Totilas, Germany's top hope for an individual gold medal has been withdrawn from the World Equestrian Games due to health reasons. The 14-year-old was due to compete next week (25-29 August) with rider Matthias Alexander Rath. A statement released by the German equestrian federation said that the partnership had been at a training camp at Peterhof stud when Totilas had a “pain reaction” to an existing splint injury. “After consultation with the leadership team, the vet team and the rider was decided that for the sake of the horse he should not participate,” the statement added. Fabienne Lütkemeier and D’Agostino will take their place in the German dressage team.
