Who's Who

Klimke, Michael

Discipline : Dressage

Born : 1969

 
  • German National Champion Junior Riders in 1987
  • Team Gold European Championships for Young Riders in 1988 and 1989
  • Individual Bronze European Championships for Young Riders in 1989
  • Team and Individual Gold European Championships for Young Riders in 1990
  • Second place World Cup Finals in 1990
  • German National Champion Seniors in 2000
  • Multiple wins and placings at Grand Prix level until today

Michael has been one of Germany’s top dressage riders since the early 90’s, even though he has never been on the team for a World Championship or an Olympic Games. His European Championship titles are long way back and were won in the late 80’s when he was a young rider. Until 2002 Michael was a member of the B-squad. He achieved his greatest success with White Foot, including winning the national championship in 2000.

Michael began riding when he was a little boy. He also played hand ball for a local club in Münster, but at the age of 16 he decided to focus on his riding. He once confessed jokingly, that ‘he didn’t have a choice.’ His most important trainer was his father, Dr Rainer Klimke but he also trained with Ralf Isselhorst, Albert Stecken, Paul Stecken, Siegfried Peilicke, Harry Boldt, Klaus Balkenhol and Herbert Kuckluck

After his father’s death in 1999 Michael joined his law firm, Dr Klimke and Partners, and continues to work there as a senior partner for, specialising in equestrian legal issues.

He runs a training stable in Münster.

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