Internet Explodes with News of Totilas' Retirement

After competing at the 2015 European Dressage Championships in Aachen, and helping the German team to a bronze medal, owners Paul Schockemöhle and the Linsenhof/Rath family released a statement today to say that Totilas will now retire from competition. This is hot on the heels of news that the famous black stallion was diagnosed with a bone edema after withdrawing  before the individual Grand Prix Special.

The statement, reported by Horse and Hound said: 

“After the past week and the now circulating speculations about Totilas’ future, we — as a family — would like to take a stand on this matter. How much the international dressage sport owes to this horse is almost impossible to put into words. Never before has a dressage horse moved and thrilled these masses — no matter if horse-enthusiast or not, young or old. 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. As a result we collectively came to the decision, Totilas will not come back into competitive sport in the future. 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.”

 Many fans and critics have been using social media to voice both their support and sadness to the end of a career which saw Totilas become the first horse to break into 90% .