German bronze medal WEG team rider Matthias Alexander Rath had his first public display aboard his new ride, triple WEG gold medallist Totilas (by Gribaldi x Glendale) at the 2011 Schockemöhle stallion show in Vechta, German, on Sunday afternoon 6 February 2011. The stallion show had sold out quickly as this first demo of Totilas under his new German rider was the absolute crowd magnet.
The 25-year old Rath was nervous to present the back Dutch warmblood stallion to an estimated public of 3,000 and made a few mistakes in the transitions and extended trot. Of course Totilas' world class piaffe and passage was put prominently on display both at the beginning and end of the presentation.
At the end of the show, Totilas' breeders Mr and Mrs Schuil handed the Nimmerdor trophy to Schockemohle and Linsenhoff as their breeding colt was proclaimed KWPN Stallion of the Year 2010 for the second year in a row. The crowds gave Team Totilas a standing ovation.
"It was an incredible feeling," Rath commented after his ride. "Totilas went great. He gives so much more in these circumstances with an audience. He's even more eager. I still have to learn to ride him and we still need to practise a few things, but I'm enthusiastic and so was the crowd."
Totilas is co-owned by Ann Kathrin Linsenhoff and Paul Schockemohle. The black stands at stud at the station in Mühlen, Germany, and his stud fee is a staggering 8000 euro (4000 euro for insemination + 4000 euro when the mare is proven pregnant).
Matthias will perform a second time in front of the crowds at another Schockemöhle stallion show on 13 February 2011, which will be the last presentation before his official show debut in May 2011. Rath aims to qualify Totilas for the 2011 European Championships in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Photo © Ulrike Beelitz - More Photos of the Schockemohle Stallion Show in her Photo Database!!
Related Links
Matthias Rath Presents New Ride, Totilas, to the Press
Matthias Rath: Riding Totilas is "A Real Pleasure"