Top eventer out of the saddle after operation
Leading German event rider Ingrid Klimke is going to be out of the saddle for three to four week following an operation.
The two-time Olympic team gold medallist underwent surgery in Raphaelsklinik hospital, in Münster, Germany, due to an intestinal problem.
A statement on her website and social media sites on Wednesday (24 February) said she expects to be out of hospital today (Friday, 26 February).
Ingrid, who is currently ranked eighth in the FEI world eventing rider rankings, was due to hold a symposium at Westfalen Equestrian Centre, near Münster, on 5 March. This has now been postponed until November.
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A stalwart of the Germany eventing team, Ingrid has competed at four Olympics and won team gold twice with the same horse — FRH Butts Abraxxas.
She was also on the gold medal-winning German team at both the 2006 and 2014 World Equestrian Games and at the 2011, 2013 and 2015 European Eventing Championships.
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Ingrid has also won two individual medals at European Championships — silver in 2013 with SAP Escada FRH and bronze in 2005 with Sleep Late.
She won the Luhmühlen CCI4* last year and also took home a $40,000 cheque for winning the FEI Classics.
The classics series links the world’s six four-stars and runs from Pau in the autumn to Burghley the following September.
Her victory in the series was confirmed after she won Luhmühlen and H&H caught up with her after she collected her prize at Burghley (6 September).
Ingrid has enjoyed a strong run of success during the past two years.
As well as her Luhmühlen victory, she also took top honours at Pau CCI4* in 2014 — which was her first four-star win — and finished second at Badminton in 2015 with Horseware Hale Bob.
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Lucy is an experienced news journalist, reporter and presenter. Since joining the Horse & Hound team in 2015, Lucy has reported from major global sporting events including the Tokyo Paralympic Games and multiple European Championships, as well as Badminton, Burghley and London, to name a few. She has covered current affairs and sports news across the full spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, as well as human and equine welfare, industry news and court cases.