Ingrid Klimke on team spirit and the path to victory
The secret of her success? For Riding Master Ingrid Klimke, it is the combination of her team, top-class equipment, and passion. In conversation with Justus Böckmann, she talks about the value of reliability on the path to the top of the world.
Justus Böckmann in conversation with Ingrid Klimke
Ingrid, you have won everything – you are an Olympic champion, German champion, World champion, European champion. How important is the team behind the scenes to make sure everything runs smoothly?
We have the slogan at our stable, and we truly live by it: "As a team, we are unbeatable." At the prize-giving ceremony, I would always prefer to take everyone to the front with me, because I stand there alone with the big ribbon and yet I owe it to the entire team. I really have a great team where everyone plays their part and has gotten along well for many years.
And how important is functioning equipment?
Over the years, it has become clear what actually works in everyday life. You cannot have top achievements without top-class equipment. At the very least, it shouldn't fail because of the equipment. My great fortune is that Carmen Thiemann and I set up our own business together in 1998. We have known each other for so long that we barely need to speak – we have our routines, we look at each other and everyone knows what to do. We are totally in sync and always travel to the shows together.
Speaking of being on the road: how important is a relaxed journey to a show for success?
That is the be-all and end-all. If you arrive and the horses are already nervous, haven't coped well with the journey, or you yourself are already completely exhausted because nothing on the road worked out, then focusing fully on the horse becomes difficult.
In other words, transport plays a crucial role in a successful show and ultimately contributes to the success.
Absolutely. We travel a lot for training as well. It is a huge advantage when the vehicle is always completely set up and we only have to load the horses and drive off. When every detail has been thought of, you don't have to rethink everything from scratch every single time.
Your motto is: "Ride for your pleasure." We would adapt that to: "Drive for your pleasure." Fittingly, Böckmann is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year. What do you connect with the brand?
My father's very first truck was already a Böckmann – it still had that very high ramp. Then he bought a new one, which already had a lower ramp. That was a completely different standard. There were always considerations about whether to choose something else, but no, it was always a Böckmann again. Today, I am very fortunate to cooperate with you, and I drive your Master and the Compact. It is such a good feeling to drive with something of high quality, knowing it is safe, well-thought-out, and functions perfectly.
We are, of course, delighted when you confirm that everything runs smoothly. Especially at shows, where it really matters and you need full concentration. You are one of the world's best in both dressage and eventing. Do you have a different mindset when standing in front of the dressage arena compared to the starting box in the cross-country phase?
Yes, indeed. I could never make up my mind and have done both since I was little. For me, they are two different sports. In the dressage arena, precision and perfection are required, while in the cross-country, you have to be fast, have good reflexes, and be a fighter.
You have won everything there is to win. What still drives you today?
To be completely honest, it isn't the medals. It is the joy of working with the horses every single day. When a young horse understands something and joins in with joy, that is the greatest happiness. Or shaping older horses so that they become like dancers under the saddle – that makes me happy.
If you could pass on some advice to young riders of the next generation, based on the wealth of experience you have gathered over the past years, what would it be?
Patience. Patience with the horses and also with yourself. Not everything happens overnight. And then, joy in what you do. And humility. There will always be setbacks, and when they happen, you simply have to say: "Put it behind you, keep going." Then another high will come. The most important thing is that you keep getting back up.
