From Aachen

Earlier today, Totilas, the horse of the German dressage rider, Matthias Alexander Rath, was withdrawn from the remaining competitions of the European Championships in Aachen. “After yesterday’s ride in the Grand Prix we studied the videos again in the evening. On analysing the videos, an irregularity in the movements of his left hind-leg was noticeable. After the initial examination, no visible cause is recognisable, so at the moment it is not possible to explain this irregularity. For the protection of the horse, the rider, national trainer and team veterinarian have taken the joint decision to withdraw him,” explained the German Chef d’Equipe, Klaus Roeser. Trude Hestengen from Norway will take the place of Totilas and Rath in tomorrow’s Grand Prix Spécial.