Francis FRH

#Tanzmitfranz – it wasn’t just a hit on social media. When Franziskus and Ingrid Klimke trotted through the arena to “La Cintura” by Álvaro Soler, the spectators in the stands were also dancing their hips. Franziskus FRH was the first horse to fulfill eventing Olympic champion Ingrid Klimke’s dream of winning a medal in the dressage arena. However, it took a while until then. Because even though his name gives Franziskus the appearance of a saint, this was not always the case under saddle.

There was never any doubt that Franziskus was blessed with three above-average gaits and was also very handsome. And observing Franziskus, one could come to the conclusion that he was well aware that he was something special. Ingrid Klimke can take credit for the fact that she managed to get this macho stallion, who is in great demand among breeders, on her side with his pronounced self-confidence.

Premium stallion and Bundeschampion

Franziskus was born in 2008 in Elisabeth Albers’ breeding stable in Löningen. His dam Antara by Alabaster had already produced a licensed stallion when bred to De Niro. However, the combination with Fidertanz proved to be even better. This was also demonstrated at the Verden Stallion Market 2025, where a premium stallion by Livaldon-Diamond Hit bred by Elisabeth Albers was sold to the Celle State Stud. The granddam of this stallion is a full sister to Franziskus.

Franziskus qualified for the German Foal Championships as a foal. Two years later, he shone as a premium stallion at the NRW main licensing and began his stallion career at Holkenbrink Station. He received his basic training from Johanna Klippert, with whom he first became Hanoverian Champion and then acclaimed Bundeschampion as a four-year-old. One year later, Ingrid Klimke took over his training. In 2014, the pair qualified for the final of the World Championships for six-year-old dressage horses in Verden. However, they did not make it past 13th place here – Franziskus wanted to show the spectators once again that he was a real character. He crashed many a performance, but Ingrid Klimke was not discouraged, because when Franziskus was not distracted, he was usually right at the front.

Picture book career

Franziskus’ career was remarkably straightforward, especially in view of the fact that he always had an exhausting second job as a stallion. He collected his first successes in the advanced class at the age of seven. At the age of eight, he placed second in the Nuremberg Burg Cup Final. A year later, he came third in the final of the Louisdor Prize. In the following years, he established himself more and more in Grand Prix sport. And he improved from season to season. While he initially still had problems with the diagonal piaffe, he became better and more stable from year to year. In 2019, he and Ingrid Klimke were selected for the German Olympic squad. However, they had to wait a little longer until their first championships. Then it worked out in 2022. The pair had recommended themselves with a bronze medal in the freestyle at the German Championships in Balve. They were then nominated for the Nations Cup in Aachen, which was a first for both Franziskus and Ingrid Klimke. They finished in second place with the team – and secured a place in the team for the WEG in Herning.

The two of them had a real moment of glory here. Not only did they surpass all expectations with a personal best in the Grand Prix, it was above all the HOW that was inspiring. Whether in collection or reinforcement, on a straight or curved line, one or two hoof beats – “Franz” and Ingrid never missed a beat. They not only won the hearts of the judges, but also those of the spectators. Their reward was bronze with the team.

Series of injuries

The pair then topped their Grand Prix result from Herning several more times and qualified for the 2023 World Cup Final in Omaha. But it was not to be. Klimke already realized in the Grand Prix that Franziskus was different than usual. She withdrew before the freestyle and left. The vet was unable to diagnose any injury. Franziskus was given a break from sport before Klimke trained him up again for the green season. They again won bronze in the freestyle and were nominated for the CHIO Aachen. However, he was already lame after riding off and now there was also a diagnosis: a hairline fracture in the bone.

Franziskus underwent surgery, was given a long break and returned in top form in 2024. After good placings in Hagen and Munich, the pair finished second in the Grand Prix in Aachen (ahead of the eventual team Olympic champions Frederic Wandres and Bluetooth), fourth in the Special and third in the Freestyle. They were named as reserves for Paris. However, they did not even make the trip to the training camp. The old injury returned and Ingrid Klimke and owner Wilhelm Holkenbrink decided to withdraw the 16-year-old stallion from the sport.

Breeding balance sheet

Franziskus’ sporting record is not the only one to be proud of. To date, he has 37 licensed sons and 13 horses at Grand Prix level, of which EQUITANA’s Firlefranz and Freudenstern were also trained to Grand Prix level by Ingrid Klimke. In addition, there are Bundeschampions such as Forever Valentine and horses that have excelled in the junior and young rider classes such as For Gold OLD.