Canadian Olympian David Marcus of Campbellville, ON, enjoyed a successful weekend at the CDI-W NEDA Fall Festival held September 13-16 in Saugerties, New York.
In the Grand Prix, Marcus placed third with Chrevi’s Capital, who scored 67.957% to finish just ahead of barn mate Don Kontes, who earned 67.532% from the five-member panel of international judges. A total of 15 horses competed in the Grand Prix.
“I was really happy to get in the ring again, and I was very pleased with Capital’s performance,” said Marcus, who was competing with Chrevi’s Capital for the first time since the 2012 Olympic Games in London. “My goal was to go in and ride conservatively and build his confidence again, which I think worked well. I didn’t really know what to expect, but I wanted to give him the best experience possible.”
Marcus chose Chrevi’s Capital, a 12-year-old Danish Warmblood, as his mount in the Grand Prix Freestyle, taking third place with a score of 68.275%.
Don Kontes contested the Grand Prix Special, scoring 67.400% to place third. Both Chrevi’s Capital and Don Kontes are owned by Deborah Miculinic (nee Kinzinger) of King City, ON.
“Don Kontes really stepped up to the plate,” said Marcus, noting that Nicholas Fyffe trained Don Kontes while he was away in England more than six weeks for the Olympics. “Nicholas kept him going while I was away at the Olympics, and it was great that I could just get back on him and be successful upon my return.”
Having undergone colic surgery last summer, Don Kontes only began competing at the Olympic level of grand prix earlier this year.
“Don Kontes is just beginning his Grand Prix career,” noted Marcus of the 12-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding sired by Don Schufro. “He’s a little behind Capital in terms of his development and experience, but he has the potential to do as well as Capital, and he has been a very reliable horse the past few shows.”
Betrina made her competition debut under Marcus at the NEDA Fall Festival, scoring victory on Thursday in the First Level Test 2 with 72.027% and again on Sunday in First Level Test 3 with an impressive 79.677%. Marcus, who earned the highest possible score of 10 out of 10 for his riding, found the six-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare in the fall of last year for owner Deborah Miculinic.
The CDI-W NEDA Fall Festival was held on the same show grounds as the HITS-on-the-Hudson show jumping events.
“It’s a great venue,” said Marcus, 32, who has competed at the HITS-on-the-Hudson show grounds previously. “The footing is good, the stabling is nice, and the organizing committee does a great job. I always enjoy coming here.”
Marcus further explained, “I also think that Chrevi’s Capital has to go in all types of atmospheres, which is why he will go to Devon from here. I want to make sure he has a positive experience in the ring while, at the same time, encounters situations with a lot of atmosphere.”
It was a successful weekend all around for David Marcus Dressage. Trainer Nicholas Fyffe, representing his native Australia, placed second in the Grand Prix Freestyle with a score of 69.325% riding Sentimiento I for owner Tamara Gerber. The pair was also fifth in the Grand Prix scoring 66.362%.
Fresh off her bronze medal win at the North American Young Riders’ Championship, Alexandra Reid of Carlisle, ON, made a clean sweep of the Young Riders’ division, winning all three tests with VIP, also owned by Deborah Miculinic. Ally Dunlop of Burlington, ON, repeated the same feat in the CDI Junior division, capturing three wins aboard her horse, Danero.
“The kids did really well,” said Marcus. “I was really proud of them this weekend; they both rode great tests and consistently scored some of the best scores they’ve ever had. I couldn’t be more proud of them, and I am so pleased for Nicholas, who has become such a huge part of our team.”
Marcus and his horses, as well as his other students, will next compete at CDI-W Dressage at Devon in Pennsylvania from September 27 to 30.
For more information, please visit www.davidmarcusdressage.com
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