WILL COLEMAN BIOGRAPHY

William Coleman III was born in Charlottesville on 5th August 1983. From the very beginning he was destined to make his career in the saddle. Encouraged by his parents and siblings he showed immense talent from an early age, and fell in love with Fox Hunting and Jumping on board his first proper pony ‘Dutch’.

His first affiliated competition was at a Local Hunt Club Horse Show, and since those early days he has lived by the adage passed down from his Father “Under Promise and Over Deliver!”

Will Coleman is softly spoken, considered and relaxed. All qualities that his horses react well too. He moves around the barn with a warm gentle ease that in turn relaxes the horses and leads them to believe that he is their safe harbour.

In the saddle he is a perfectionist and he has no harsher critic than himself. He considers no round to be perfect, and he always finds room for improvement. It is this relentless quest that sets him apart, coupled with his talent, and modesty. He is also an extremely approachable and self effacing young man, for whom nothing is ever too much bother.

Will puts himself in the position where he is always pleasantly surprised and never disappointed. He never has expectations and always purely rides to give his horses the best chances he possibly can. It is the belief that he inspires in his horses that enables them to perform so well. Better than perhaps they should. The horses reward his belief in them. To the extent that some of them outperform what can be perceived as their natural abilities.

Watching Will ride and meeting his horses is an education to anyone, and an example of what the sport is about, and the harmony that can be achieved. The horses work happily, and offer up their best work. There are no demands and no unreasonable questions, the horses always feel confident in their own abilities, no matter what their temperament.

This mental attitude has impressed world renowned Trainers and Owners and will lead Will to the top of his chosen tree. At the age of twenty five he has trained with Karen and David O’Connor, Betsy Steiner, Anne Kursinski, Aaron Vale and the legendary George Morris. Will did his first Clinic with Karen and David O’Connor at the age of 12, and has continued to train within their system ever since. David now says that “We are riding with Will now as much as anything”.

George Morris commented in his regular column in The Chronicle of the Horse “For an example of a balanced and secure jumping seat look to Will Coleman on board Kiki du Manoir at Radnor CCI**” The inimitable George Morris is the most demanding, respected critic and traditional horseman, and has shaped Equestrianism in the USA.

2008 sees Will with a barn of promising and patiently produced horses from youngsters through to horses with their CCI**** qualifications. Will is as talented at producing event horses as conjuring wonderful performances and results with catch rides. He travels regularly to Europe to purely show jump with leading producers, and to broaden his experience and horizons. He understands the differences required when riding Warmbloods as opposed to Thoroughbreds. He is a true Horseman.

Will’s ascent to prominence as an event rider began in earnest in 2001 aboard Ratzi, a horse his Father found in Germany. With Ratzi Will won the NAYRC Championships in 2001, and the pair went on to enjoy several more Three Day Events before aiming for Kentucky Rolex CCI**** 2003. Sadly Ratzi sustained an injury and had to be rested for six months. At approximately the same time Second Hope also sustained an injury and he too had to be rested. This sent Will on the path that led him to seasoned campaigner Fox In Flight.

Fox In Flight and Will formed a successful partnership almost immediately and on their fourth outing together won the prestigious Bramham (UK) International CCI*** Under 25 section. This win brought Will attention on the worldwide stage, and his experiences in the UK left him eager to learn more, and inspired him to greater heights of ambition. As he said at the time “It was a real treat for me to see William Fox-Pitt and Pippa Funnell (Winner of the Rolex Grand Slam) ride.”

Click the USEA Logo above to view Will's "United States Eventing Association" Results.

ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE

2008 Southern Pines Horse Trials Intermediate - 3rd on Nevada Bay
2008 The Fork Horse Trials Intermediate - 2nd on Nevada Bay
2008 The Fork Horse Trials CICW*** - 7th on Twizzel
2008 Jersey Fresh CCI** - 4th on Twizzel
2008 Stuart Horse Trials CIC** - 4th on Twizzel
2008 Millbrook Horse Trials Advanced - 3rd on Twizzel
2008 Millbrook Horse Trails Intermediate - 2nd on Nevada Bay
2008 American Eventing Championship Advanced - 3rd on Twizzel
2008 American Eventing Championship Intermediate - 4th on Nevada Bay
2007 Adequan Gold Cup Series 1st – Kiki du Manoir
2007 The Fork Horse Trials Intermediate 1st – Kiki du Manoir
2007 Cosequin Stuart Horse Trials CIC** 1st – Kiki Du Manoir
2007 Headed USEA Rider Leaderboard 31st July
2007 Jersey Fresh CCI** 4th - Icarus
2006 USEF National CCI Championship – Kiki du Manoir
2006 Radnor CCI** - 3rd – Kiki du Manoir
2005 Luhmuhlen CCI**** - 16th on Second Hope, second highest placed American
2004 USEA Young Rider and Advanced Rider of the Year
2004Shortlisted for the Athens Olympics
2004 Rolex Kentucky CCI**** USA qualified Fox in Flight and Second Hope 19th
2003 Bramham International CCI *** Great Britain. 1st. Under 25 Section – Fox In Flight
2003 Chatsworth Advanced Division 2. 1st – Second Hope
2003 Chatsworth CIC *** Fox-in-Flight
2003 Burghley International CCI****. Great Britain – Fox in Flight
2002 8th Fair Hill CCI*** - Second Hope
2001 NAYRC Champion – Ratzi

Will’s career map is detailed and focused. One of his aims is to be shortlisted for every Olympic games for as long as he rides. Potentially this could be at least eight times. Remember, this is from a young man whose adage is:

 ‘Under Promise and Over Deliver’!