Will Coleman
Born: May 8, 1983
Hometown: Gordonsville, Virginia
Will Coleman and Twizzel (Mike McNally)
Will Coleman grew up in the heart of Virginia horse country. Encouraged by his parents, he showed great skill and determination at an early age. With his first pony, Dutch, Coleman began his career in the hunt field.
Coleman’s first major success in eventing came in 2001 when he won the North American Young Rider Championships with Ratzi, a horse his father found in Germany. In 2002, Coleman was 8th in the CCI3* at Fair Hill with Second Hope.
In 2003, Coleman made a name for himself on the international scene with Fox In Flight. In the spring, the pair won the Under-25 Championship at Bramham in England, one of few Americans to do so. In the fall of 2003, Coleman’s English success continued when he completed his first four-star at Burghley with Fox In Flight.
Coleman turned his focus to school and graduated from the University of Virginia in 2006 with a degree in History. Despite being a full-time student, he was able to continue his success at the upper levels. In 2004, he was the USEA Young Rider of the Year. With Second Hope, Coleman was the second-highest placed American at Luhmuhlen CCI4* finishing in 16th place in 2005.
In 2008, riding Twizzel, Coleman enjoyed one of his most successful years. The pair was third at Millbrook Horse Trials and third at the American Eventing Championships. In the fall, Coleman kicked it up a notch winning the CIC3* at Plantation Field and placing third in the CCI3* at Fair Hill International with Twizzel.
2009 was another good year for Coleman and Twizzel. The pair placed seventh in the CIC3* at Jersey Fresh before heading to Germany for Twizzel’s first attempt at the four-star level. At Luhmuhlen, Twizzel finished fifth galloping easily around the demanding track.
2010 saw Coleman in the winner's circle again at the CCI3* level, this time with Nevada Bay at Bromont. The pair went on to complete the CCI3* at Blenheim in September.
In 2011, Coleman saw continued success with his string of horses. With Twizzel, he finished seventh in the Barbury Castle CIC3*. Coleman finished out the year by placing fourth with Twizzel at the Fair Hill International CCI3*.
He began 2012 by finishing fifth with Twizzel at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Bridgestone CCI4*. At the Bromont International in Canada, Coleman and Zipp finished third in the CCI2*. Later that summer, Twizzel and Coleman represented the United States at the 2012 London Olympic Games.
Coleman trains and runs a successful business out of his parent’s Tivoli Farm in Gordonsville, VA. He enjoys riding jumpers and often can be seen successfully taking his event horses in the jumper ring.