Edward Gal and Total US to return to competition in Exloo

Edward Gal riding Total US at the Tokyo Olympics dressage — Edward Gal and Total US in action for the Netherlands at the Tokyo Olympics.

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Edward Gal and Total US (Totilas x Sir Donnerhall I) are set to make a return to competition after an absence of almost three years in the grand prix at the CDI3* in Exloo, the Netherlands.

As reported by Horses.nl, the FEI registration of both Edward and Total US were activated by the KNHS (Royal Dutch Equestrian Association) yesterday (1 May). However, the combination was not included on the master list provided by the competition organisers and it was unclear whether all the paperwork had gone through in time.

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Oscar joined Horse & Hound in October 2023 and is the magazine’s dressage editor and sports manager, overseeing coverage of equestrian sport. After studying equine science at Myerscough College, he spent four years working for leading dressage rider Emile Faurie, competing at the 2015 National Dressage Championships and travelling with the yard to CDIs including Aachen and Saumur. He holds a master’s degree in Literature from York St John University (2021).

Olympic combination to make long-awaited comeback after almost three years

But following the trot-up, it was confirmed through the online scoring system that Edward and Total US will be 13th to go in the grand prix tomorrow (3 May).

It will be Edward’s first competition since competing at the Tokyo Olympics, where he and the then nine-year-old stallion finished sixth individually on 84.15%.

“I’ve been riding in competitions for so many years and I’ve enjoyed it. But, after the Olympics, I felt like I wanted to take a break,” said Edward at the time.

“I love riding at home, training our stallions, and I’d like to continue doing that this year in peace.

“After that, I’ll be back in sport again with all my energy. Thank you all for your understanding and I’m looking forward to many wonderful moments to come.”

That one-year sabbatical has now stretched to almost three years, but anticipation had been building for a potential return after the KNHS included the combination on their long list for the Paris Olympic Games.

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