A statement release (18 August) on Totilas’s Facebook page confirms Totilas retirement, after the successful black dressage stallion showed some irregular steps during his team Grand Prix test at the FEI European Championships in Aachen last weekend:
Statement:
“As already known from various sources, 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. Resulting form this new injury we collectively came to the decision against the active sport. Totilas will not come back into the competitive dressage sport in the future.
“His injury is going to heal on his home yard Schafhof, given all the time it needs. This will also give him a gentle transition into his athletic retirement. 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.”
Totilas will probably be put to stud duties at Paul Schockemöhle’s stud in future.
Totilas and his career
Totilas burst on to the Grand Prix scene in 2009 with his former rider, the Netherlands’ Edward Gal. The pair went on to smash records in dressage, winning team and individual gold at the Europeans in 2009 and the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Kentucky. They were the first pairing in the history of the sport to break the 90% barrier.
The horse was sold to breeder Paul Schockemöhle and Ann-Kathrin Linsenhoff in Germany in October 2010. With his new rider Matthias Rath, Totilas never achieved the same levels of success, and Totilas has since then been plagued by illness and injury.
However, Totilas put dressage on the map, and will be remembered as one of the most successful horses of all time.
