New Canadian David Marcus is Making his Mark in Dressage

Wellington, Florida – David Marcus of Campbellville, ON, made the most of his new Canadian citizenship, putting himself in contention for Olympic consideration following a strong winter competition season in Florida.  Several weeks of international dressage competition are held in the Wellington, West Palm Beach and Loxahatchee areas, making south Florida a top destination for dressage athletes from around the world.Marcus, 31, received his Canadian citizenship on December 28, 2011, and promptly began representing his new country successfully, scoring over 70% with Chrevi’s Capital in the national grand prix held at the Wellington Classic Dressage Premier from January 12 to 15 in Loxahatchee, Florida.Even more impressively, the national competition in Loxahatchee marked the first grand prix test for Marcus’s mount, Chrevi’s Capital owned by Deborah Kinzinger.  In just four short months competing at the sport’s highest level together, Marcus and the 12-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding have formed a solid partnership that has seen them achieve an average score of 67.251% for Olympic consideration.  As of May 1, Marcus is ranked fifth overall in a hotly contested race for a spot on the 2012 Canadian Olympic Dressage Team.

 “At every competition this winter, Chrevi’s Capital steadily increased his scores by one or two percent, culminating in the CDI5* at the Global Dressage Festival where we placed second in the Grand Prix Special,” said Marcus of the CDI5* Global Dressage Festival held March 28 to April 1 in Wellington, Florida.  “I am thrilled with the progress he has made; he has exceeded my expectations.  I had hoped that he would do this well, but he progressed so quickly, going from having never done a grand prix to now being so consistent in the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special that we are in the running for a place on the Olympic team.”

Marcus has been working with six-time Olympian Robert Dover of the United States for the past three seasons.  Dover’s own experience in international competition is a tremendous asset to his coaching, and has allowed Marcus to visualize competing with Chrevi’s Capital in the world’s largest venues.

 “He has no real weaknesses,” said Marcus, who competed at a total of seven events sanctioned by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) this winter.  “He has a super walk, trot and canter.  He has really great pirouettes and consistently earns scores of eight and occasionally a nine in his pirouette, extended trot, and walk work.  He can basically do everything for a score of eight; it is just up to me to ride well and be a good partner for him.”

Marcus and owner Kinzinger found Chrevi’s Capital (Chrevi’s Lavallo x Weinberg) in Sweden.  While the horse was competing at the small tour level, Marcus recognized his talent and potential for the grand prix and imported him to Canada in 2010.

 “I was immediately attracted to his presence, and I felt hat he had an aptitude for piaffe and passage even though he wasn’t confirmed in it yet,” recalled Marcus of his first impression of Chrevi’s Capital.  “What I liked most about his character was that he wanted to be good.  The temperament and rideability were there, and that is so important to me.  At this level, they have to want to work with you, and he really does.  He is always willing to try his hardest.  Sometimes he tries so hard that he makes mistakes, but he is very genuine.”

Marcus concluded his 2012 winter season in Florida by making his Canadian Team debut in the CDIO3* Wellington Dressage Nations’ Cup competition held April 13 to 15.  Riding Chrevi’s Capital, Marcus scored a win for his new country in one of the classes.  Although he has lived in Canada since moving at the age of 18 to attend McMaster University, Marcus, who was born in Omaha, Nebraska, was unable to represent Canada in international competition until he received full citizenship.

Having now returned home to Canada where he owns and operates David Marcus Dressage, a full-service dressage training facility based in Campbellville, ON, Marcus will next compete at the CDI3* Canada Classic from May 18 to 20 in Burlington, ON.  He then plans to travel to Lexington, Kentucky, the following week.  The final opportunity for Canadian Olympic Team hopefuls to earn qualifying scores will be in Blainville, Quebec, in June.

For more information, please visit www.davidmarcusdressage.com.