Cees Visser of Moorlands Stables has confirmed today that Moorlands Totilas has been sold to German former showjumper turned top European breeder Paul Schockemohle.

"It is with mixed emotions that we launch this news. We wanted to wait until the deal about the sale was fully done, but today the buyer came out with the news himself and we didn't want to lag behind," said Visser. "The past two years we've been living a dream and we enjoyed every moment with Edward and Totilas. After Kentucky it was impossible for us to refuse the offers on Totilas.
We have now come to the point that we decided, in good agreement with all parties, to let him go."

"The World Equestrian Games in Kentucky were the absolute apex on an emotional and competitive level. It was not an easy decision, but with all his competitive highlights and three gold medals in Kentucky one shouldn't challenge fate. We believe that it was the right moment to sell."

“Of course, it’s not easy for Edward. Thanks to his talent and effort, Totilas has become the phenomenon he is today. When we bought Totilas and Edward started riding him, we never suspected that they would become this top combination. Together, they have added a new dimension to dressage. They’re the first to score above 90!"

“Fortunately, Edward understands our decision to take a new path, and new challenges lie ahead. We’ve invested in talented horses in the past, and we’ll certainly continue to do so in the future. We consider Edward a top rider, and we’ll keep supplying him with potential top horses in the coming years.”

Edward Gal won three gold medals with the 10-year-old stallion at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky two weeks ago and strongly denied rumours that were circulating at the time about Totilas's sale.

Totilas is considered by may to be the best dressage horse of all time. The partnership of Totilas and Gal has broken every world record score for a grand prix, special and freestyle.

In a report on Eurodressage Edward Gal states:  "From the first moment I rode him I knew he was a once-in-a-lifetime horse. Of course there was continuous interest in him, but I never expected it to go this quickly. I understand Moorland's decision, but I'm sad."