Totilas being steered by Matthias Alexander Rather out of a competition arena a final time, at the European Championships in Aachen, Germany. © 2015 Ken Braddick/dressage-news.com
By KENNETH J. BRADDICK
Totilas will not return to the competition arena, the owners confirmed Tuesday in a decision to retire the black KWPN stallion that was a surprise to no one after the 15-year-old son of Gribaldi was pulled out of the European Championships last week.
The retirement announcement came after Paul Schockemöhle and Ann-Katrin Linsenhoff, a wealthy heiress and stepmother of Matthias Alexander Rath, discussed the latest ailment for Totilas that led to the horse being pulled out of the Europeans after a Nations Cup Grand Prix in which the horse was irregular.
The legacy of Totilas when competed by Edward Gal from 2008 to 2010 and then by Matthias since then is assured by world records, incredible charisma that broke the mold by capturing adoring fans outside the world of dressage and the center of attention even when not performing at his peak. (See a dressage-news.com photo essay of the highlights of Totilas competition career from 2008 through 2015 — http://www.dressage-news.com/?p=32367).
Paul Schockemöhle after consultation with co-owners Ann-Katrin and Matthias and his father, Klaus Martin Rath, issued a statement confirming the retirement from sport.
“After the past week and the now circulating speculations about Totilas’ future, we—as a family—would like to take a stand on this matter,” the statement said.
“How much the international dressage sport owes to this horse is almost impossible to put into words. Never before has a dressage horse moved and thrilled these masses—no matter if horse enthusiast or not, young or old.
“The examination last weekend showed that Totilas has an edema in the bone. This is being treated in the best possible way by a superb team of veterinarians.
“As a result we collectively came to the decision Totilas will not come back into competitive sport in the future.”
The statement said Totilas would return home to recover, in “all the time” that the injury needs.
“We really hope for the understanding of all those people, that are moved by this horse as much as we are. Also we would like to take the opportunity to thank all the admirers and fans for their support during all this time.”
He is expected to continue to be available for breeding.
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