World Games gold medalist Totilas will not return to competition. The stallion’s owners Paul Schockemöhle and Ann-Katrin Linsenhof made the decision after results came back from a recent MRI, showing the horse has bone inflammation in his left hind hoof. 

Totilas and German rider Matthias Rath contested the Grand Prix at the FEI European Championships (Germany), where they finished sixth individually and helped the German team to bronze. The 15-year-old Dutch Warmblood (Gribaldi—Lominka, Glendale) was then withdrawn from the remainder of the tests and taken for a veterinary examination after demonstrating unevenness behind. The prognosis for a return to top sport was mixed, and veterinarians recommended at least four to five months of rest for the stallion. 

“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 they’re horse enthusiasts or not, young or old,” said the owners in a joint statement. “His injury is going to heal at his home yard, and [it will be] given all the time it needs. This will also give him a gentle transition into his athletic retirement.

“We would like to take the opportunity to thank all [his] admirers and fans for their support during this time,” the statement continued.

If possible, after healing from his injury, Totilas will still stand at Schockemöhle’s breeding farm. 

The Netherlands’ Edward Gal rode Totilas to gold medals at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (Ky.) before the stallion was sold to Schockemöhle and Linsenhof in late 2010. Totilas has since been plagued by injuries, missing out on the 2012 London Olympic Games and 2014 World Games (France).