In Austria, there has been much speculation as to whether top black dressage stallion Totilas is to be sold to Austrian equestrian investor Gaston Glock. It follows confirmation that Glock has recently signed a ten-year sponsorship contract with the Dutch dressage trio Hans Peter Minderhoud, Edward Gal and Nicole Werner. Glock will be supporting the dressage career of the trio and has also acquired the licensed stallion IPS Tango. However, Klaus Martin Rath, husband of Totilas's co-owner, Ann Kathrin Linsenhoff, has called the whole idea "ridiculous". Rath firmly stated: "We're not thinking about selling Totilas. Any offer would have to be totally crazy, but anyone who knows our family and my wife knows that we never sell a horse. Totilas is not for sale and will not be an Austrian." Klaus confirmed that Gal had been pushing to get Totilas back in his barn and his new sponsorship with billionaire Glock had opened up the opportunity.

Better show for Totilas and Rath

Totilas and Matthias Rath had a better show last weekend, when they appeared at Paul Schockemohle' second stallion show of the season. After their first appearance, when the horse managed to throw his tongue over the bit and seemed to be struggling with his canter transitions, last weekend was a little more positive. The stallion is still tight in the neck and seldom has his poll as the highest point, but his tempi changes and piaffe were a big improvement. Rath intends to train with Dutch team trainer, Sjef Janssen after the Olympic Games as he explained at the show: "It's an interesting continuation of my development. You cannot lie about the extraordinary successes Sjef Janssen has had in the past ten years. All his horses compete for a long time."

Horses returning to form

As riders start to focus on their Olympic preparations, some horses are returning to form. Top Dutch dressage rider, Imke Schellekens-Bartels has been slowly working her Grand Prix Hanoverian mare Sunrise (by Singular Joter x Werther) back to full work after the mare's injury while being lunged in December 2010. The mare was out of action for the whole of the 2011 show season but having been on the Dutch team as a regular member, for many years it is not impossible that the 18-year-old may still be able to contest a place on the Dutch Olympic team.

Scandic sidelined due to injury

Swedish dressage rider, Patrik Kittel, has not been so lucky with his number one Grand Prix horse, Scandic, who has been sidelined due to a small injury. It will mean that the combination will take no further part in the rest of the World Cup Finals but 35-year-old Patrik has the London Games as his main priority this year. "Of course it's hard, but better now than later as the Olympics is my top goal," he said. Patrik will continue to compete the Oatley family's Swedish warmblood Toy Story (by Come Back II) for the remainder of the World Cup season.

Klimke named 'Riding Master'

German international eventing rider and Grand Prix dressage rider Ingrid Klimke has been bestowed with the title of "Riding Master" recently. Klimke is the second female ever to earn the title. Two hundred and fifty guests including Klimke's friends and colleagues joined her at the award ceremony in Munster, Germany. The Riding Master title is bestowed on German equestrian individuals who have shown exceptional commitment to and achievements in the sport as rider and trainer. Ingrid competed at her first eventing Olympics in 2000 and won team gold at the 2006 World Equestrian Games and 2008 Olympic Games on Butts Abraxxas. She has also trained eight horses to international level in dressage, and became World Young Horse Champion in 2006 with Damon Hill. Klimke recently added several good horses to her stables. She now not only has the ride on Grand Prix horse Liostro, but the same owners have also sent her their licensed Hanoverian youngster St Moritz Junior, a black Hanoverian stallion by St Moritz x Wie Weltmeyer. Klimke also has a new eventer to ride, Escada JS FRH.