Cygan made it possible for him to do his first advanced level show jumping test. Marcus finished the course with two penalties and finally switched to big horses at the age of 16. Orchid, Opium and Talan were the most important horses in the early days. During the five-year junior and young rider period, these three ensured four team gold medals at the European Championships. Especially with opium he delivered exciting jump-offs on rural terrain. With the gelding, he won over 40 jumps, including victory in the “Prize of Nations” and the Grand Prix in Warsaw.

Marcus competed in the first major international tournaments and successes with Costa, Antares and the aforementioned Opium. Since the arrival of For Pleasure at Christmas 1998, the success curve has been straight up.

The successes with Lars Nieberg are certainly still in everyone's memory. Talent for jumping, charisma and character of the Hanoverian stallion make him an exceptional horse.
The first set of Grand Prix horses includes Cornado, Comme Il Faut, Pret a tout and Funky Fred. In addition to the top horses, Marcus also looks after a number of young horses. Up to 10 horses are worked by him every day. In his free time, Marcus plays football with his brother Johannes to balance things out. Not far from the tournament stable, Marcus lives with his wife Nadia and their four children in their own four walls.