News of Totilas’ death yesterday rocked the equestrian worlds as it signalled the end of an incredible 20 years for one of the most remarkable horses dressage has ever seen.

When Totilas and Edward Gal burst onto the world stage, they began a new era in dressage. It was an era that would see them hold three world records, win six medals at European and world level, and capture the hearts of the dressage world.

When Paul Schöckemohle bought Totilas in 2010 to compete for Germany, there was outrage. So powerful was Totilas’ magic that dressage fans everywhere saw the horse almost as their own, and were devastated to see the partnership between ‘Toto’ and Edward split up.

Totilas never quite returned to his former brilliance and was plagued by injuries in recent years, under new rider Matthias Rath. He went on to retire to stud. Following yesterday’s devastating news, we look back at some of his career highlights.

European Championships: Windsor, 2009

Totilas sets a new world record score of 90.75% in the grand prix freestyle to take the gold medal, having been beaten into silver in the special just minutes after setting a new record there, too.

The sell-out, 8,000 strong crowd were ecstatic to watch Toto and Edward beat their own previous record by over 1%, with a test including music from Pirates of the Carribean arranged by Joost Peeters.

Totilas’ fan club were out in full force — with the orange of the Dutch supporters always standing out in a crowd.

Edward celebrates victory with silver medallist Adelinde Cornelissen

Continued below…

Legends of the sport: Totilas — ‘one of the most beautiful things I ever saw’ *H&H Plus*

H&H interview: Edward Gal — ‘riding to Totilas’ music again gave me goosebumps’ *H&H Plus*

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Olympia, 2009

Another day, another world record, as Edward and Totilas post 92.3% to smash their previous record, with a mistake-free test that was 10% clear of nearest rival Adelinde with Parzival.

World Equestrian Games: Kentucky, 2010

Totilas and Edward scooped triple gold in front of 25,000 spectators at the huge Kentucky Horse Park, adding the freestyle medal to their special and team medals from earlier on the week.

Although the test was marred with some mistakes, they scored 85.70% with a total of 40 10s awarded across the seven judges. This would be their last test together, as Totilas was sold to Germany shortly after.

At home with Matthias Rath, 2011

Paul Schockemöhle sold shares in Totilas to Ann Kathrin Linsenhoff, Matthias step-mother, securing the ride for the then 27-year-old Matthias. Their first competition together was at München-Reim, where they won both the grand prix and the special on scores of +76 and + 79%. Below, they are seen at home prior to their competition debut.

European Championships: Rotterdam, 2011

In their only complete championship together, Toto and Matthias finished third in the grand prix (79.453%), fourth in the special (77.09%) and fifth in the freestyle with 81.696%.

European Championships: Aachen, 2015

In Totilas’ last test, he scored a disappointing 75.971% in the team grand prix to lie sixth, with many spectators concerned for his soundness. He was then withdrawn from the special and freestyle tests, and it was announced shortly after that the then 15-year-old superstar would be retired from any further competition.

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The legendary dressage horse Totilas has died, at the age of 20. His rider, Germany’s Matthias Rath, confirmed the news, saying: “We will miss you so much and never forget you.”

It is understood that the Gribaldi x Glendale son died on Monday, 14 December, after a severe attack of colic.

With his former rider, the Netherlands’ Edward Gal, Totilas set the dressage world alight. The pair made their international grand prix debut in June 2009, scoring 79.14%, and two months later, “Toto” became the first horse to break the 90% barrier, as he scored a euphoric individual gold at the European Championships at Windsor.

“Windsor was his first Europeans and his first big championship,” Edward said. “We had the castle lit up behind the arena and it was really magical.”

• Read H&H’s exclusive legends of the sport feature on Totilas’s career

Vanessa Ruiter, Edward’s groom, added: “Totilas looked for Edward the whole day, and Edward adored him. He really loved Edward. If he heard him, he’d prick his ears and look around for him. It was really special.”

The pair broke the world freestyle record at Olympia in 2009 with 92.3%, which was only bettered by Valegro four years later.

Totilas and Edward were crowned World Cup champions in March 2010, and later that same year they landed a trio of gold medals at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky – and another world record score, this time in the special. However, this was to be their final competition together.

Continues below…

Legends of the sport: Totilas — ‘one of the most beautiful things I ever saw’ *H&H Plus*

What made Totilas one of the world’s greatest dressage horses?

At the recent Global Dressage Forum held at the Bartels Academy in Holland (26-27 October), seven horses were put forward

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In October 2010, owners Kees and Tosca Visser of Moorlands Stables sold Totilas to Paul Schockemöhle, who retained breeding rights, while Ann-Kathrin Linsenhoff bought the riding rights for her stepson Matthias Rath.

Totilas and Matthias made a winning competition debut in 2011, but had to withdraw from contention for the London Olympics when Matthias became ill with glandular fever.

The horse’s final test was at the 2015 European Championships, where they were awarded a controversial 75.97% in the grand prix. The next day, Totilas was diagnosed with periostitis of the coronet band, and shortly afterwards, he was officially retired from sport.

Totilas spent his five-year retirement hacking out at the Rath/Linsenhoff base Gestüt Schafhof, near Frankfurt, as well as fulfilling his duties as a much-demanded sire. His final public appearence was at the 2019 KWPN stallion licensing.

Don’t miss the current issue of Horse & Hound for a full feature charting the life and career of Totilas, on sale now. 

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

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Totilas, the famous black stallion ridden at grand prix by Edward Gal and, latterly, Germany’s Matthias Rath has been retired from sport.

He competed at the FEI European Dressage Championships in Aachen, Germany last week (13 August) and helped the host nation claim team bronze.

However, after the test — in which many observers claimed he was unlevel — he was found to have a bone edema and was withdrawn before the individual grand prix special.

Today (Tuesday 18 August), Paul Schockemöhle, in consultation with co-owners the Linsenhof/Rath family, released a statement confirming the 15-year-old Dutch warmblood was to be retired.

“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,” it read.

“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.”

The statement continued that the horse would return home to recover, in “all the time” that the injury needs.

Providing it is possible, he is expected to continue to be available for breeding.

“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,” the statement concluded.

With former rider Edward Gal of the Netherlands, the jet black Gribaldi x Glendale stallion broke records in all three grand prix tests. He was also the first horse to break the 90% barrier.

Since being sold to Germany in 2010, to be ridden by Matthias, the new pairing have been dogged with problems. This included missing out on the London Olympics when Matthias contracted glandular fever and the 2014 World Equestrian Games due to horse injury.

They did hit form for a time, beating Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro twice at Aachen in July of last year, but cold never reproduce that form on the world stage.

In the individual rankings in the grand prix at the European Championships, the pair finished sixth with 75.91% – with individual judges’ scores varying between 71.6% and 80.1%.

For a full report on all the action from the FEI European Dressage Championships, see our bumper H&H magazine edition, out Thursday (20 August).

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With less than a month to go before the FEI European Dressage Championships in Aachen (11-16 August 2015), 30-year-old Matthias Rath talks about Totilas, pressure, the duel with Valegro and the birth of his son

Q. With less than a month to go before the Europeans, how are you feeling?

A. Matthias Rath: The anticipation is indescribable. On the one hand, it is super that Totilas and I are actually being able to compete at the European Championships, because we haven’t taken part in any championships over the past few years. Of course, a European Championships in one’s own country is always special, but the fact that it is also being staged in Aachen is simply fantastic. Especially since Totilas has won every grand prix that he has competed in so far in Aachen — it couldn’t be a better omen.

Q. The dressage riders will be competing in the main stadium, does that provide additional motivation?

A. In 2006, I experienced the World Championship dressage competitions in the main stadium as a spectator — it was tremendous. Being able to ride at the CHIO in the Deutsche Bank Stadium is already an exceptional experience. There is no comparable arena anywhere else in the world for us. Riding in the main stadium myself in this magnificent setting is going to be super.

Q. Could the setting put too much pressure on the horses and riders?

A. For Totilas it can’t be big enough. The bigger the setting, the bigger and more alert Totilas is. And up until now, I have always succeeded in focusing very well during the competition and don’t actually take in much of what happens outside of the dressage arena.

Q. So you are not frightened about the duel between the two dressage giants, Totilas and Valegro?

A. The omens aren’t too bad there either. Totilas succeeded in coming out on top at the hitherto only encounter between the two in 2014 in Aachen. But, of course, it will be incredibly difficult: Valegro and Charlotte Dujardin have won everything there is to win, and in the meantime have also managed to defend some of the titles. They are the crème de la crème. But Aachen proved that everything is possible a year ago. Kristina Bröring-Sprehe and Desperados are also in top-class form. It is going to be an exciting story.

Continued below…

Valegro v Totilas: who will come out on top? VIDEO

Compare videos of these two elite dressage horses competing at Hartpury and Hagen this weekend

Q. What is your schedule up until the FEI European Championships?

A. The next few days will be a little quieter, before continuing with and intensifying the training in good time, which will approximately be at the end of next week. Of course, we will do a few test rounds to improve our routine at competitions. But last year showed that we are able to call up top performances quickly without competing much.

Q. You have never been hectic, has the birth of your son made you even more laid-back?

A. Sure. When you come home in the evening, you know there is more than just sport, there are more important things to win and lose. However, one thing is also clear, when I am sitting in the saddle I am totally concentrated and want to win.

To see Totilas and Valegro in action at the European Championships, visit www.aachen2015.de for more information about tickets

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Matthias Rath and Totilas will spearhead the German team at the European dressage championships in Aachen (11-17 August).

The news was announced yesterday (Sunday, 12 July), ahead of the final grand prix freestyle at CDIO Hagen (8-12 July).

They are joined by Kristina Bröring-Sprehe on Desperados FRH, Jessica von Bredow-Werndl (Unee BB) and Isabell Werth, who will ride Don Johnson FRH after her mare Bella Rose was withdrawn from selection last week.

Klaus Roeser, head of the German dressage committee, said: “It was our intention to put an end to speculations and provide all riders the opportunity to completely concentrate on the task ahead.”

Anabel Balkenhol and Dablino FRH are the reserve.

Totilas made his comeback at Hagen CDI in Germany this weekend, winning both his tests with plus-80%.

The popular German dressage stallion, pictured at the 2011 European dressage championships in Rotterdam, was last seen out competing at Aachen’s CDIO5* show in July 2014, but has had time off due to injury.

Before Aachen, the combination enjoyed a run of eight consecutive wins in a row.

On Friday, (10 July) Matthias said he did not feel not nervous ahead of Totilas’ return to competition.

“However, I was nevertheless a bit surprised when I came around the corner with Totilas today to let him graze and saw all the photographers and visitors,” he said.

Matthias and the 15-year-old black stallion scored 80.36% to win the CDI4* grand prix and 80.039% in the CDI4* grand prix special.

Speaking after the grand prix special on Sunday (12 July), Matthias said: “Toto was willingly performing today, and particularly piaffe and passage were even better than in the grand prix.

“Unfortunately, we had some more severe, but unnecessary mistakes, for example the salute and the first pirouette.

“But now we have the time to work on it.”

Host Ullrich Kasselmann said they saw “extraordinary sport”.

He added even though this was the third big equestrian event within a couple of weeks, there was a huge audience who gave the riders fantastic support.

Read the full report in this week’s H&H, out Thursday, 16 July

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With Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro a shoe-in for the British Dressage team at the European Championships in Aachen next month and Matthias Alexander-Rath and Totilas now confirmed as members of the German squad, dressage fans are salivating at the chance to see these two outstanding equine stars going head-to-head once more.

Current form would suggest Valegro is set to come out on top. He holds the world records in all three tests while the partnership of Totilas and Matthias has been dogged with problems since the German took over the ride from Edward Gal. However when Valegro and Totilas met in Aachen last year ahead of the World Equestrian Games (WEG), it was the German pair who took the spoils. Sadly an splint injury ruled Totilas out of WEG so the championship head-to-head did not materialise.

Both partnerships were in action on home soil over the weekend with Valegro delighting the crowds at Hartpury while Totilas was the centre of attention on his return to competition in Hagen. They each won their grand prix classes with Valegro earning 85.44% while Totilas managed 80.36%.

See for yourself how their tests compared in the videos below.

Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro at Hartpury: 85.44%

Footage courtesy of Hartpury College

Matthias Alexander-Rath and Totilas at Hagen: 80.36%

Video courtesy of Horses and Dreams youtube channel

Current dressage world records

Grand prix: Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro 87.460%, Olympia CDI-W 16 December 14

(previous Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro, 87.129%%, Reem Acra FEI World Cup Finals, Lyon 19 April 2014)

Grand prix special: Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro 88.022%, Hagen CDI4*, Germany April 2012

(previous – Edward Gal and Totilas 85.708%, World Equestrian Games 2010 Kentucky USA)

Grand prix freestyle: Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro 94.30%, Olympia CDI-W 16 December 14

(previous – Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro 93.975%, Olympia CDI-W 2013 and Edward Gal and Totilas, 92.30%, Olympia CDI-W 2009)

About the European Dressage Championships

The European dressage championships are taking place in Aachen, Germany from 12-16 August. The grand prix class, which counts towards the team competition, takes place on 12-13 August, with the individual grand prix special on 15 August and the grand prix freestyle on 16 August. There are separate sets of individual medals for the special and the kur.

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Popular dressage star Totilas is to make a long-awaited return to competition next month.

The 15-year-old Dutch warmblood stallion is due to compete with Matthias Rath in Hagen (8-12 July).

The pair haven’t been seen since Aachen’s CDIO5* show last July, where they won the grand prix and the grand prix special.

Prior to that the combination had enjoyed a run of eight consecutive wins. However, the horse has been out with injury since Aachen.

There was much speculation on the return of Totilas, with initial rumours suggesting he’d compete in May.

However, a statement on the Rath’s website this week read: “After some rumours last week we are happy to announce that Matthias’ and Totilas’ entry for the competition in Hagen in July has been officially finalised.

“We are really looking forward to the event in the beautiful showgrounds at the Teutoburger Forest.”

Totilas also made a comeback last May, having spent two years off the competition scene through various horse injuries and rider illness.

They then racked up wins at Kappelen and Aachen, but Germany’s top hope for individual gold at the World Equestrian Games (WEG) last summer was withdrawn prior to the Games.

A statement released by the German equestrian federation at the time said that the partnership had been at a training camp at Peterhof stud when Totilas had a “pain reaction” to an existing splint injury.

“After consultation with the leadership team, the vet team and the rider decided that for the sake of the horse he should not participate,” the statement added.

The pair are now aiming at the European dressage championships at Aachen in August. Hagan is one of two German riders must compete in to be eligible for selection for the Europeans.

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Totilas — Germany’s top hope for individual gold at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) — has been withdrawn for health reasons.

The 14-year-old was due to compete next week (25-29 August) with rider Matthias Alexander Rath.

A statement released by the German equestrian federation said that the partnership had been at a training camp at Peterhof stud when Totilas had a “pain reaction” to an existing splint injury.

“After consultation with the leadership team, the vet team and the rider was decided that for the sake of the horse he should not participate,” the statement added.

Fabienne Lütkemeier and D’Agostino will take their place in the German dressage team.

Totilas was one of Charlotte Dujardin’s main rivals at WEG after he won two classes in impressive style at Aachen earlier this summer.

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Germany is sending a highly competitive dressage team to the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Normandy next month.

After their dual wins at Aachen last week (17-20 July), Totilas and Matthias Rath (pictured top) spearhead the team.

The pair won the Nations Cup grand prix and the grand prix special, in a shock defeat of Olympic gold medal winners Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro.

Helen Langehanenberg and Damon Hill NRW, Kristina Sprehe and Desperados FRH and Isabell Werth and Bella Rose (reserve horse Don Johnson) complete the team.

Reserves are Fabienne Lutkemeier and D’Agostino, Jessica von Bredow-Werndl (Unee BB) and Dorothee Schneider with Forward Looking.

Stay up to date with the latest news in the run-up to, and during, WEG on Horseandhound.co.uk

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Matthias Rath and Totilas led Germany to a convincing win in the dressage Nations Cup grand prix in Aachen earlier today (17 July).

There was disappointment for British spectators, however, when Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro made several costly mistakes that left Great Britain trailing more than 24 penalties behind Germany in fourth.

Valegro

made a promising start and looked set to take the lead until his marks — consistently nines — slipped to threes and fours for the two-time changes and pirouettes. This earned a final mark of 76.9%, which was only good enough for individual sixth.

Totilas, meanwhile, looked a class act from the outset to earn 82.3%. Matthias confessed that the stallion’s piaffe and passage “was not the best he can do”, but added that Totilas had given him “a great feeling”.

Teammate Helen Langehanenberg finished second individually on 81.22% riding Damon Hill NRW, who shocked onlookers when he leapt into the air before the final halt.

“It was a shame because the rest of the test went well, but we both had a lot of fun,” said Helen.

The Netherlands’ Adelinde Cornelissen slotted into third with Jerich Parzival NOP. This helped the Dutch quartet claim second in the team standings while Spain finished third.

Britain’s Michael Eilberg and Half Moon Delphi netted 10th place on a score of 74.02%, after following Totilas into the arena. Daniel Watson’s Fideramber and Nikki Crisp’s Pasoa struggled to earn the marks in the atmospheric stadium and finished outside the top 30.

View individual results

View team results

Don’t miss our full report from Aachen in Horse & Hound magazine (24 July, 2014)

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Top dressage stallion Totilas is out of action again due to a breeding injury, his rider Matthias Rath has told a Dutch equestrian newspaper.

Hoefslag reported that the horse’s leg was twisted while breeding to a “phantom” to collect semen.

“For the next few years we have a number of goals and the important thing is [Totilas] remains fit. So we will certainly not force it,” Matthias told Hoefslag.

Since being bought by Paul Schockemöhle and Ann Kathrin Linsenhoff in 2010, Totilas has had a disappointing few years of competition.

He failed to win an individual medal at the 2011 European Championships and in June 2012 it was announced that he would not compete at London 2012, because Matthias was ill with glandular fever.

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Dressage superstar Totilas will have reduced stud duties in 2013, following two disappointing years of competition since transferring to German ownership.

Paul Schockemöhle — who bought Totilas with Ann Kathrin Linsenhoff in 2010 — told the German magazine Spiegel that “everything went wrong that could have gone wrong” for the horse this year.

Totilas has not enjoyed the consistent competition record he had with the Netherlands’ Edward Gal since being ridden by Ms Linsenhoff’s stepson, Matthias Rath.

He failed to win an individual medal at the 2011 European Championships and could only manage second at the German national championships this year.

The horse appeared tense and unhappy at the Schockemöhle stallion parade in February. At the Hagen CDI in April, Matthias attracted attention from critics, who alleged that the horse had been warmed up using the controversial rollkur, also known as hyperflexion.

In June it was announced that Totilas would not go to the Olympics, because Matthias was ill with glandular fever.

Totilas commands a stud fee of £8,000 and one of his progeny, sold in Germany in October, equalled the foal auction price record of

£200,000.

But Mr Schockemöhle, who owns the breeding rights to the stallion, said competition would be the priority next year.

“Next year sport will be the focal point. We are optimistic,” he told Spiegel.

However, a spokesman for Totilas’ connections, Kai Meesters, said the quotes had been taken out of context.

“Everything is fine and the relationship between Paul and Matthias is fine,” he said.

In October, the German branch of animal rights extremists PETA filed charges against the owners and rider of Totilas, alleging that the horse was being abused by being kept in isolation and trained using rollkur.

Prosecutors have not announced whether the allegations violate German law.

Mr Meesters preferred not to comment on the allegations.

“These are things that do not merit comment,” he said. “They [PETA] wanted some PR — and they got it.”

This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (29 November 2012)

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Laura Bechtolsheimer was the jam in a German sandwich today: she and Mistral Hojris filled second place between two German riders on black stallions at Horses And Dreams Meets Great Britain, CDI Hagen, Germany.

Matthias Rath brought Totilas out for the first time this year and produced the pair’s best test to date, an 83.809% test – littered with 10s just like in the old days – to take home the winner’s rug.

It’s taken time, but Matthias has finally found the right buttons on the 12-year-old son of Gribaldi. In today’s grand prix qualifier for the freestyle tomorrow afternoon, he scored a personal best, just 0.271% shy of previous rider Edward Gal’s world record score achieved at the European Championships in Windsor in 2010.

Totilas received a host of tens for the piaffe-passage tour and even one for his final halt and salute in front of a tightly-packed and appreciative capacity crowd.

Asked if the win was a relief, he said: “I’m relieved it was a good score, but I’m not surprised. I was very happy to start the season this strongly, but we’ve been training hard all winter and it was what I was expecting.”

Laura rode a secure test for 82.745%, but a mistake in the two-time changes, where “Alf” jumped together behind, saw them scoring mostly fives and sixes for that movement – with the exception of an eight from German judge at H Katrina Wust, who obviously didn’t notice.

“He felt fantastic,” said Laura. “It’s a shame I didn’t get to take the rug with the lovely British flag on it home as I really wanted it, but I’ll just have to try harder tomorrow.”

One to watch

At any other time in history, 81.851% would likely have secured you the top spot on the podium, but Kristina Sprehe and her 11-year-old De Niro/Wolkenstein stallion Desperados II had to settle for third place.

Last to go of the 30 starters, Kristrina – a young lady of few words – had all the pressure on her shoulders after beating Laura and Alf in Dortmund in March. Despite improving on their score and hitting the magical 80% barrier for the first time in a grand prix (as opposed to special or freestyle) they couldn’t catch Laura this time.

At the end of March, Kristina jumped up the world rankings from 125th to 17th and now looks a likley medal contender in London.

The stage is now set for tomorrow’s competitions; the special in the morning and the freestyle in the afternoon.

For all full report on all the action from Hagen, see Thursday’s Horse & Hound magazine

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Matthias Rath and Totilas won double gold and the national title at the German Dressage Championships (17-19 June). But the German rider’s celebrations may have been marred by controversy over the choice of floorplan for his new freestyle.

The 26-year-old commissioned a score by top dance DJ Paul van Dyk for what was billed a new kür. But the choreography for the routine was virtually a mirror image of previous rider Edward Gal’s.

Matthias’ publicist Kai Meesters said: “The music was only finished at the start of the week and there was no time to create a new floorplan for the national championships.

“But Matthias is creating a new freestyle in time for Aachen [8-17 July], when he will be competing against Edward.”

With marks awarded for choreography and originality, H&H wanted to know how judges can score a routine that is effectively second-hand.

FEI dressage director Trond Asmyr told us: “If a rider competes with a floorplan that another rider has used before it doesn’t influence the marks. Choreography and originality are judged by comparison with standard tests, regardless of the fact that there may be similarities with previous freestyles.

“The task of the judges is to evaluate the performance presented to them in the arena on a particular day, without taking into consideration any knowledge of previous results, music, floorplan, and so on.

“They must judge as if they were seeing the test for the first time.”

The issue has provoked a range of views and wide debate on the internet. But by Friday links to a number of videos showing Matthias’ kür side by side with Edward’s had been taken down from the web, ostensibily due to issues with the copyright.

Edward Gal did not want to be drawn into the discussion, but his partner Hans Peter Minderhoud said: “The kür is the same, just the other way around, but a lot of freestyles look the same — there’s not much you can do about it.”

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (30 June, 2011)

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Dressage rider Laura Bechtolsheimer is to star in the BBC’s British Olympic Dreams — on BBC1 this weekend.

The programme focuses on British athletes in the run-up to the London 2012 Olympics.

Following on from the programme that featured event rider Piggy French (14 May), BBC journalist Ollie Williams goes behind the scenes with Laura at her Gloucestershire yard, working out what makes her tick and meeting Mistral Hojris (Alf).

He also visits Germany to meet Laura’s main rivals — Totilas and Matthias Rath.

The programme airs at 1.15pm on Saturday (18 June).

“Laura was a great candidate for the programme — she’s one of the finest dressage riders in the world and one of Britian’s top prospects to secure a medal,” Ollie told H&H.

“We spent a day filming at her yard – meeting her horses and family and learning how Laura and Alf grew up together and formed such a great partnership. And how’s she’s preparing for the London 2012.

“For the second part of the programme we went to Germany and met Totilas and Matthias Rath — who Laura used to go out with. So that is especially interesting — competing against her ex-boyfriend who’s riding the best — and most expensive — horse in the world.”

British Olympic Dreams will also be available on the BBC iPlayer for seven days after it is aired.

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The eagerly awaited return of Totilas to the competition circuit hit a stumbling block this weekend in Wiesbaden, Germany (12 June), in the form of the towering partnership of Britain’s leading dressage rider Laura Bechtolsheimer and her Michellino gelding Mistral Hojris (“Alf”).

In Sunday’s grand prix for special qualifier, a 78.76% from Laura put her 5% clear of Totilas and Matthias Alexander Rath’s 73.4%.

In the arena, Totilas and Rath looked very much like a new combination and communication difficulties between the two saw them awarded with the horse’s lowest-ever score at grand prix.

In the following day’s special, Laura and Alf had some niggles in the one-time changes on the centreline, which proved costly. The pair, drawn just ahead of Totilas and Rath, still posted a strong 80.5%.

But Rath and Totilas had ironed out some of the previous day’s issues and produced a more polished performance, which was rewarded by an 81.47% win.

However, two of the five judges had Laura to win, so the London 2012 gold medal is still very much up for grabs.

See full report in Brits Abroad H&H 23 June issue

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Read the latest Matthias Alexander Rath news

Matthias Alexander Rath is a successful German dressage rider, who currently has the ride on the exceptional horse, Totilas.

Born in 1984, Matthias’s life and family have long been centred on horses; he sat on his first pony when he was just a year old. His father is the famous trainer and instructor Klaus Martin Rath; his stepmother, Ann Kathrin Linsenhoff, and his uncle, Karsten Huck, were dressage bronze medallists at the Seoul Olympics in 1988.

Matthias was a successful under-21s rider – in 2005 he won team gold at the young rider Europeans in Barzago on Cantelli. Soon after, he started making an impact at grand prix, and in 2006, won the Piaff grand prix final in Stuttgart on Renior-UNICEF, repeating the feat the following year on the same horse.

In 2008, he won the German National Championships grand prix title on his horse Sterntaler-UNICEF. The pair then helped Germany win team bronze at the 2009 European Championships in Windsor.

The following year Matthias came eighth in the World Cup final on Triviant-UNICEF, and picked up team bronze at the World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Kentucky with Sterntaler-UNICEF.

But after 40 years of dressage domination, the German team was unimpressed with their team bronze at WEG. Then the Dutch owner of Totilas, Cees Vissler, made the shock decision to sell the stallion, who was ridden by Edward Gal.

Seeing the breeding potential, and the chance to put Germany back on the dressage world map, breeder and dealer Paul Schockem ¶hle bought Totilas. Ann Karin Linsenhoff subsequently bought a percentage of the horse – including the riding rights – seeing the chance to propel Matthias into dressage superstardom.

Matthias made his competition debut with Totilas at CDI Munich in Germany on 2 June 2011. They won on a score of 76.787% in front of a packed crowd.

Matthias missed the London 2012 Olympic Games with Totilas due to an attack of glandular fever.

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Matthias Alexander Rath and Totilas made their competitive debut at the CDI Munich, Germany today winning the class with ease.

The pair, who came together after the stallion’s shock sale in October, scored 76.787% — the only combination to break the 70% barrier.

Though the stallion’s performance was not the polished finished product we were accustomed to seeing with Edward Gal, the new combination coped admirably with the massive pressure on them as spectators crowded round the arena 15 deep to get a glimpse.

British dressage rider Richard Davison said: “Matthias was cool and it was a very good performance for the new combination.

“Of course they still have to get to know each other in the arena, and there were a few communication issues which will need ironing out, but the half passes were magical.

“In the warm-up, the horse looked sensational, but the atmosphere just got to them a bit in the arena.”

Totilas tried hard in the piaffe, with his front legs coming so high off the floor that the pace became irregular at times. Matthias rode the changes more conservatively that Edward has done in the past, but as this was their first competitive outing, they can certainly be forgiven.

One thing is for sure — Totilas is once again a force to be reckoned with on the world dressage stage.

The top three spots were all occupied by Germans, but fourth place went to our Britain’s Emma Hindle and her new ride, the 10-year-old Brisbane.

There was a 6% difference in the marks from the five judges; judge at H had her on 65.106% while the judge at M had Emma on 71.170%, and in second behind Totilas.

The gelding, by Bjorsells Briar, is very striking and well established in the grand prix work and has a beautiful collected trot, but travels forward a lot in the piaffe, which may account for the difference in the marks awarded.

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Dressage sensation Totilas will make his debut with new rider Matthias Rath in Munich next month (2-5 June), it was revealed earlier today.

Totilas and Matthias, who took over the ride from Edward Gal last year, were expected to compete at Hagen last week, but a minor hoof injury ruled the stallion out. But the pair were back in training at co-owner Ann Kathrin Linsenshoff’s yard outside Frankfurt this morning and happy to train in front of members of the German press.

After Munich, Totilas will be aimed at the CDI Wiesbaden a week later, meaning lucky German fans will get the chance to see him twice in quick succession.

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Totilas, the world’s top dressage horse, will miss his seasonal debut at Hagen next week owing to injury.

The competition would have given the stallion’s many fans the chance to see him in action with new rider Matthias Rath for the first time, but a hoof abscess has scuppered the outing. Although the injury has now healed, Matthias has run out of time to prepare for the event.

“We very much regret not being able to compete in Hagen, but the health and welfare of Totilas and all our horses is always the top priority,” Matthias said in a statement. “We had a great feeling before the injury and were really looking forward to it.”

A new date to see the pair in action is expected in due course.

Totilas was previously ridden by Dutch star Edward Gal.

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Swedish dressage rider Charlotte Haid Bondergaard is the new rider of Matthias Alexander Rath’s grand prix horse Triviant.

Matthias now has the ride on World number one Totilas and decided to sell Triviant to focus on this partnership.

Charlotte bought Triviant from Ann Kathrin Linsenhoff, who is married to Matthias’ father Klaus-Martin Rath, earlier this week.

She expects to take delivery of the 11-year-old Dutch warmblood gelding by Olivi x Saluut after the weekend.

“I am very excited. Triviant is a lovely horse to ride and to handle,” said Charlotte.

Charlotte is a member of the Swedish dressage team and narrowly missed competing at the World Equestrian Games last year.

Triviant and Matthias were eighth at last years FEI World Cup Final.

Swedish chef d’equipe Bo Jena is very pleased with the new acquisition.

He said : “I have seen Triviant both in training and in competition and I think he will suit Charlotte very well. I am looking forward to seeing them together in the near future.”

Picture courtesy of http://hufgefluester.eu

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Totilas and Matthias Alexander Rath are due to take part in their first competition in May.

Matthias and the 11-year-old dressage World Champion stallion will be making their global debut at a show at Kasselmann Stables in Hagen from 4-8 May.

“I am very much looking forward to competing with Totilas for the first time in public,” said Matthias.

“He is a fascinating and superb partner and the last months have been very emotional for both of us. Hagen will be the first touchstone for us on our joint path to the 2012 Olympic Games.”

Matthias and Totilas have been training intensively since the start of this year.

Matthias’ trainer and father Klaus-Martin Rath said: “Over the past few weeks we came to the decision to start our outdoor season in Hagen, which offers the best conditions for our first show outing.”

Over the next few weeks they will work hard on sequences and exercises.

“We are all eager to see how things go in Hagen. The whole team is looking forward to it immensely,” added Matthias.

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German rider Matthias Alexander Rath rode triple WEG gold medalist Totilas for the first time in public yesterday (6 February).

Three thousand spectators flocked to watch the pair perform a demo at the Schockemohle stallion show in Vechta, Germany, for which they received a standing ovation.

“It was an amazing show, I got goose-bumps!” said Matthias, who won a bronze team medal at WEG. “It was a great experience to see how Totilas reacts in such an environment. He knew he was in the spotlight; his concentration and desire to please are extraordinary – that’s what makes him so special.

“Some sections were perfect, others I have to work on over the coming months.”

Nerves probably contributed to the handful of mistakes evident in the transitions and extended trot in front of the sell-out crowd, but Totilas’s famous piaffe and passage were prominent at the start and finish of the display.

Totilas’s next public outing will be at the Schockemoehle stallion show on 13 February, after which he will make his competitive debut with his German rider in May. The aim is to qualify for the European Championships in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, in August.

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Matthias Alexander Rath is to take the ride on dressage wonderhorse Totilas.

It was confirmed at a press conference in Germany today that the 26-year-old German rider, who is ranked 12th in the world and was widely rumoured to be taking on the ride in recent weeks, will be riding Totilas.

Matthias was part of the bronze medal-winning team at World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Kentucky, riding Sterntaler Unicef.

WEG triple gold medal winning Totilas, was bought by former showjumper turned top European breeder Paul Schockemöhle in October.

Paul said at the time he only wanted a German rider on the horse to improve the country’s dressage chances.

Matthias’s comes from a successful equestrian background — his father Klaus Martin Rath is a trainer, his mother Melitta Huck an equestrian photographer, his stepmother Ann Linsenhoff was a dressage rider and his uncle Karsten Huck is a former Olympic champion.

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