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.

The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) released the official standings for the North American World Cup League on March 25th. 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.

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.

“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,” said Marcus, 32. “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 added, “We wish Jacqueline and D Niro the very best and offer our heartfelt support during this very exciting time.”