Klimke and Franziskus Withdraw as German Olympic Team Reserves

Dressage

Germany

Ingrid Klimke has announced her withdrawal as reserve German Olympic team rider for Paris 2024. Franziskus has re-injured himself.

"I am incredibly sad and can't believe it myself," said Klimke. "Franz had a well-deserved break for a few days after Aachen. When I wanted to train him normally again the day before yesterday, I didn't have a good feeling. We examined him immediately and found an injury that needed to be treated immediately. Unfortunately, this means we won't be able to compete in Paris."

Klimke had put her eventing career on hold this spring to aim for a German Olympic dressage team spot on Wilhelm Holkenbrink's 16-year old Hanoverian stallion Franziskus (by Fidertanz x Alabaster). They won bronze at the 2024 German Dressage Championships, which counted as first team selection trial.

At the 2024 CDIO Aachen the pressure was on as she had to ride for her team spot against Isabell Werth (Wendy) and Frederic Wandres (Bluetooth). In the Grand Prix she beat Wandres (76.043%), but in the Special she was behind him (74.596%) as well as in the freestyle (81.385%).

Klimke and Franziskus were named reserve. Unfortunately the pair will not go into training camp in France this week, prior to heading to Versailles, due to this injury.

"The Holkenbrink family, my entire team and I are very sad because we would have loved to experience our first Olympic Games in dressage live as reserves," said Ingrid. "I wish the entire German team every success and unforgettable days. The Olympic Games are something very special and the biggest dream for us athletes!"

Ingrid and Franziskus first represented Germany on the team at the 2022 World Championships in Herning, where they won team bronze. She was 19th in the Special. In 2021 the pair dropped out of Olympic contention due to an injury and in 2023 he was operated on for a hairline fracture.

As second reserves Raphael Netz and Great Escape Camelot in principle will move into the first reserve spot for the 2024 Olympic Games.