The pair earned a score of 67.94% to easily take the win over runner-up Evi Strasser of St. Adele, QC, and Renaissance Tyme, who scored 66.67%.

“Don Kontes felt the best he has ever felt, especially in the trot work,” said Marcus of the 13-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding by Don Schufro.  “Unfortunately, I made a mistake and we went off course so that brought our score down, but he is feeling stronger and more through.  His scores improved from Friday’s Grand Prix, so I was very happy with that.”

The pair earned scores of eight out of 10 for several movements in the Grand Prix Special test, including their passage and canter work.

“Since our last show in April, I’ve been working with him on the basics, getting him stronger and fitter,” explained Marcus, whose last competition with Don Kontes was as a member of Canada’s bronze medal team at the CDIO3* Nations’ Cup in Wellington, FL.  “He’s getting better and better all the time.”

In addition to his own success, Marcus also coached Maya Markowski and her horse, Lumiere, to strong placings in the competitive CDI small tour division.  His partner, Nicholas Fyffe, competed at Third Level with Fiero HGF, owned by Robert Dover, in addition to helping Marcus on the ground.

For Marcus, the rest of the season will see him continue aiming Chrevi’s Capital towards the 2014 FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) to be held next August in Normandy, France.

“Capital feels great, in his body and in his mind, and I’m looking forward to this year with him,” said Marcus, who plans to contest CDI events in Saugerties, New York, and Devon, Pennsylvania, later this season.  “Everything we do this year is in preparation for the World Equestrian Games next year.  We are trying to make the right plan to set him up mentally and physically to peak next year at the WEG.”

Marcus operates David Marcus Dressage in Campbellville, ON, just west of Toronto.  For more information, please visit www.davidmarcusdressage.com.

Contact:  Jennifer Ward
Starting Gate Communications
Cell: (613) 292-5439
www.startinggate.ca

David Marcus Wraps Up Successful Winter Season

David Marcus and Don Kontes led Team Canada 1 to a bronze medal at the CDIO3* Wellington Nations’ Cup. Photo by Sue Stickle.

Wellington, Florida – Canadian Olympian David Marcus of Campbellville, ON, wrapped up a highly successful winter season with a bronze medal performance as part of Team Canada 1 in the CDIO3* Wellington Nations’ Cup held April 11 to 14 as part of the Adequan Global Dressage Festival at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL.

Riding Don Kontes, a 13-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding owned by Deborah Kinzinger Miculinic, Marcus put in an exciting performance in the Grand Prix on Friday, April 12 to help lead Canada to the podium.  His teammates included Christilot Boylen riding Dio Mio, Brittany Fraser aboard All In and Evi Strasser with Action Tyme.  Team USA 1 claimed the gold while Team USA 2 took home silver in the only Nations’ Cup competition held outside of Europe.

“It has been a tremendous season for both me and my students,” said Marcus.  “The five months we’ve spent in Florida have gone by so quickly.  I couldn’t be more pleased with how successful all of the horses were this winter.”

Marcus’s bronze medal performance was the latest in the long string of successes he has enjoyed over the winter competition season.  Riding Chrevi’s Capital, a 13-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding also owned by Kinzinger Miculinic, Marcus topped the North American World Cup League after dominating the CDI-W Wellington Dressage in February.  In the Grand Prix, he topped a starting field of 13 horses with a score of 70.34%, edging out Swedish Olympian Tinne Vilhelmson for the win.  In the Grand Prix Freestyle, he performed his new musical program for just the second time in competition, earning an impressive score of 74.45% from the five-member panel of international judges to claim the top spot once again during the World Cup qualifying event.

Marcus and Chrevi’s Capital also received an invitation to the prestigious CDI5* World Dressage Masters Palm Beach in January where they were the sole Canadian representatives to advance to the Grand Prix Freestyle, placing sixth overall.

Don Kontes also proved to be a reliable partner for Marcus, with the pair winning the Grand Prix Freestyle during the CDI3* Sunshine Challenge in January on their score of 70.825% and finishing second in the Grand Prix.

“Winning the World Cup qualifier with Capital was definitely one of the high points of the winter season for me, as was competing in the World Dressage Masters for the first time,” explained Marcus.  “I was also really excited about representing Canada with Don Kontes.  I gave both horses their time to shine and I think it worked out really well for us.”

Marcus’s students also proved successful during the winter season, earning tremendous results of their own.

“All of my students did very well during the winter circuit,” said Marcus.  “Ally Dunlop made her debut at the Young Riders level and finished her season with a win at the International Horse Sports Champion Cup in March.  Maya Markowsk represented Canada for the first time as part of Team Canada 2 at the Wellington Nations’ Cup with Lumiere, finishing sixth.  Lumiere is a great horse for Canada and I am really excited for their future together.”

Marcus credits his success in part to the amazing support he receives.

“Deborah Kinzinger Miculinic, who owns my horses, Robert Dover, who has been training me all winter, and Nicholas Fyffe, who is always a big help to me, helped make all of my success so far this season possible,” said Marcus.  “I want to give them all a huge ‘thank you’ for supporting me this winter.”

With the winter competition circuit now over, Marcus will head home to Canada to give the horses a bit of a break before focusing on preparing for the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France.

Marcus operates David Marcus Dressage in Campbellville, ON, just west of Toronto.  For more information, please visit www.davidmarcusdressage.com.

Contact:  Jennifer Ward
Starting Gate Communications
Cell: (613) 292-5439
www.startinggate.ca

International Horse Sport Champions Cup Last Chance for U.S. Pair to Qualify for World Cup Final

Tina Konyot and Calecto V at the 2013 World Dressage Masters CDI5* Palm Beach. Photo © SusanJStickle.com.

Loxahatchee, FL – March 19, 2013 – Tina Konyot and Calecto V have competed lightly but successfully in South Florida this winter, and now their bid to compete in the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Final rests on their performance in the March 21-24 International Horse Sport Champions Cup CDI-W.

The IHS Champions Cup, held at the IHS Champions Park at Equestrian Estates in Loxahatchee, is the final World Cup qualifier for the North American League. Horse and rider combinations must post two scores in designated World Cup qualifying events to be eligible to compete. The two highest-scoring combinations earn a place at the Final, which is slated for April 25-28 in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Konyot and Calecto V earned their first qualifying score in the Feb. 14-17 Florida Dressage Classic CDI-W, part of the Adequan Global Dressage Festival. They were awarded 76.775% for their Grand Prix Freestyle performance, the highest North American League score recorded to date on the road to qualification for the 2013 World Cup.

After the most recent World Cup qualifier, the Feb. 28 – March 3 Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W, Canadian duo David Marcus and Chrevi’s Capital stood atop the leaderboard for the North American League with an average of 73.975% for their top two qualifying Grand Prix Freestyle scores. Fellow Canadians Jacqueline Brooks and D Niro were in second with an average of 72.600%.

David Marcus and Don Kontes at the 2013 Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W
David Marcus and Don Kontes at the 2013 Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W

To obtain the required second qualifying score and secure a spot in the World Cup Final, Konyot must compete in the IHS Champions Cup and post a score high enough to overtake Brooks in the standings. With two Canadians currently holding the top places, Konyot and Calecto V represent the last U.S. hopes for the World Cup Final.

The International Horse Sport competitions have proven to be essential stops for riders hoping to qualify for the World Cup Final. Several riders put themselves on the leaderboard with strong results at the historic Palm Beach Dressage Derby. Jaimey Irwin and Lindor’s Finest took third and Diane Creech and Devon L claimed fourth after both pairs earned their second-highest qualifying scores of the season at the Dressage Derby. Brooks also collected a key score there on her way to her current second-place standing.

Brooks, Creech and Marcus all plan to return to Equestrian Estates for what is shaping up to be a competitive Grand Prix division. Along with his potential World Cup mount, Chrevi’s Capital, Marcus will ride Don Kontes, with whom he finished third in the Grand Prix at the Dressage Derby. The Grand Prix also features several competitors who have been successful on the winter circuit thus far, including Lars Petersen and Mariett, winners of the Grand Prix and Freestyle at the Dressage Derby, and Shelly Francis and Doktor, who were second in both classes.

Brooks is ready to compete in the World Cup Final if given the opportunity, but thinks Konyot stands a good chance of taking over her spot. “Once Tina gets another score, then it will be Tina, David, then me,” Brooks said. “I’m ready to go if one or the other decides not to, and I feel now that D Niro is ready to go. I’m very confident that he can go into big stadiums and actually enjoy it.”

Jacqueline Brooks and D Niro at the 2013 Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W
Jacqueline Brooks and D Niro at the 2013 Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W

Konyot has been planning for the World Cup for some time and thinks that her horse is ready to put forth his best performance. “I feel quite confident,” she said. “I planned my schedule many months out. I’m comfortable with my planning right now, and I think he’s in a good place.”

She added that the IHS Champions Cup has been a major goal for her on the road to the World Cup Final. “I consider every day important for me to prepare for something,” she said. “Next week [the Champions Cup] is even more important for me to prepare for, because I only have one qualifying score, of over 76%, and I need one more score for that.”

“I will probably put a little bit more pressure on him in this last competition,” Konyot continued. “We all have to peak at the right moment, so I’m headed in that direction at this present time.”

If Konyot and Calecto V deliver the performance Konyot is hoping for, spectators at the Champions Cup will have quite the show as she goes head-to-head with other top competitors and tries to earn her remaining qualifying score.

The Champions Cup will be held at IHS Champions Park, also known as the Derby Showgrounds, a beautiful property in White Fences owned by Mary Ann and Walter McPhail and managed by International Horse Sport Palm Beach. The IHS Palm Beach Managing Partners include FEI riders and trainers Ed Borresen and Lars Petersen, together with well-known show organizers Noreen O’Sullivan and John Flanagan.

To learn more about International Horse Sport and the IHS Champions Cup CDI-W, go to www.ihspb.com.

International Horse Sport Champions Cup CDI-W/CDI1*/J/Y/P/U25 Fast Facts

USEF High Performance Qualifying Competition for the 2013 World Cup
Over $20,000 in Cash and Prizes
2013 USEF National Grand Prix & Intermediaire I Championship
2013 Massy Ferguson/USEF North American Junior & Young Riders’ Championship
USEF National Pony Rider Championships, USEF Developing Horse Championships
Markel/USEF Young Horse Championships, USEF National Brentina Cup Championships
USEF Level 5 Competition – USDF Musical Freestyles; USEF First thru Fourth Levels; FEI PSG thru Grand Prix, including FEI Musical Freestyles, JY/YR, FEI Five & Six Year Old Tests
IHS Blue Hors Invitational & Series Final Qualifier

Where:
IHS Champions Park – Equestrian Estates
3700 Hanover Circle
Loxahatchee, FL
Directions: www.pbderby.com/directions.html

When:
March 21-24

Show organizer:
Noreen O’Sullivan, Show Manager
561-227-1570
nosullivan@wellingtonclassicdressage.com

John Flanagan
Advertising & Sponsorship Director
561-714-9058
jflanagan@wellingtonclassicdressage.com

Lars Petersen
Managing Partner
lpetersen@ihspb.com

Ed Borresen
Managing Partner
ebborresen@ihspb.com

For class schedules, results and information about International Horse Sport Palm Beach, go to www.ihspb.com.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/International-Horse-Sport-Palm-Beach/119102038188011?ref=hl.

Mary Adelaide Brakenridge for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12012 South Shore Blvd #105
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

David Marcus Wins Wellington World Cup Qualifier

David Marcus and Chrevi’s Capital won the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle at the CDI-W Wellington Dressage. Photo - Sue Stickle

February 3, 2013 – Wellington, Florida – Canadian Olympian David Marcus of Campbellville, ON, dominated the CDI-W Wellington Dressage, a World Cup qualifying event, held January 31 to February 3 in Wellington, FL.  Marcus won both the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle competitions riding Chrevi’s Capital for owner Deborah Miculinic.

In the Grand Prix held Thursday, January 31, Marcus topped a starting field of 13 horses with a score of 70.34%, edging out Swedish Olympian Tinne Vilhelmson for the win.  In Saturday’s night’s Grand Prix Freestyle, Marcus performed his new musical program for the second time in competition, earning an impressive score of 74.45% from the five-member panel of international judges.  Vilhelmson was again his toughest competition, placing second with a score of 72.35% riding Divertimento.

“He was very good in there, under the lights at night,” said Marcus of his Freestyle performance with Chrevi’s Capital, a 13-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding (Chrevi’s Cavallo x Weinberg).  “He was really comfortable.  This was my second time doing the Freestyle, the first being last week at the World Dressage Masters, so I felt a little more confident doing it, too.  I felt like I could really ride to the music.  I think it worked out really well.”

Continue reading David Marcus Wins Wellington World Cup Qualifier

David Marcus Wins the FEI Grand Prix aboard Chrevi’s Capital at Wellington Dressage CDI-W

David Marcus and Chrevi's Capital. Photo © SusanJStickle.com

Wellington, FL – January 31, 2013 – The 2013 Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) kicked off international competition today at the beautiful Stadium with a win for Canada’s David Marcus. The first of two CDI-Ws in the AGDF circuit, the Wellington Dressage show continues through February 3, and is presented by The Dutta Corp.

Fourteen horse and rider combinations showed in today’s FEI Grand Prix. Judging today’s class was Anne Gribbons (USA) at E, Lorraine MacDonald (CAN) at H, Wojek Markowski (POL) at C, Janet Foy (USA) at M, and Jennie Loriston-Clarke (GBR) at B.

David Marcus’ mount, Chrevi’s Capital (Chrevi’s Lavallo x Weinberg), was steady in his performance this afternoon despite the cooler temperatures. Owner Deborah Miculinic was in attendance to see the win, which was quite exciting for both her and Marcus. With having competed at the AGDF last year, the 13-year-old dark bay Danish Warmblood gelding was very composed in today’s test.

Continue reading David Marcus Wins the FEI Grand Prix aboard Chrevi’s Capital at Wellington Dressage CDI-W

David Marcus Top Canadian at World Dressage Masters

David Marcus and Chrevi’s Capital were the top-placed Canadian combination, earning sixth in the Grand Prix Freestyle at the CDI5* World Dressage Masters. Photo Credit – Sue Stickle

January 28, 2013 – Wellington, Florida – David Marcus of Campbellville, ON, was the top-placed Canadian at the CDI5* World Dressage Masters Palm Beach held January 23 to 27 in West Palm Beach, FL.

In a 15-horse starting field that featured riders from Canada, Denmark, Italy, Sweden, The Netherlands, and the United States, Marcus placed seventh in Friday’s Grand Prix test.  Marcus and Chrevi’s Capital, 13-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding (Chrevi’s Cavallo x Weinberg) owned by Deborah Miculinic, earned a score of 70.66% from the panel of five international judges and qualified to advance to Saturday night’s Grand Prix Freestyle.

In front of a packed house at the Jim Brandon Center, seven of the world’s best performed their individually choreographed musical freestyle programs.  Marcus introduced his new Freestyle program, compiled by Joost Peters of The Netherlands.  Featuring music from WHAM! and George Michael, the extremely difficult choreography highlighted Chrevi’s Capital’s strong canter work, including quality pirouettes and elegant half-pass, while impressive piaffe and passage were also rewarded with high scores from the judges.  The pair’s final score of 70.75% ranked them sixth overall in their World Dressage Masters debut.

Continue reading David Marcus Top Canadian at World Dressage Masters

David Marcus Leads North American World Cup League

David Marcus currently leads the North American World Cup League standings with his Olympic mount Chrevi’s Capital. Photo – Cealy Tetley

December 10, 2012 – Wellington, Florida – Following a successful fall season, Canadian Olympian David Marcus of Campbellville, ON, currently leads the North American World Cup League standings for dressage.

Marcus, 32, won three grand prix tests to dominate CDI-W Dressage at Devon held September 27 to 30 in Devon, Pennsylvania.  Coupled with his impressive results in at the CDI-W NEDA Fall Festival in Saugerties, NY, Marcus currently tops the North American World Cup League leader board with Chrevi’s Capital, a 12-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding owned by Deborah Miculinic (nee Kinzinger).  The pair has an average score of 70.888% to put them ahead of Melissa Taylor of the United States who is currently ranked second with an average of 70.500%.  The top two athletes in the North American League rankings are invited to contest the 2013 FEI World Cup Final from April 24 to 28 in Goteborg, Sweden.

“It is really exciting to be in this position after two qualifying shows,” said Marcus.  “It’s still early in the season, but it’s an event I would love to compete in.”

Continue reading David Marcus Leads North American World Cup League