Finally it is official. The superb black dressage stallion Moorlands Totilas has a new rider. It was finally confirmed in a press conference today with Rath seated next to new owner Paul Schockemohle.

26-year-old German Matthais Alexander Rath will now compete the horse after his step mother, Ann-Kathrin Linse Hoff, came to an agreement with Schockemohle over the ownership of the horse, and not over the 'riding rights' as had been widely speculated. The jewel in the Dutch dressage crown will now be competed under the yellow, red and black flag of the Germans. Matthias, who is currently doing management studies at the Goethe University in Frankfurt, will now campaign the stallion.

Video of Rath riding Totilas

Here is a video of Rath presenting Totilas under saddle.

Who is Matthias Alexander Rath?

On his website, it states that Rath would "like to be able to train horses independently, correctly and successfully. And, as a member of the A-squad of the German team...to clock up one success after another." He also states that right at the top of his wishlist is the desire to "be able to compete for a medal position in international championships or in the Olympic Games." It seems that he may well have just bought his wish, if the stallion's successes to date are anything to go by.

Rath has come a long way from the early days when, aged five, he got his first pony, a Shetland mare called Susi. She was a Christmas present and was waiting for him under the trees. (H&C wonders whether Totilas might be doing the same this year?)   

Matthias' father Klaus Martin Rath is a trainer and instructor and he trains his son daily at home, where the family has 48 horses. Step mother Ann Kathrin Linsenhoff was herself also a dressage rider and is, like Matthias' uncle Karsten Huck, a former Olympic champion.

His mother Melitta Huck is an equestrian photographer and was an active rider herself. The family also breeds horses. Matthias laughs, "It's hard to imagine a 'horsier' life than that! Horses are my passion, my mission, my past, and my future."

Matthias' daily routine consists of riding early in order to have the horses exercised before university. He rides from half past six, squeezing in four or five horses before heading for the university. He heads home in the afternoons either to ride or checking on the young horses and the broodmares. 

Big shoes to fill

With Edward Gal, his long term rider, Totilas won three gold medals at the World Equestrian Games and is the world record holder for grand prix, the grand prix special and grand prix freestyle.