The rumours proved true when it was announced on Tuesday that Matthias Alexander Rath will take the ride on the famous dressage stallion Totilas, formerly ridden by Edward Gal.
Twenty-six-year-old Rath, who is coached by his father, Klaus Martin Rath, was a member of the bronze medal winning German dressage team at this year’s WEG. Rath is currently ranked 12th in the world.
The announcement was made by new owner Paul Schockemöhle at the headquarters of his Performance Sales International in Mühlen and followed by a widely attended demonstration ride, which was broadcast online.
Schockemöhle, who purchased the 10-year-old Gribaldi son in October from the Dutch Moorlands Stable for a reported €10 million, said he wanted a German rider for the superstar in order to bolster Germany’s dressage hope. Rath’s step mother and former dressage competitor, Ann Kathrin Linsenhoff, is part owner.