Reiner Klimke
Encyclopedia
Dr Reiner Klimke (14 January 1936 – 17 August 1999) was a German
equestrian
, who won six gold and two bronze medal
s in dressage
at the Summer Olympics — a record for equestrian events. He appeared in six Olympic Games from 1960 to 1988 (excluding 1980).
and Gustaf Rau.
He won team gold in 1964, 1968 (both aboard Dux), 1976 (riding Mehmed), 1984 and 1988 (both aboard Ahlerich
), and the individual gold in 1984 on Ahlerich.
His two bronze medals came in the individual event in 1968 and 1976. Klimke also had a fine record at the World Championships, winning six gold medals (two individual [1974 aboard Mehmed, 1982 aboard Ahlerich] and four team [1966, 1974, 1982, 1986]).
At the European Championships, he was the individual champion in 1967, 1973, and 1985 and rode on seven winning West German teams (1965, 1973, 1983, 1985, and others) . Klimke also competed in eventing
early in his career. He was a member of the winning West German three-day event team at the 1959 European Championships, and finished 18th in individual eventing at the 1960 Summer Olympics
, making him the best German combination. He also won a Grand Prix show jumping
competition in Berlin.
competes successfully at the international level in eventing
and dressage
and won Gold at the 2008 Summer Olympics
, twenty years after her father's last Olympic Gold. His son Michael also competes at the Grand Prix level in dressage.
Klimke not only rode and trained, but also ran a law firm and served on several boards, including the FEI
Dressage Committee. Klimke died at age 63 in Münster
, his place of birth, due to a heart attack.
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
equestrian
Equestrianism
Equestrianism more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses...
, who won six gold and two bronze medal
Medal
A medal, or medallion, is generally a circular object that has been sculpted, molded, cast, struck, stamped, or some way rendered with an insignia, portrait, or other artistic rendering. A medal may be awarded to a person or organization as a form of recognition for athletic, military, scientific,...
s in dressage
Dressage
Dressage is a competitive equestrian sport, defined by the International Equestrian Federation as "the highest expression of horse training." Competitions are held at all levels from amateur to the World Equestrian Games...
at the Summer Olympics — a record for equestrian events. He appeared in six Olympic Games from 1960 to 1988 (excluding 1980).
Equestrian career
Kilmke studied Harry BoldtHarry Boldt
Harry Boldt , is a German equestrian and Olympic champion.He won a gold medal in team dressage at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, and again at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal....
and Gustaf Rau.
He won team gold in 1964, 1968 (both aboard Dux), 1976 (riding Mehmed), 1984 and 1988 (both aboard Ahlerich
Ahlerich
Ahlerich was a Westphalian gelding. With his rider Reiner Klimke, he won the 1984 and 1988 team gold medals in Olympic Grand Prix dressage and the individual gold in 1984....
), and the individual gold in 1984 on Ahlerich.
His two bronze medals came in the individual event in 1968 and 1976. Klimke also had a fine record at the World Championships, winning six gold medals (two individual [1974 aboard Mehmed, 1982 aboard Ahlerich] and four team [1966, 1974, 1982, 1986]).
At the European Championships, he was the individual champion in 1967, 1973, and 1985 and rode on seven winning West German teams (1965, 1973, 1983, 1985, and others) . Klimke also competed in eventing
Eventing
Eventing is an equestrian event comprising dressage, cross-country, and show jumping. This event has its roots in a comprehensive cavalry test requiring mastery of several types of riding...
early in his career. He was a member of the winning West German three-day event team at the 1959 European Championships, and finished 18th in individual eventing at the 1960 Summer Olympics
1960 Summer Olympics
The 1960 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event held from August 25 to September 11, 1960 in Rome, Italy...
, making him the best German combination. He also won a Grand Prix show jumping
Show jumping
Show jumping, also known as "stadium jumping," "open jumping," or "jumpers," is a member of a family of English riding equestrian events that also includes dressage, eventing, hunters, and equitation. Jumping classes commonly are seen at horse shows throughout the world, including the Olympics...
competition in Berlin.
Personal life
Reiner Klimke was the son of a psychologist and a neurologist. With his wife, Ruth (also a top show jumping and dressage rider), he had 3 children: Ingrid, Rolf, and Michael. His daughter Ingrid KlimkeIngrid Klimke
Ingrid Klimke is a German eventing rider. She appeared at three Olympics from 2000-2008. With her horse Abraxxas she won a gold medal in team eventing at the 2008 Summer Olympics....
competes successfully at the international level in eventing
Eventing
Eventing is an equestrian event comprising dressage, cross-country, and show jumping. This event has its roots in a comprehensive cavalry test requiring mastery of several types of riding...
and dressage
Dressage
Dressage is a competitive equestrian sport, defined by the International Equestrian Federation as "the highest expression of horse training." Competitions are held at all levels from amateur to the World Equestrian Games...
and won Gold at the 2008 Summer Olympics
2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
, twenty years after her father's last Olympic Gold. His son Michael also competes at the Grand Prix level in dressage.
Klimke not only rode and trained, but also ran a law firm and served on several boards, including the FEI
International Federation for Equestrian Sports
The Fédération Équestre Internationale or in English, the International Federation for Equestrian Sports, is the international governing body of equestrian sports. It recognizes ten international disciplines...
Dressage Committee. Klimke died at age 63 in Münster
Münster
Münster is an independent city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located in the northern part of the state and is considered to be the cultural centre of the Westphalia region. It is also capital of the local government region Münsterland...
, his place of birth, due to a heart attack.
Published works
- Cavaletti: Ausbildung von Reiter und Pferd über Bodenricks Stuttgart: Franckh 1966
- Military: Geschichte, Training, Wettkampf Stuttgart: Franckh 1967, "Eventing"
- Cavalletti: Schooling of Horse and Rider over Ground Rails (translation of Cavaletti by Daphne Machin Goodall) London: J.A. Allen 1969
- Le Concours complet: histoire, entraînement, compétition (translation of Military by Pierre André) Paris: Crépin-Leblond 1977
- Grundausbildung des jungen Reitpferdes: von der Fohlenerziehung bis zum ersten Turnierstart Stuttgart: Franckh 1980
- Horse trials (translation of Military by Daphne Machin Goodall) London: J.A. Allen 1984
- Ahlerich von der Remonte zum Dressur-Weltmeister; ein exemplarischer Ausbildungsweg Stuttgart: Franckh 1984
- Basic Training of the Young Horse: From the Education of the Young Foal to the First Competition (translation of Grundausbildung by Sigrid Young) London: J.A. Allen 1985
- Ahlerich: The Making of a Dressage World Champion (translation of Ahlerich by Courtney Searls-Ridge) Gaithersburg, MD: Half Halt Press 1986
- Von der Schönheit der Dressur vom jungen Pferd bis zum Grand Prix Stuttgart: Franckh-Kosmos 1991
- Klimke on Dressage: From the Young Horse Through Grand Prix (translation of the above by Courtney Searls-Ridge and Jan Spauschus Johnson) Middletown, MD: Half Halt Press 1992
See also
- List of multiple Olympic gold medalists
- List of multiple Olympic gold medalists in one event
- List of athletes with the most appearances at Olympic Games
- List of writers on horsemanship