Ingrid Klimke Withdraws From Tokyo Olympics

Ingrid Klimke Withdraws From Tokyo Olympics

Ingrid Klimke withdraws from the Tokyo Olympics 2021, following an announcement on her social media.

After sustaining a serious injury at Baborówko a serious injury at Baborówko, in Poland, last weekend, Germany’s Ingrid Klimke will not be partaking in the up-coming Olympic Games.

A statement released by Ingrid on her Facebook page read;

After falling in the grounds of Equestrian Festival Baborówko 2021, I suffered a serious injury to the rib cage! The surgery in Münster went well and now I need peace and time to heal!”

“I am very sad that my biggest dream — to participate in my 6th Olympics — has burst!”

“The title defending at the European Championship in September is our next big goal!”

Ingrid had a successful run in Baborówko CCI4*-S. Riding SAP Hale Bob OLD, Ingrid stormed into the lead with German team mate, Micheal Jung, close behind.

However, with the weather not on the rider’s side, Ingrid ran into trouble in to CCI3*-S division. Riding Cascamara, a horse who previous took the title with Ingrid at Le Lion d’Angers in the 7YO World Championship, the combination fell at a fence during the cross country phase.

Earlier in the year, Ingrid announced that she would be representing Germany in both dressage and eventing. More recently sidelining her dressage hopes after ride, Franziskus, sustained an injury, Ingrid’s full attention has been on the eventing competition since.

In April her top eventer, SAP Asha P, was also sidelined after sustaining an injury during training in April. She was set to take on the Olympics with SAP Hale Bob OLD, her double European champion partner

Ingrid’s withdrawal from this year’s Olympic will come as a huge blow to the German team. The team were a favourite for gold, with Ingrid playing a key role.

However, Team Germany still have an Olympic co-hort made up of eventing legends, including three-time Olympic gold-medalist, Michael Jung. In addition, Ingrid’s withdrawal leaves a space for the prospective squad to contend in the games. With hopefuls such as Sophie Leube and Anna Siemer, who are ranked 69th and 64th in the FEI World Rankings respectively, Team Germany are still in top contention for the gold.

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