Grand Prix rider and trainer
David Arcand started riding at the age of 8. At that time, he distinguished himself in regional competitions and at the Jeux équestres du Québec. He stood out as soon as he made his debut on the Quebec national circuit. Then, at the Canadian level, he was named at the age of 13 by Equine Canada “Junior Rider of the Year 2003” and became the recipient of the Gillian Wilson Trophy.
At the beginning of August 2007, in Lexington (Virginia, USA) as a member of the team representing Quebec at the North American Championships for Junior and Young Rider, David Arcand won two silver medals, one as a team and the other as an individual. In September 2007, he qualified for the Canadian final of the Circuit des Espoirs, and within the framework of the Royal Horse Show, he won the title of National Vice-Champion of the Talent Squad.
During the 2008 season, he qualified again for the Canadian final of the Circuit des Espoirs (known as Talent Squad). In the following weeks, as part of the Royal Horse Show, he won the title of National Talent Squad Champion. Equine Canada then awarded him the title “Junior Rider of the Year 2008” for the second time.
During the 2009 season, this young rider took part in qualifying events for the World Cup. He took 6th place at the International Bromont and 3rd place at Halton Place. In addition, he qualifies to participate in the Canadian Championship at the Royal Winter Fair.
During the winter of 2010, he distinguished himself at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) circuit in Wellington, Florida, winning the G&C Farm Young Riders Grand-Prix, in addition to competing in four CSI events ** * and CSI *** with the best riders in the world.
In 2011, David had an exceptional streak on the winter circuit in Florida in the Artisan Farm Young Rider Grand Prix Series classes by qualifying (3rd ahead of 60 rider / horse teams) for the final of the Nations Cup for Young Riders who was held in April in Leipzig, Germany (European Youngster Cup). It was a great moment and a great honor for the then 21-year-old rider to represent his country among the world’s elite “Young Riders”.
In 2013, David Arcand won the Tournée équestre provinciale du Québec gold medal after dominating the circuit all summer with Cassis Z Ten Halven. He also won the title of vice-champion of the National Final of the Circuit des espoirs (Talent Squad), at the Royal Winter Fair. With Vledder he competed in Grand Prix and World Cup qualifiers at 1.50 – 1.60 m. With 9th, 10th, 5th, 8th and 2nd places, he has accumulated points in the FEI Longines ranking. Ranked 20th in Canada, he obtained his passport to participate in the Canadian Championship at the Royal Winter Fair.
In January 2014, David Arcand was named to the 2014 Equine Canada Short List.
Also in 2014, David Arcand won no less than 5 Grands Prix in Quebec with the Candidate mare of Marquet, owned by Emmanuelle Bolduc. He also won a Modifé Grand Prix in Angelstone, Ontario with Cassis Z Ten Halven.
David is also the recipient of the Aramis trophy in the category “Senior athlete having most distinguished himself in Quebec / Canada in classical riding”
Since 2012, David Arcand has owned Santos Stables, a training center specializing in show jumping.
From 2018 to 2020, David lived in Belgium and Holland, where he worked and participated in several competitions of all levels. In October 2020 he returned to Quebec ready to share his experience with his clients.
It should be noted that David Arcand, during his career, worked with big names in equestrian sport. He was trained for 4 years by John Pearce, former member of the Canadian team, by Marie Hécart, member of the French team and by Eric Lamaze, gold medalist at the Olympic Games… He also took dressage lessons with Jurgen Von Butlar, one of the best specialists in North America.