David Will: Successes, Horses and Partnerships

David Will’s Career Path

David Will, born on March 21, 1988, comes from a horse-loving family and was introduced to equestrian sport from an early age. After leaving school, he completed training as a professional groom and worked for many years as a rider in Dietmar Gugler’s stable in Pfungstadt. During this time, he was also part of the German Olympic Equestrian Committee’s (DOKR) перспективgruppe for show jumping. He achieved his international breakthrough as a show jumper in March 2013, when he won the World Cup jumping competition in ’s-Hertogenbosch in the Netherlands with Colorit. This was one of the finest moments of his sporting career. In addition to his time as a rider, David also spent a year at the Bundeswehr sports school in Warendorf before returning to Pfungstadt in 2007.

Self-Employment in Dagobertshausen

In 2019, David Will became self-employed at Hofgut Dagobertshausen near Marburg, where he runs a competition and training stable together with show jumper Richard Vogel. Moving into self-employment was a major step in his career, involving not only the training and development of horses, but also the full organization and management of the business. This broad responsibility has significantly expanded David Will’s perspective on equestrian sport and on his role as both a rider and an entrepreneur. To find out how self-employment with Richard Vogel and Sophie Hinners works in Dagobertshausen and what goals the team has for the future, we visited David Will, Richard Vogel and Sophie Hinners in Dagobertshausen and asked them ourselves:

David Will’s Successful Horses

Over the course of his career, David Will has worked with many remarkable horses. One horse that deserves special mention is Mic Mac du Tillard, a Selle Français mare with whom David celebrated numerous successes. “Mici,” as she is affectionately called, holds 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 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 (from Holsteiner line 8888)
Damsire: Contender
Owner: Gestüt Bonhomme
Successes under David Will: Since September 19, 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. Together with his current rider, David Will, Zinedream has achieved impressive successes, including the major victory at the CSIO5* in Abu Dhabi. They triumphed in a demanding competition with prize money of €308,600. The pair prevailed against strong competition, including Sweden’s double world champion and World Cup winner Henrik von Eckermann. Zinedream and Will remained faultless in both rounds and delivered an impressively fast jump-off round in 44.68 seconds.

Zinedream comes from a highly distinguished bloodline. His sire, Zinedine, had already made a name for himself in sport, while his dam, Panam Air, continues an outstanding breeding line. Panam Air also produced the sire Quiwi Dream (by Quidam de Revel) and the OS premium stallion Cooldream Air (by Colman). Zinedream himself was acquired by Gestüt Bonhomme as the champion stallion of the OS licensing and remains in their ownership.

In addition to his outstanding victory in Abu Dhabi, Zinedream has achieved numerous further wins and placings under David Will. The stallion stands out for his speed, precision, and the excellent partnership with his rider. Zinedream’s pedigree from the renowned Holsteiner line 8888 and his remarkable performances in international sport underline his significance and potential for future success.

C Vier (*2008)

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

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

With C Vier, David Will achieved some of the most important milestones of his career. The pair was part of the German team that won the silver medal at the 2021 European Championships. In the individual classification, they finished seventh. Equally impressive was their sixth place at the World Cup Final in Leipzig, making them the best German pair in that competition. These results highlight the exceptional partnership between David Will and C Vier.

Under David Will, C Vier was also part of the winning German Nations Cup teams in Vejer de la Frontera and Vilamoura at the end of 2020. Their strong performances earned them a place on the longlist for the Olympic Games and eventually a spot on the team for the European Championships in Riesenbeck.

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

David Will also expressed great 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 put in tremendous effort and many extra hours to care for C Vier in the best possible way. 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, Damsire: Heartbreaker
Owners: 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 subsequently changed riders several times. Under David Will, Darius de Kezeg Z established himself on the major international show jumping circuit and delivered remarkable performances. One of the pair’s most important successes was their victory in the qualifier for the Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi. This achievement marked an important milestone in their career together.

Spring Dark (*2006)

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

Spring Dark, a Selle Français mare, brought David Will many important victories from January 2019 onward. Among her numerous successes, the win in the Grand Prix of Redefin stands out in particular. The pair also won a supporting class at CSI5* Villach, at CSI4* Munich, and in the World Cup class at Al Ain. These achievements reflect Spring Dark’s consistent performance and outstanding talent.

Caramba (*2011)

Sex: Gelding
Pedigree: Sire: Comme il faut, Damsire: Baloubet du Rouet
Owners: Kevin Murphy and Andrea Sigrist (until August 2020)
Successes under David Will: From early 2020 to August 2020

Caramba, a nine-year-old Westphalian gelding, was passed on from Richard Vogel to David Will at the beginning of 2020. Despite their short time together, the pair already achieved impressive success. Early in the year, they recorded wins 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 no longer be able to rely on Darius de Kezeg Z, Spring Dark, and Caramba, as these horses would in future compete under Irish show jumper Denis Lynch. In his message of thanks, Will expressed his gratitude to Kevin Murphy and Andrea Sigrist for entrusting him with these exceptional horses, as well as to the horses themselves for the great moments and successes they had shared together.

Mic Mac du Tillard (*2000)

Sex: Mare
Pedigree: Sire: Cruising, Damsire: 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 in order to continue her successful career. At the beginning of 2014, David Will traveled with Mic Mac du Tillard to Florida to compete at the Winter Festival.

Under Angelica Augustsson, Mic Mac du Tillard had already achieved major success. Expectations were high that Will would be able to continue this success story. Augustsson and Mic Mac du Tillard had established themselves as a strong partnership, making the handover to Will an exciting new challenge.

On June 2, 2017, the mare, then 17 years old, was officially retired from sport. Her farewell tour began in Mexico and continued through Miami, Shanghai, and Madrid before ending at the Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) in Paris, where she was bid farewell in front of an audience. Despite her temperament and fighting spirit, which sometimes made her difficult to handle, she remained competitive at the highest level until the very end.

David Will paid tribute to the mare at her retirement and emphasized her extraordinary ability and tireless commitment. Although she could likely have remained competitive at the top level for another two years, the decision was made to move her into breeding. Mic Mac du Tillard returned to Normandy, where she was born, and began a new chapter of her life there.

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

David Will told us about the other horses that shaped his life when we visited him:

David Will’s Greatest Successes

David Will has achieved many remarkable successes over the course of his career. In total, he has already recorded 94 victories in a wide range of international competitions. At the 2021 European Championships in Riesenbeck, he won the team silver medal with C-Vier and finished 7th individually. He also impressed at the German Championships: in 2012 he placed 12th in Balve and in 2013 he finished 8th, both times with Colorit. Another career highlight was his victory in the World Cup class in ’s-Hertogenbosch in 2013 with Colorit, which David describes as one of the finest moments of his sporting career.

Successes in 2026

‍2nd place in the CSI5* Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi with Xixo Borgia
Victory with the German team in the Nations Cup in Sharjah with Xixo Borgia

Successes in 2025

‍Victory in a CSI5* 1.50m class in Abu Dhabi with Zinedream
Victory in a CSI4* 1.45m class in Hohen Wieschendorf with Xixo Borgia

Successes in 2024

‍Victory in the Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi with Kansall
Victory in the CSI5* against-the-clock class in Hamburg with Zaccorado Blue
Victory in the CSI5* Championship of Hamburg with My Prins van Dorperheide

Greatest successes from 2012–2023

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

Conclusion

David Will has established himself as an outstanding show jumper and continues to impress with his consistent success in international equestrian sport. His career path, shaped 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 an important milestone and expanded his role from rider to entrepreneur.

His partnerships with top horses such as Mic Mac du Tillard, Colorit, and Zinedream have brought him numerous victories and distinctions, including winning the World Cup class in ’s-Hertogenbosch and the silver medal at the 2021 European Championships. These achievements 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 shows his versatility and deep understanding of show jumping. Despite changes and challenges, he remains a constant force in international competition, as further confirmed by his recent victories in 2024.

Overall, David Will’s career reflects not only sporting success, but also an impressive journey marked by passion, hard work, and continuous development. His story is inspiring and sets high standards for future generations in show jumping.