It has become a no go after all. Ingrid Klimke will not be competing Franzikus at the 2023 CDIO Aachen on 29 June - 2 July 2023. Her stallion is not fit to compete.
Klimke showed tremendous grit and dedication in making it to Aachen. Less than two weeks ago she fractured her collar bone from falling off her horse on the cross country course at the CCI 4* in Luhmühlen on 17 June 2023. She underwent surgery to stabilise the fracture.
Initially it was thought she wouldn't make it to Aachen, but within days after her operation, she was back on her horse and on 23 June announced she would ride in Aachen and compete for a German team spot for the 2023 European Championships.
However, today Ingrid did not present Wilhelm Holkenrbink's 15-year old Hanoverian stallion Franziskus (by Fidertanz x Alabaster) at the horse inspection. The horse is not fit to compete.
"This morning I trained Franziskus with our team trainer. He was fresh and motivated. On his way to the stable he took a wrong step and showed it clearly," Klimke stated on Facebook. "The welfare of Franz is priority and in agreement with the team vet and trainer we cancelled our participation int he Nations Cup team for Germany."
This is not the first time that Franziskus is not fit at a key event. At the 2023 World Cup Finals last April he was withdrawn from the freestyle finals after not being crips regular in the Grand Prix. In 2021 he dropped out of the German Olympic team race due to an injury
Sönke Rothenberger and the 9-year old Fendi will now replace them on the German team for the FEI Nations Cup CDIO 5* tour in Aachen.
Photo © Astrid Appels
Related Links
Ingrid Klimke Injured in Cross Country Accident, Rothenberger on Team for CDIO Aachen?
Ingrid Klimke Shows Grit and Will Compete at 2023 CDIO Aachen
Klimke and Franziskus Drop out German Olympic Team Contention due to Injury
Klimke Withdraws Franziskus from 2023 World Cup Finals