David Marcus Declines World Cup Final Invitation

Canadian Olympian David Marcus of Campbellville, ON, has won the North American World Cup League to earn an invitation to the 2013 World Cup Final to be held from April 24 to 28 in Goteborg, Sweden. However despite earning an invitation to the prestigious annual event, Marcus has made the difficult decision, in consultation with his owner, Deborah Kinzinger Miculinic, and his coach, four-time Olympic team bronze medalist Robert Dover, to decline the invitation. Jacqui Brooks and D Niro and Jaimey Irwin and Lindor's Finest will now compete at the World Cup Final in Gothenburg, as representatives of North America. They will be the first combinations from Canada to ride at the only annual global championships in four years. Jacquie Brooks finished second in the World Cup North American League which is entitled to places in the Final while Jaimey Irwin was the second reserve. Shelly Francis of the United States who was the first reserve on Doktor also decided not to go to Sweden.

David Marcus explained: "Upon careful reflection and after many discussions with my trainer, Robert Dover, and owner, Deborah Miculinic, we have made the very difficult decision to step aside from the World Cup Final this year. Capital has had an incredible six months since the Olympic Games, winning at Devon and continuing a meteoric rise through the winter dressage season in Wellington. His score for his recent win in the CDI-W Wellington Dressage Grand Prix Freestyle was just shy of 75 percent, proving that he is a legitimate contender for the world stage in the future. We will continue to work towards representing Canada at the upcoming 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy."

Marcus topped the leaderboard with an average score of 73.975% earned riding Chrevi's Capital, a 13-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding (Chrevi's Cavallo x Weinberg). His 2012 Canadian Olympic teammate Jacqueline Brooks ranked second with an average score of 72.600% riding D Niro. The top two athletes in the standings are invited to contest the 2013 Reem Acra FEI World Cup Final. Brooks chose to not compete in the Champions Cup last weekend to give D Niro a rest. Marcus added, "We wish Jacqueline and D Niro and Jaimy Irwin the very best and offer our heartfelt support during this very exciting time."
Marcus and Chrevi's Capital will next compete at the CDI5* Wellington from April 4 to 7 in Wellington, FL.