Wellington, FL – March 25, 2016 – Marcus Fyffe Dressage takes pride in providing quality training and guiding their clients in developing a partnership with their horses. High-performance Grand Prix riders, adult amateurs and up-and-coming youth competitors alike are flocking to join the team. Stationed year-round at Stillpoint Farm in Wellington, Florida, Olympian David Marcus and International Grand Prix rider Nicholas Fyffe welcome a range of levels and ages to create a positive, supportive atmosphere.
Seasoned professional Tuny Page, owner of Stillpoint Farm, is among the accomplished Grand Prix riders who rely on Marcus Fyffe Dressage to hone their performances at the highest level of dressage. Page has had a banner year so far, with a CDI Grand Prix Special victory and multiple top-three finishes internationally at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival. About to head to Europe with her top two Grand Prix mounts, Woodstock and Alina, she trusts the trainers to keep her other horses progressing in the right direction while she’s away. Page feels the diversity of clients in the Marcus Fyffe program creates a rich learning environment for all.
“We have a very collaborative atmosphere here at Stillpoint,” Page said. “People are open and supportive. We have this wonderful element of high-performance athletes and a nice group of up-and-coming younger people underneath us who are talented and dedicated. David and Nicholas are on the same page. There is no value difference between people doing piaffe-passage and people learning sitting trot: it’s all about where you are on your journey.”
Both Marcus and Fyffe have an eye for assessing horses’ strong points and potential areas of improvement. They work together to help clients reach their full potential.
“David and Nicholas can really see what needs to be addressed, what needs to be developed and what needs to just be rewarded and left alone,” Page said. “I find them both to be very engaged and enthusiastic about what they are doing, but they are not so strong or so pushy that it would make me too intense. They always see the glass as half full.”
Page’s excellent results this winter season have culminated in her selection to represent the U.S. in the Stillpoint Farm Nations Cup CDIO3*, the final competition of the 2016 Adequan Global Dressage Festival. Currently ranked among the top eight riders in the U.S. Olympic rankings, Page hopes to carry her momentum through to the European observation events.
Another Marcus Fyffe client who has seen great results is adult amateur Wendy Inch, who brought her 9-year-old P.R.E. stallion Presumido CIV to Marcus Fyffe Dressage because of Nicholas’ knowledge and experience with P.R.E. horses. Growing up with a love for dressage, Inch put her passion on hold while pursuing her career. After returning to the sport, she now aims to grow her partnership with Presumido.
“David and Nicholas’ concept of dressage has worked wonders for me and my horse,” Inch said. “I started training with them last summer and came down to Wellington for the first time this year because I just didn’t want to let go. We had such a good thing going. It’s been more than I could have imagined.”
Inch appreciates Marcus and Fyffe’s approach to teaching, with their emphasis on looking to better yourself as a rider for the benefit of the horse. She finds that the two trainers’ distinct styles provide useful insights. Each approaches lessons differently, but draws on the same theories and works toward the same end goals.
“Everything is focused on getting the best out of your partnership and being the best you can be for your horse so that you’re a happy pair,” Inch said. “This was a concept that really drew me into their training. My aids have become much quieter and much lighter. They have different experiences, but the same theories and concepts in developing where they want their clients to go with their horses.”
Among the younger members of the Marcus Fyffe team is 17-year-old Katrina Sadis, who purchased her 12-year-old Lusitano gelding, Zepelim, with help from Fyffe. Sadis competes in the FEI Young Rider division and is building her knowledge of the sport as a working student for Marcus Fyffe Dressage.
“Being a working student is hard work, but everyone is very supportive, and the barn has a really great energy,” Sadis said. “It’s definitely one of my favorite things about working for Marcus Fyffe Dressage.”
Sadis stumbled upon dressage lessons when she was 10, and she was immediately hooked. Though her schedule is packed, she is thrilled for the opportunity to watch Grand Prix riders every day and learn in depth about care for international quality horses. She attributes her positive experience as a working student to the entire Marcus Fyffe Dressage team.
“I think the relationship you have with your horse really made dressage stand out for me,” she said. “I have always loved the beauty of the sport and the amount of dedication you have to have to be successful. David and Nicholas are both very dedicated as trainers. They are really good at keeping it fun, while also being fair in their training for the horse.”
