David Will: Successes, horses and partnerships

David Will's career

David Will, born on March 21, 1988, comes from a horse-loving family and was influenced by equestrian sports from an early age. After leaving school, he trained as a horse trainer and worked for many years as a rider at Dietmar Gugler's stables in Pfungstadt. During this time, he was also a member of the show jumping perspective group of the German Olympic Committee for Equestrian Sports (DOKR). He made his international breakthrough as a show jumper in March 2013 when he won the World Cup show jumping competition in 's-Hertogenbosch in the Netherlands with Colorit. This was one of his best moments in the sport. In addition to his time as a rider, David also completed a year at the Bundeswehr Sports School in Warendorf before returning to Pfungstadt in 2007.

Independence in Dagobertshausen

In 2019, David Will set up his own business at Hofgut Dagobertshausen near Marburg, where he runs the farm together with show jumper Richard Vogel a competition and training stable. The switch to self-employment was a significant step in his career, which not only includes training and schooling the horses, but also the entire organization and administration of the business. This comprehensive responsibility has considerably broadened David Will's view of equestrian sport and his role as a rider and entrepreneur. During a visit to Dagoberthausen, we asked David Will, Richard Vogel and Sophie Hinners how self-employment works with Richard Vogel and Sophie Hinners in Dagoberthausen and what goals the team has for the future:

David Will's successful horses

David Will has worked with many remarkable horses over the course of his career. One horse that stands out in particular is Mic Mac du Tillard, a Selle Français mare with whom David has celebrated numerous successes. "Mici", as she is affectionately known, has a special place in David's heart and enjoys a special status in the stable. Another outstanding partner was Colorit, a grey stallion with whom David won the World Cup show jumping competition in 's-Hertogenbosch in 2013. Although Colorit later moved to Christian Ahlmann, he remains an important part of David's career. 

Zinedream (*2014)

Sex: Stallion

Breeder: Gerd Küst, Pinneberg

Pedigree: Sire: Zinedine, dam: Panam Air (out of the Holsteiner line 8888) Dam's sire: Contender

Owner: Gestüt Bonhomme

Successes under David Will: since 19.09.2022

Zinedream, a Westphalian stallion, has already established himself as a top horse in international show jumping despite his young age of just ten years. With his current rider, David Will, Zinedream has achieved impressive successes, including a major victory at the CSIO5* in Abu Dhabi. They triumphed in a demanding competition with prize money of 308,600 euros. The pair beat off strong competition, including double world champion and World Cup winner Henrik von Eckermann from Sweden. Zinedream and Will remained clear in both rounds and delivered an impressively fast round in the jump-off in 44.68 seconds.

Zinedream comes from a top-class breeding line. His sire, Zinedine, has already made a name for himself in the sport, while his dam, Panam Air, continues a remarkable breeding line. Among others, Panam Air produced the sire Quiwi Dream (by Quidam de Revel) and the OS premium stallion Cooldream Air (by Colman). The stallion himself was acquired by Gestüt Bonhomme as the champion stallion of the OS licensing and is still owned by the latter.

In addition to the outstanding victory in Abu Dhabi, Zinedream has achieved numerous other victories and placings under David Will. The stallion is characterized by his speed, precision and excellent interaction with his rider. Zinedream's pedigree from the renowned Holsteiner line 8888 and his remarkable performance in international sport underline his importance and potential for future success.

C Four (*2008)

Sex: Gelding
Breeder: W. Wolters
Pedigree: Sire: Cardento, Dam's sire: Concorde
Owner: Suave Pony LLC
Successes under David Will: From 2020 to 2022

C Vier, a talented Holsteiner gelding, has established himself as one of the most successful show jumpers under the saddle of David Will. His remarkable abilities and impressive track record have made him one of the most valuable horses in international show jumping.

David Will reached some of his most significant career milestones with C Four. The pair were part of the German team that won the silver medal at the 2021 European Championships. They finished seventh in the individual classification. Equally impressive was their sixth place in the World Cup Final in Leipzig, making them the best German pair in this competition. These successes underline the exceptional partnership between David Will and C Vier.

Under David Will, C Vier and he were part of victorious German teams at the Nations Cups in Vejer de la Frontera and Vilamoura at the end of 2020. Their strong performance put them on the longlist for the Olympic Games and ultimately in the team for the European Championships in Riesenbeck.

C Vier was sold in April 2022, which was a great loss for David Will and German show jumping. National coach Otto Becker described the pair as a permanent fixture in the Olympic squad and regretted the loss with regard to future championships. Nevertheless, he expressed his gratitude to the owner Janine Rijkens for making the horse available for the 2021 European Championships and thus giving David Will the opportunity to win a medal at his first championships.

David Will expressed his gratitude on Instagram to the Rijkens family for giving him the chance to ride C Vier and celebrate so many successes together. He also thanked his team, who had made great efforts and put in many extra hours to provide C Vier with the best possible care. David Will wished C Vier and his new rider all the best for the future.

Darius de Kezeg Z (*2011)

Sex: gelding
Pedigree: Sire: Darco, dam's sire: Heartbreaker
Owner: Kevin Murphy and Andrea Sigrist (until August 2020)
Successes under David Will: From 2019 to August 2020

Darius de Kezeg Z, a talented gelding, began his career under Christoph Könemann and has changed rider several times since then. Under David Will, Darius de Kezeg Z was able to establish himself in the big international courses and showed remarkable performances. One of the pair's most significant successes was their victory in the qualifier for the Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi. This success marked an important milestone in their career together.

Spring Dark (*2006)

Sex: Mare
Pedigree: Sire: Jazz Band Courcelle, dam's sire: Palestro II
Owner: Kevin Murphy and Andrea Sigrist (until August 2020)
Successes under David Will: From January 2019 to August 2020

Spring Dark, a Selle Français mare, has brought David Will many important victories since January 2019. Among their numerous successes, the victory in the Grand Prix of Redefin stands out in particular. The pair also won a show jumping competition at the CSI5* Villach, the CSI4* in Munich and the World Cup show jumping competition in Al Ain. These successes testify to Spring Dark's consistent performance and outstanding talent.

Caramba (*2011)

Sex: gelding
Pedigree: Sire: Comme il faut, dam sire: Baloubet du Rouet
Owner: Kevin Murphy and Andrea Sigrist (until August 2020)
Successes under David Will: From the beginning of 2020 until August 2020

Caramba, a nine-year-old Westphalian, was purchased at the beginning of 2020 by Richard Vogel to David Will at the beginning of 2020. Despite their short time together, they have already achieved impressive successes. At the beginning of the year, they were victorious in Oliva and Sharjah, underlining the quality and potential of this horse. Caramba's ability to adapt quickly to new riders and perform at the highest level made him a valuable member of David Will's stable.

On August 12, 2020, David Will announced that he would have to do without Darius de Kezeg Z, Spring Dark and Caramba in the future, as these horses would compete under Irish show jumper Denis Lynch. In his message of thanks, Will expressed his gratitude to Kevin Murphy and Andrea Sigrist, who had entrusted him with these exceptional horses, as well as to the horses themselves for the great moments and successes they had been able to experience together.

Mic Mac du Tillard (*2000)

Sex: Mare
Pedigree: Sire: Cruising, dam's sire: Galoubet A
Owner & breeder: Bernadette Lejeune
Successes under David Will: From November 2013 to June 2017

In November 2013, David Will took over the talented mare Mic Mac du Tillard after Swedish show jumper Angelica Augustsson left Dietmar Gugler's stable. Will, a student of Gugler, was chosen as the new rider for the thirteen-year-old mare to continue her successful career. At the beginning of 2014, David Will traveled to Florida with Mic Mac du Tillard to take part in the Winter Festival.

Mic Mac du Tillard had already celebrated significant successes under Angelica Augustsson. Expectations were high that Will could continue this success story. Augustsson and Mic Mac du Tillard had established themselves as a strong pair, which made the handover to Will an exciting new challenge.

On June 2, 2017, the now 17-year-old mare was officially retired. The farewell tour began in Mexico and led via Miami, Shanghai and Madrid to the Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) in Paris, where she was bid farewell in front of an audience. Despite her temperament and combative spirit, which sometimes made her difficult to handle, she remained competitive at the highest level until the end.

David Will paid tribute to the mare on her departure and emphasized her exceptional performance and tireless commitment. Although she could have competed at the highest level for another two years, the decision was made to transfer her to breeding. Mic Mac du Tillard moved back to Normandy, where she was born, and will start a new chapter in her life there.

Mic Mac du Tillard will be remembered as one of the most outstanding horses in David Will's career. Her determination and talent have made her a legend in show jumping. David Will and the whole team wish her all the best for her future as a broodmare in France.

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The show jumper told us what other horses shaped David Will's life when we visited him:

David Will's greatest successes

David Will has achieved many remarkable successes in the course of his career. He has already collected a total of 94 victories in various international competitions. At the 2021 European Championships in Riesenbeck, he won the silver medal in the team competition with the horse C-Four and came 7th in the individual competition. He also shone at the German Championships: in 2012 he finished 12th in Balve and 8th in 2013, both with Colorit. These successes reflect his consistent performance and commitment to equestrian sport. Another highlight was winning the World Cup show jumping competition in 's-Hertogenbosch in 2013 with Colorit, an event that David describes as one of the best moments of his sporting career.

Successes 2024

• Victory at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with Kansall
• Victory at the CSI5* - against the clock, Hamburg with Zaccorado Blue
• Victory at the CSI5* Championships of Hamburg Hamburg - with My Prins van Dorperheide

Greatest successes from the years 2012-2023

2023: Victory in the 4* 2-phase show jumping competition in Abu Dhabi with Zinedream, victory in the 3* Grand Prix in Riyadh with Zaccorado Blue, victory in the Global Champions Tour Grand Prix in Mexico
2022: Victory in the 3* Grand Prix in Riyadh with My Prins van Dorperheide, victory with Zaccorado Blue and 2nd place with Horatio in Riyadh. place with Horatio in Riyadh, two victories at the season opener in Samorin, victory at the CSIO3* show jumping competition in Budapest, victory at the World Cup Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi, victory at the 4* show jumping competition in Abu Dhabi at the start of the year
2021: Two victories at the World Cup tournament in Al Ain, victory at the Riesenbeck Grand Prix, victory at the Samorin Grand Prix, victory at the Rolex Grand Prix in Rome
2020: 1st place at the 4* show jumping competition in Hubside. 1st place in the 4* show jumping competition at Hubside Jumping Grimaud, victory in the 5* qualifier for the Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi Victory in the 3* time trial Al Shira'aa Arabians Speed Class
2019: Victory in the Longines BHS King George V Gold Cup
2017: Victory at the World Cup Jumping in Abu Dhabi
2016: Victory at the Championships in Kiel
2015: Victory at the Winning Round in Aachen
2014: Victory at the Championships in Nörten-Hardenberg
2013: Victory at the World Cup Jumping in s'-Hertogenbosch
2012: Victory in Munich

Conclusion

David Will has established himself as an outstanding show jumper and impresses with his continuous successes in international equestrian sport. His career, characterized by intensive training and valuable experience in renowned stables, laid the foundation for his impressive career. The step into self-employment at Hofgut Dagobertshausen marked a significant milestone and expanded his role from rider to entrepreneur.

His partnerships with various top horses such as Mic Mac du Tillard, Colorit and Zinedream have helped him to numerous victories and awards, including winning the World Cup Jumping in 's-Hertogenbosch and the silver medal at the 2021 European Championships. These successes underline not only his talent and dedication, but also the quality of the horses he works with.

David Will's ability to adapt to new horses and perform with them at the highest level demonstrates his versatility and deep understanding of show jumping. Despite changes and challenges, he remains a constant force in international competition, which is further confirmed by his recent victories in 2024.

Overall, David Will's career reflects not only sporting success, but also an impressive journey full of passion, hard work and constant development. His story inspires and sets high standards for future generations in show jumping.