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Reiner Klimke ranks as the most successful participant ever in Olympic equestrian events. He won six gold and two bronze medals in dressage, over five different Olympic Games.
At the 1964 and 1968 Olympic Games, riding Dux, he helped the West German team to win and retain team gold. Four years later in Montreal, he again won team gold, this time riding Mehmed. At the 1980 Los Angeles Games he won individual and team golds with yet another horse, Ahlerich. His sixth gold medal came in the team event in Seoul in 1988.
Klimke also had substantial success in other international competitions. Over the course of 20 years, he rode four different horses and collected six World Championships. At the European Championships, he was the individual champion in 1967, 1973, and 1985 and rode on seven winning West German teams. He also won nine domestic titles.
Sadly, Klimke died abruptly of a heart attack in 1999. However, his legacy is continued by his daughter, Ingrid Klimke, who competes at international level in eventing and dressage.
