Klaus grew up on the family farm. He chose to join the Dusseldorf Police Force rather than doing national service, and became a mounted policeman. During this time he developed an interest in the dressage. When the horse he was riding was retired, he was allowed to select a replacement and he chose Goldstern, who he educated, and on whom he won a bronze medal – and team gold – at the 1992 Games. He was also a member of the gold medal winning team at the Atlanta Games.

As coach, he took the German team to team gold at the Sydney Games. He resigned as German team coach in 2001, and took up the role of coach of the American dressage team. He resigned this position in 2008 but remains highly in demand by many of the world’s top dressage competitors.

Publications

Klaus Balkenhol – The Man and his Methods (2007) by Britta Schoffmann

Klaus Balkenhol – Success with Sympathic Hands (2009)

http://www.balkenhol.org