(This post is the text of a press release received by The Jurga Report from Paul Schockem?hle on October 26, 2010. The press release is printed here without editing so readers can see exactly what the new owner says about his acquisition of the dressage stallion Totilas. Photos added by The Jurga Report)
M?hlen (GERMANY) – Europe’s leading horse breeder and trader Paul Schockem?hle (shown left) has bought Totilas, the most successful dressage horse in the world and brought him to Germany. For quite a while there have been a lot of rumours, among insiders about the stallion being up for sale and that the couple Totilas and Edward Gal would almost certainly be separated.
“For the Dutch it was not possible to hold Totilas in their own ranks and it was not possible to put together a syndicate for the Dutch dressage sport. Therefore my passion for this great stallion has led me to take the chance to buy him myself. You may forgive me for not giving a statement earlier, but we agreed on discreetness until final processing.” says Paul Schockem?hle. All necessary medical examinations have been completed successfully.
“Germany has so far been the country for the export of top horses. Why not import a top horse, when a very special one is on the market. I really wanted to secure this horse for German breeding and this is what I have done. Maybe I can even manage to assure a new partnership for the German sport, because Germany has first-class riders and trainers. But that has time, because Totilas has already achieved a lot for his age, so he deserves taking a break now,” said Schockem?hle further.
During conversations between the former owner Cees Visser, his wife and Paul Schockem?hle in the late summer of this year Cees Visser assured, not to sell the horse before the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky, in order to give Edward Gal and Totilas the opportunity to become a multiple world champion.
“Without any doubt it was always clear that the horse would be sold after that, especially since Cees Visser had only little or no breeding ambitions at all,” said Schockem?hle.
When Paul Schockem?hle saw the stallion for the first time, he was fascinated by him. “Since then I have observed Totilas continuously. For me he really has everything a good athlete needs: three first-class elastic gaits, incredible self-carriage and collecting ability, energy and a naturally competitive spirit. Further his mental calmness that can always be seen at prizegiving ceremonies, when he actually enjoys the applause of the audience.”
Never before Schockem?hle has seen a horse which combines all of these qualities together, and according to all horse specialists there has not been one like this before. That’s why Totilas is also described as the “wonder horse”.
“Through world-class training, care and management Edward Gal has managed to form the basic qualities of the stallion to exceptional sporting achievements. The couple Totilas and Gal has brought spectacular performances and great moments to horse lovers all over the world and this will never be forgotten,” the three-time European champion in show jumping emphazises.
“I made myself a present by buying this superior stallion for myself, and I am very happy that he is not on any different continent. I hope that he will pass on a lot of his qualities to his future foals.”
(end message from Paul Schockemohle)
Top photo from Moorlands Stables web site. Image of Paul Schockemohle from his biography.
This is the third of three blog posts on The Jurga Report featuring Totilas as he moves to a new home and a new stage in his career.
Read Part 1: Totilas and Edward Gal: Great Things Come in Twos
Read Part 2: Totilas and Fuego Video: More Great Things Come in Twos
by Fran Jurga | The Jurga Report at Equisearch.comBe friends withFran Jurga on Facebook.comTweet
