Canadian Olympian David Marcus of Campbellville, ON, represented Canada in the CDI4* Adequan Global Dressage Festival held February 5 to 9 in Wellington, Florida.

In Friday’s Grand Prix competition, Marcus and Chrevi’s Capital were the top Canadian combination, earning a score of 68.74% to place fifth overall among an 18-horse starting field. Lars Petersen of Denmark won the Grand Prix with a score of 70.96% riding Mariett, while less than one percentage point separated the second through sixth placed finishers.

Friday night’s Freestyle competition took place in front a packed house at the Global Dressage Festival stadium. Marcus and Chrevi’s Capital performed to the music of George Michael and Wham!, designed by Dutch freestyle specialist Joost Peters, earning a score of 70.90%.

“It was a good weekend for Capital,” said Marcus, 33, of his London Olympic mount. “January was a cold month here, and the heat has really come on strong in the last few days. I think Capital was feeling the effects of that, he felt a little flat in general, but he did everything that we asked him to do. He did two tests with almost no mistakes in them.”
Marcus continued, “I was especially pleased with him tonight in the Freestyle because he didn’t feel the least bit nervous. It was a full house and while he would have previously made me aware of his inner tension, tonight it was just like any other day at the barn. It was a big achievement in his confidence.”

Chrevi’s Capital is a 14-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding (Chrevi’s Cavallo x Weinberg) owned by Deborah Kinzinger, who was recently named the Dressage Canada “Owner of the Year” for 2013.

Earlier in the day, Marcus and Chrevi’s Capital were officially named to the Canadian Dressage Team for the upcoming CDIO3* Adequan Global Dressage Festival from February 18 to 23. It will mark the third consecutive year that Wellington has hosted a Nations’ Cup competition for dressage, and the third consecutive year that Marcus has been named to the Canadian team.

“I am honoured to be named to the Nations’ Cup team for a third time here in Wellington,” said Marcus, who will ride alongside Brittany Fraser, Belinda Trussell and Chris von Martels as members of Team Canada 1. “This year, we have a very strong team. I’m excited, and feel that there is a lot of potential for our team to do well.”

Marcus operates David Marcus Dressage in Campbellville, ON. During the winter months, he is based in Wellington, Florida, home to a highly-competitive circuit that attracts riders from around the world.

Since making their grand prix debut two short years ago, Marcus and Chrevi’s Capital have represented Canada at the 2012 Olympic Games and won the 2012/2013 North American World Cup League. Their next goal is to qualify for for the 2014 FEI World Equestrian Games to be held in Normandy, France, in August.

Coach Oded Shimoni, trainer and partner Nicholas Fyffe, and groom Alison Malatestinic all play integral roles in Marcus’ success with Chrevi’s Capital. Marcus also greatly appreciates the generous support of his sponsors, EquineLUX saddle pads, Neue Schule bits, and SSG Gloves, in achieving his goals.