Totilas to Miss Olympics

By Abby Gibbon on

Photo of Totilas, pictured with former rider Edward Gal of The Netherlands, via Wikimedia Commons.

Eurodressage reports that Totilas, current world record holder in Grand Prix Freestyle dressage, will miss the London Games. His rider, Matthias Rath, 27, is suffering from mononucleosis and not expected to recover in time.

According to Eurodressage:

Normally the German dressage selection committee would travel to Kronberg on Friday 6 July for a final assessment of Rath and Totilas, before the definite nomination of the German Olympic Team could be made, but this trip has been cancelled.

‘It was my big dream to compete for Germany with this unique horse and this fun, young team at the Olympic Games,’ said a very disappointed Rath. ‘It would be unresponsible  towards my own health and towards my team colleagues to be nominated in this condition.’

Read the whole story at eurodressage.com.

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  • DQ

    Can you imagine what Edward Gal is thinking right now? Aaaaargh!!!!!!

  • LH

    No offense, but I'm not quite sure I believe it. I mean yeah he's probably sick, but it's also a very nice excuse for not being nominated, or not doing well. I mean, we've seen very little of Totilas since he was sold, and what we haven't seen hasn't been that impressive. Matthias Rath is probably a great rider, but to me it doesn't seem like he's suited for Totilas..

  • sally

    Wow. Missing the Olympics because of a teenager's kissing disease. That has to hurt.

  • http://www.facebook.com/sage.crandall Sage Crandall

    What a shame that this fantastic horse has to miss the Olympics this year.

  • beth

    what a shame that this fantastic horse didn't stay with Gal to reach his continued and absolute potential!!!

  • CB

    You see this all the time...great horse, great rider they just don't work together. I think this is an excuse not to go to the Olympics so no one sees their incompatability.

  • crit

    What a shame. I know that I do NOT know the ins and outs and reasons for the sale (at least I hope not), but after awing audiences at the WEG, it is SUCH a shame that he will not be at the Olympics... with his WEG partner.