Text © World of Showjumping

Germany’s David Will and Zaccorado Blue (VDL Zirocco Blue x Acorado) won Thursday afternoon’s CSIO5* 1.50m STAWAG Prize at CHIO Aachen. As first to go in the ring at Soers, Will and Zaccorado Blue stopped the clock at 59.72 seconds – a time none of the other 36 horse-and-rider-combinations could match. 

“I did one stride less from two to three,” Will told World of Showjumping after his victory, detailing where he thought the winning difference was made. “Normally, it was five strides there but since it was with a very long approach, and Zaccorado has a very big stride, I thought I could do four there. However, it was not as easy as I thought,” Will laughed. “I had to convince him a little bit, he was thinking it was a little bit long.” 

“I have had him for quite a while now,” Will said about the 10-year-old gelding. “He is from the same owner as Colorit was, that is where the connection comes from. He has been getting better and better all the time and is really developing into a five-star horse now. I think he has a good future.” 

Will’s compatriot Hans-Dieter Dreher and Vestmalle des Cotis (Baloubet du Rouet x Landor S) took the runner-up position after clocking a time of 60.88, while Roberto Teran Tafur (COL) and BP Wakita (Pacino x Cruising) placed third in 62.22, Olivier Perreau (FRA) and O. Ziezo DB (Zilverstar T x Lord Z) fourth in 62.52 and Shane Sweetnam (IRL) fifth in 63.37 aboard Out Of The Blue SCF (Verdi TN x Cassini I).

Earlier during the day, Will also topped the Sparkassen-Youngster-Cup with the 7-year-old Dax 68 (Dinken x San Patrigano Cassini) ahead of Megane Moissonier (FRA) and Safira S Gold (Stakkato Gold x Comme Il Faut) in second and Kim Emmen in third aboard Kandiama DMH (Andiamo Z x Lancer II).