Dressage Canada is pleased to announce that Deborah Kinzinger-Miculinic of Brampton, ON, has been named the 2013 Dressage Canada Owner of the Year.
Having left the world of riding in her youth, Kinzinger-Miculinic decided to rejoin the equestrian community in 2010 on her 50th birthday. In her search for an instructor, she came across David Marcus of Campbellville, ON, who now rides two of her well-known Grand Prix horses, Don Kontes her 13-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding by Don Schufro; first purchased by Marcus for Kinzinger-Miculinic to ride, and Chrevi’s Capital her 13-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding by Chrevi’s Cavallo. Marcus began campaigning both horses at the Grand Prix level in 2012, the same year Chrevi’s Capital would make his Olympic debut under Marcus at the London Games. In the works are two promising mounts, Betrina, a seven-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare and Don Altena, another Dutch Warmblood that is campaigning in FEI Five-year-old classes. In addition, Kinzinger-Miculinic enjoys breeding and has broodmares and young stock in Canada and Europe who will eventually make their way to Olympian Marcus’ program for evaluation.
As an owner, she fulfills her wish to be more involved with horses on a day to day basis but it is her passion for the sport that prompted her to extend her commitment to the national dressage program in Canada by developing the Canadian Dressage Athlete Assistance Program (C-DAAP) in conjunction with many riders and owners. Equine Canada adopted the program dedicated to assisting riders financially in reaching their high performance goals. C-DAAP was born out of Kinzinger-Miculinic’s realization of how expensive it is for athletes to train, qualify, prepare and compete for Canada internationally. She recognized a need to support Canada’s dressage talent and is working diligently to ensure funds will be available to them in their efforts to be counted among the best competitors the world.
“I am deeply honoured that Dressage Canada selected me as Owner of the Year. There are many owners in Canadian dressage equally as deserving of such an acknowledgement, many of whom who have taken the time to teach me “little by little” the intricate world of dressage. Their mentorship, friendship and dedication to positive change have helped inspire me to try and make a difference.
Going forward, my commitment to dressage through the newly created C-DAAP (Canadian Dressage Athlete’s Assistance Program) is unwavering. By working hand in hand with others to support our riders, creating opportunities for them to reach their goals with new innovative programs and by providing sustainable funding, Canadian dressage will be recognized as a leader in the sport.
Once again, my deepest gratitude goes to all of the friends and family who have been so supportive and to Dressage Canada for this wonderful award. Finally, to David Marcus and my horses, thank you for allowing me to part of this incredible journey for whom this would not be possible,” commented Kinzinger-Miculinic.
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