Matthias Rath has set a new goal for the upcoming show season and he has disclosed that he'll be aiming to qualify for the 2015 World Cup Finals in Las Vegas, held on 15 - 19 April 2015.
"Totilas is fit again and that's the most important thing," Rath stated. "It was just very had timing."
After making a whopping come back in May 2014 after two year period of injury, Rath's Totilas captured a spot on the German team for the 2014 World Equestrian Games but had to withdraw last minute after the 12-year old Dutch warmblood stallion injured himself again right before departure to Caen.
"For a week I really wasn't in the best place," Rath said about missing out on the World Equestrian Games. "The season was not really a catastrophe," he added jokingly. There were plenty of people who thought Totilas would never return to the show ring. We were able to show ourselves in good form at several shows."
After knocking himself before WEG, Totilas got two weeks rest and then they picked up training again. Rath has planned his next competition start for 2015.
"My next start won't be this year. I want to ride World Cup and the next finals is in Las Vegas. I was there in 2005 with Ann Kathrin when she competed Renoir there. It's an incredible atmosphere there. The Americans really now how to generate atmosphere."
Rath is not yet sure when he will start campaigning in the World Cup qualifiers. His second horse, the small tour stallion Bretton Woods, is currently being ridden by Anky van Grunsven and Sjef Janssen. Rath commutes to The Netherlands on a regular basis.
Source: Dressursport Deutschland
Related Links
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