The German Dressage Team for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games now won’t include superstar stallion Totilas, ridden by Matthias Rath. According to a press release from the German equestrian federation, Totilas was withdrawn due to a painful reaction to an already-existing bone spur that showed up during team training.
“After consultation with the leadership team, the vet team and the rider decided not to, for the sake of the horse, participate in the World Equestrian Games,” stated the press release.
Totilas competed at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games with the Netherlands’ Edward Gal aboard, winning three gold medals. He was then sold shortly after those Games to Germany’s Paul Schochemohle and Ann-Katrin Linsenhof to stand at stud and compete under Rath.
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The now-14-year-old Dutch Warmblood (Gribaldi—Lominka, Glendale) stallion has battled various injuries and only made his official comeback earlier this year. With Rath, Totilas topped the Aachen CHIO***** Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special (Germany) before he was withdrawn from the freestyle there.
Fabienne Lutkemeier and D’Agostino are now the fourth pair for the German team.
