Totilas, a surprise and last-minute entry with Germany’s Matthias Rath at this week’s Kapellen CDI*** in Belgium, topped the Grand Prix on 78.68 percent after two years out of the show ring.

Despite a first halt that wasn’t square, some losses of rhythm and a mistake in the one tempis, Rath and Totilas’ score easily topped the class over Sweden’s Jennie Larsson on Zircoon Spring Flower (70.76%). The stallion displayed the extravagant extended trot and metronomic passage that initially made him famous with the Netherlands’ Edward Gal. His extended walk showed great relaxation and reach. 

Judge Geert Lemmens awarded the horse the lowest score of the panel, a 73.70 percent, while Irina McNamee scored him an 82.90 percent as the highest mark. Rath, 29, also topped today’s Prix St. Georges aboard Bretton Woods. See the full scores on the Kapellen website. 

Rath and Totilas, a 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood (Gribaldi—Lominka, Glendale) owned by Ann-Katrin Linsenhof and Paul Schockemohle, last contested a CDI during the 2012 Hagen CDI**** (Germany), winning the Grand Prix (83.09%) and Grand Prix freestyle (88.02%). They also competed at the 2012 German Dressage Championships in June that year. 

A series of injuries has kept Totilas away from the spotlight for the last two years, and Great Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro have since bested all three of the world record scores he earned when the Netherlands’ Edward Gal had the ride on the stallion. 

Rath, who wore a helmet for today’s performance, hasn’t yet commented on future competitions for the horse. The pair will do the Grand Prix Special Saturday in Belgium. 

Watch the video that Dutch publication Hoefslag took of Totilas’ Grand Prix:

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