Interview with Ingrid Klimke

She is the daughter of the famous late Dr. Reiner Klimke: Ingrid Klimke, an international rider in multiple disciplines: dressage and eventing. She competed in eventing at three Olympics and in 2008 she won gold with the German team. This year she received the special title of honour 'Reitmeisterin'. For HorsUs she has answered questions that have been sent in bij fans.

April 2012

Photos of Ingrid Klimke

Interview

What makes you such an all-round atlete? What is your best discipline and what your weakest?

‘I was always interested in riding all 3 disciplines. I grew up with dressage  from my father who started as an eventer before he specialised in dressage and then I learnt how to jump and than started the cross country. All 3 disciplines  are challenging and fun. Which is the best depends on the horse!’

What is the most special show for you so far and why?

‘The Sydney Olympics! I never rode 4 star before and my horse "Sleep Late" was just 9 years old and did his first 4 star competition at the Olympics. We both had a lot of respect for that tough course and end up with a great cross country round in time. We would have been 2nd if the format hadn´t been changed that year. The Olympic dream came true and the incredible moments will last for ever.’

Will we see you in the Grand Prix dressage ring again and what horse would be the first to do this with you?

‘I already won Grand Prix again with "Liostro" a ten year old Hannovarian gelding from Le Premiour. He is a very good horse and I hope to qualify him for the Louisdor Grand Prix Final this year. I also have a very promising 8 year old Westfalian gelding "Dresden Man" who was already third in Inter 2 and will hopefully catch up with the Nürnberger Burg Pokal before he will show up in the Grans Prix ring. Both horses are very promising and wonderful to work with.’

If you don't feel like training hard with your dressage horses, will you hack of jump them or do your dressage horses just dressage?

‘First of all what is very important for me: the dressage horses go out on pasture every day and enjoy their freedom very much. They all do Cavaletti exercises for building up muscles as well as little jumping to gain strength and have fun. They go for a hack as well as condition training on the hill to develop hind quarter and back muscles. It is important to do different training with the hard working dressage horses for their motivation and excitement. So they will stay happy and healthy for a long time.’

What is the most important thing your father has taught you?

‘Love your horse and treat it like your best friend!
Be patient and take time!
Work hard on yourself and never give up!’

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