Ingrid Klimke officially retires SAP Hale Bob at CHIO Aachen 2023
There could not have been a more fitting venue for the official retirement of Ingrid Klimke’s 19-year-old gelding SAP Hale Bob OLD than CHIO Aachen.
Among the many other titles won during his career with Ingrid, ‘Bobby’ won the SAP Cup title twice at Aachen in 2017 and 2019. His Championship career started with team gold and individual fifth at the 2015 European Championships at Blair Castle and he went on to win double gold at the 2019 Europeans in Luhmuhlen and team silver at the 2017 Europeans in Strzegom.
In 2016 they were part of the silver medal German team at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, followed up by individual bronze in 2018 at the World Championships in Tryon (USA). The pair collected their last medal at the 2021 European Championships in Avenches (SUI) before an injury at the Test Event for the World Championships in Pratoni in May 2022 forced his retirement from competition.
But there had to be a farewell for this fabulous horse and Aachen provided the perfect opportunity. Accompanied by Ingrid and his long-standing groom Carmen Thiemann, Bobby returned to the venue where he had always been so successful in his career for a fitting tribute. Their shirts read “Danke Bobby’ and that was what Ingrid wanted to say
“Thank you Bobby, for all the unforgettable moments, that you have bestowed upon us” said Ingrid in her speech (it is in German, but still well worth a watch in the video below, along with some great snippets from the cross country)
Danke Bobby from all of us!
