Matthias Alexander Rath and Totilas made yet another successful comeback for Germany, winning the Hagen CDI**** today, July 10, with a score of 80.36 percent.
After two years away from the top levels of the sport, Totilas and Rath had a successful showing at Aachen (Germany) last year in a much-hailed comeback, with a bid for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in mind. They were slated to represent Germany at the WEG, but withdrew at the last minute due to an aggravated old injury. Totilas wasn’t seen competing again in 2014.
Injuries and his breeding schedule kept the Dutch Warmblood stallion (Gribaldi—Lominka, Glendale) out of the show ring, and though it was rumored that he would return to competition earlier this spring, Hagen was the 15-year-old stallion’s first competition in 2015. It was worth the wait for him and Rath; they topped the class above second-placed Anabel Balkenhol and Dablino FRH (76.34%).
“We know that we need to work on the finer points, but I’m very happy,” the 31-year-old Rath said.
The German national coach Monica Theodorescu was visibly pleased: “Totilas looks very good and is in physically good shape.” On Sunday the two show again in the Grand Prix Special.
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Rath and Totilas have been in training at Sjef Janssen’s base in the Netherlands. They started the year with the goal of qualifying for the European Championships in Aachen, Germany, this August—and possibly for the 2016 Olympic Games. German riders were required to show at the mandated selection trials—the German Championships in June and the Hagen CDI. Rath and Totilas failed to compete in the German Championships in Balve last month, but were given a bye from the German Olympic Equestrian Committee and are still considered favorites for a European Championship team spot.
The CDIO Hagen is the last selection trial for the team that will represent Germany at the European Championships.
The U.S. was represented in Hagen as well. Charlotte Jorst and Adventure scored a 69.50 percent in the Prix St. Georges to finish in eighth, while Jorst and Nintendo were 17th with a score of 70.84 percent in the Grand Prix CDIO*****. Arlene “Tuny” Page and Woodstock scored a 69.70 percent to finish in 16th behind Jorst in that same class, while Shelly Francis and Doktor’s score of 69.46 percent left them in 19th, and Kathleen Raine and Breanna earned a 66.32 percent. Overall, the U.S. placed seventh in the Nations Cup competition that took place yesterday.
Francis was also 11th (70.30%) on Danilo in the CDI**** Grand Prix today.
See the full results at the Hagen website.
