End of the Year Questions and Answers 2008

Interviews

End of the Year Questions

Now that the end of the year is rapidly approaching, Eurodressage asked several international riders, judges and journalists to review their year briefly and highlight what they considered the most important evolutions and happenings in their personal and professional life.

Adelinde Cornelissen The Netherlands Dutch Olympic Team Reserve Rider and "Shooting Star of The Year"
Most important event in your equestrian life in 2008?	In 2008 I rode in Aachen for the first time in my life, which was very special. Especially, because I ended up right after Isabell Werth three times in a row. But of course the last two shows, Stockholm and Londen, have also been a great success! My first World Cup qualifiers and winning both of them: Amazing!
Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2008?	2008, year of the Olympics. Always something special!
Best and worst tv and radio show	TV: I don't watch a lot of TV. So the worst I wouldn't know...the best would probably be "De lama's:" stand up comedy. Radio: Lately I have been listening a lot to 100%NL, but I also like Skyradio and Q-music.
Best book, play, concert, movie and CD	I went to Riverdance in theatre. It is really amazing what they do! Wow, lots of respect! Wonderful!
What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2009?	They are already really busy trying to improve the judging system. I think it is a good thing that people are working on improving things. Make sure everything is the best we can do: riding, judging, ...
What do you wish for in 2009?	Of course we all hope to stay healthy. So do I. In riding I want to improve even more and get the best out of me and my horse Parzival!

Dr. Ulf Möller Germany P.S.I. Sales Manager, Multiple Bundeschampion and World Young Horse Championship medallist
Most important event in your equestrian life in 2008?	Like every year the World Championships for Young horses, because it is so difficult to qualify for Germany.
Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2008?	The development of "Live Streaming" of horse shows on the internet and especially the efforts of CP Medien for the Median Cup. This makes us independent from television.
Best and worst tv and radio show	Worst: Dschungel Camp Best: Broadcasting Olympic Horse Sport on German TV
Best book, play, concert, movie and CD	Book: Ken Follet's "Die Säulen der Erde" Concert: Herbert Grönemeyer CD: Coldplay
What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2008?	That the revolution for judging, which is developed and tested by the P.S.I. people, will be accepted by judges.
What do you wish for in 2009?	Health for the family, success for the clients, friendship for the friends

Vincenzo Truppa Italy Olympic judge and former member of the FEI Dressage Committee Photo courtesy: Berni Saunders
Most important event in your equestrian life in 2008?	The CDI Stuttgart and my daughter Valentina winning the FEI Young Riders World Cup last year in Frankfurt
Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2008?	The financial economical crisis which will have an impact on all sectors including horse world
Best and worst tv and radio show	There are many good shows, but the worst are reality shows like the Big Brother!
Best book, play, concert, movie and CD	Best Book and Movie: The Bourne Identity
What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2009?	I would like to see a more romantic view of dresssage, rather than the "paranoid" interpretation of scoring which is, unfortunately, often present.
What do you wish for in 2009?	First of all: good health for myself and my family and some success in sport and profession, though a good health, I think, remains the most important

Eugene and Patrick Reesink The Netherlands Stallion ownerq, horse dealerq, founders and managers of Reesink Horses
Most important event in your equestrian life in 2008?	The 2008 Olympic Games and our Ampere winning the 2008 Stallion Performance Test for dressage horses
Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2008?	The financial crisis and Barack Obama becoming the next president of the U.S.A.
Best and worst tv and radio show	Best TV: Pauw en Witteman Worst TV: anything with presenter Gordon.
Best book, play, concert, movie and CD	"Komt een Vrouw bij de Dokter" by Kluun
What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2009?	The judges system. Why not scratch the highest and the lowest score?
What do you wish for in 2009?	A good health, lots of luck and many beautiful horses

Constance Menard France French Grand Prix Dressage Team Rider
Most important event in your equestrian life in 2008?	The CDI Cannes and CDI Lyon, both world class quality shows
Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2008?	The economic crack in September
Best and worst tv and radio show	Best radio: France Info Best TV: Equidia
Best book, play, concert, movie and CD	Book: "L'ombre du Vent" by Carlos Ruiz Zafon CD: Amy Winehouse's "Back to Black"
What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2009?	More Fair Play and no politics
What do you wish for in 2009?	All the best for the horses and the riders

Courtney King-Dye USA U.S. Olympic Team Rider
Most important event in your equestrian life in 2008?	Well, that's an easy one. The Olympics!!! A lifelong dream turned into reality. Kind of.
Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2008?	Obama. Thank goodness, and God bless.... The World! :-)
Best and worst tv and radio show	I don't watch very much TV or listen to the radio very much. Best: I like CSI (Vegas), House, The Daily Show, most Poker shows, and American Idol. Worst: I don't know how anyone can watch the other CSI's. I hate Seinfeld, The Colbert Report, and most other TV shows. Radio, no real idea. I like NPR. .
Best book, play, concert, movie and CD	Book: I loved, to an unhealthy extent, the Twilight Series. Also loved Dune, although that's not new, and Enders Game. Concert: U2 CD: Garden State Movie: can't remember the last time I went to one. Liked "Ratatouille" on TV!
What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2009?	For everyone in the sport to get back to basics. We are in this world because A) We love horses (most important) and B) We love sport. We are not politicians. We should ride our horses to the best of our abilities, respect them and care for them above all else. And compete so that the best pair on the day wins, straightforward. Simplify things; get back to basics and stay true the spirit of our sport. I would like for everyone involved to ground themselves with these core values we all share.
What do you wish for in 2009?	Less controversy. More cohesiveness in the sport in general. A turn in the economoy (for the better, of course). Many good rides. Many good times in the sun with friends and family. A litter of puppies. World Peace... did that go a step too far?

Marlies van Baalen The Netherlands Dutch A-team Grand Prix rider Photo courtesy: sjoert.com
Most important event in your equestrian life in 2008?	Besides being part of the Dutch Olympic squadron, it would have to be the Dutch Championships in Eindhoven where I finished 5th with BMC Kigali. Kigali is a very special horse to me, he is extremely intelligent and I simply love riding him. We are a real team. The first 12 years of his life, he was a show jumper with lots of success and therefore he is still very young in dressage and very eager to learn. He has a great character and it was fantastic to score around 70% three times during the Championships.
Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2008?	My wedding in September was my personal highlight of the year. We had a fabulous day! Looking at the world in general, the financial crisis cannot be left unmentioned because it will undoubtedly affect a lot of people, both within and outside the dressage world.
Best and worst tv and radio show	I don't watch tv very often nor do I listen to the radio very much. However, in the morning, I listen to the breakfast show of Edwin Evers on the Dutch radio channel Radio 538, which is a very good start of the day. I couldn't say anything about the worst tv or radio show, simply because I won't tune in on something I don't want to watch or listen to…
Best book, play, concert, movie and CD	The best book is of course my own book "Dressage with Marlies", haha! My favourite CD of this year is of a great Dutch singer, Trijntje Oosterhuis. The CD is titled "who'll speak for love" and contains songs written by Burt Bacharach. A great "jazzy" sound which is complemented by the tones of the Dutch Metropole Orchestra.
What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2009?	In the past couple of months, there have been a lot of discussions and publications about the judging in the dressage world. I fully support the fact that changes should be made one way or the other, but I hope that all the negative energy involving this discussion is turned into cooperation and joint efforts to take our sports forward and to ensure that it continues to be an Olympic sport for the future.
What do you wish for in 2009?	Happiness, healthiness and lots of good results in the sport with three great Grand Prix horses in our stables ( BMC Kigali, BMC Ojay and BMC Phoebe) I am very much looking forward to next year!

Monica Theodorescu Germany German Olympic Team Reserve Rider and former FEI Dressage Committee member
Most important event in your equestrian life in 2008?	The Olympic Games in Hongkong. It was a great experience even as the reserve rider of our team. There were many very emotional moments.
Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2008?	The election of Barack Obama and the financial crisis.
Best and worst tv and radio show	If I watch TV, it is mostly sports, because there are many „worst“ TV shows.
Best book, play, concert, movie and CD	Best book: „Der Chinese“ by Henning Mankell. Best movie: „Das Leben der Anderen“. Best CD: Amy Whinehouse. I didn`t have much time for concerts.
What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2009?	I would like to see prize money in dressage competitions the same in jumping competitions, which will be even harder to ask for this in times of a financial crisis.
What do you wish for in 2009?	Good health for my family, especially my mother, and my horses.

Mary Phelps USA Equine Insurance Agent, Photographer, founder of Horsesdaily.com, Dressagedaily.com and Phelpsphotos.com
Most important event in your equestrian life in 2008?	I have to say this year, it was The Nashoba Carriage Classic where I competed with my pony Master's Bonnie Buddy, and won the Novice Championship! All those years of watching everyone else sweat out the competition paid off. It was so much fun, I could not wipe the smile off of my face.
Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2008?	Barack Obama being elected the President of the United States.
Best and worst tv and radio show	Best TV: I loved Lipstick Jungle Best Radio: my favorite radio station ever ishttp://www.ridingthewave.com, our local country radio station here in south central Kentucky. The morning swap shop is a hoot, people trading calves, looking for old engines, and selling stuff cheap. Just heard of a brand new 4 horse Featherlight Trailer for $3500!
Best book, play, concert, movie and CD	Book: Tami Hoag's "Alibi Man," where her character helps to solve the mystery by researching on our website horsesdaily.com. Nesy Concert: Just saw Lyle Lovett at the American Association of Equine Practitioners, and it was awesome!
What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2008?	More giving back. Most of us are very blessed to be living the lives we live, and as a member of the board of directors of the Equestrian Aid Foundation, we hope to raise awareness and funds to cover the $300,000 in annual expenses we provide helping injured and sick members of the equestrian world who need out help.
What do you wish for in 2009?	This year we all are stepping up our work towards the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in 2010, where America and Kentucky will have the opportunity to return the hospitality to our Euro friends who have set the example for making Equestrian Sport a world class event for everyone. Happy Holidays to everyone, be safe and happy, and treat your horses with love and respect.

Diederik van Silfhout The Netherlands European Young Rider Champion and winner of the 2008 FEI Young Rider World Cup Finals in Frankfurt
Most important event in your equestrian life in 2008?	The European Young Rider Championships in Portugal
Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2008?	The recession. We live in such an insecure world.
Best and worst tv and radio show	Worst TV: The Bold and The Beautiful Best TV: Ik Hou van Holland. Worst Radio: Radio 1 Slechste radio radio 1 . Leuke radio Best Radio: Radio 538
Best book, play, concert, movie and CD	I don't read much so I don't have a favourite book but the best concert was "Toppers" and the best movie "Blood Diamond". The best CD was "Best of 2008."
What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2009?	Instead of deriding each other's riding style, I wish that people would look more positively to one other and use and respect the positive sides of certain training methods.
What do you wish for in 2009?	A successful year with many hightlights, but also a good health and much happiness.

Wayne Channon Great Britain British Grand Prix rider and member of the FEI Doping and Medication Committee
Most important event in your equestrian life in 2008?	The rebalancing of the FEI Dressage Committee to better represent all stakeholders in dressage.
Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2008?	The global financial crisis.
Best and worst tv and radio show	Best TV was X-Factor and Dog Borstal. Worst: any soap.
Best book, play, concert, movie and CD	Best book: "The God Delusion" by Richard Dawkins and Andrew McLean’s "The Truth about Horses" Best movie: Quantum of Solace or The Dark Knight. Both super well made.
What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2009?	We need a better, more consistent system of judging.
What do you wish for in 2009?	Stability in global financial markets That people become more aware that we are running out of oil so we have greater energy efficiency Greater public awareness of the benefits of stem cells Good health for my family and friends – both human and equine!

Cees Slings The Netherlands Musician, renowned kur composer and arranger
Most important event in your equestrian life in 2008?	And standing there, at her horse’s side, Was a girl who had shown me the perfect way to ride... Not one event specially, but I worked this year with some of the most lovely and talented dressage riders like Vicky Max Theurer, Evi Strasser and Beatriz Ferrer-Salat. We started (and finished) new freestyles compositions and they did what they had to do with it; improving their skills in this part of dressage and winning with it. Also I enjoyed the European Young and Junior riders Championships in Portugal when young riders performed the freestyle, there's a lot of potential but also a lot to improve on this level, not only the music and music-productions but also the musical 'skills' of these riders when they perform their freestyle.
Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2008?	The implementation and realization of EQ-Musync ®©: a new complete measuring instrument for Freestyle dressage. It will wipe away all "grey areas" of adjudication : subjectivity versus objectivity; relation to musical taste; lack of knowledge of music and rhythm; evaluation of synchronicity and harmony between the horse and rider. All these unquantifiables dissappear with EQ-Musync ®©(equestrian music synchronisation).
Best and worst tv and radio show	Because we lived in Spain for the last 8 month's and my Spanish is still not good enough to understand much of Spanish television I missed a lot (or not), except the news perhaps because you already know what it's about, hahaha.
Best book, play, concert, movie and CD	Book & Concert - We didn't have time this year to go to any concerts or read any books. Play - War Horse, by National Theatre (UK) - based on a novel by Michael Morpurgo Movie - (watching the DVD's on our Mac's you mean ;-) The Dark Night, No Country for Old Men, Foyle's War (the last 6 episodes) CD('s) - New Cool Collective (Benjamin Herman) - Out of Office, Hercules & Love Affair (a project of producers Andrew Butler & Tim Goldsworthy), Santogold - Santogold
What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2009?	A stricter control and implementation of our copyrights by organistations such as Buma-Stemra, Gema, Sabam etc. Original & commissioned works are still being released on CD's & DVD's without the authors being paid. Also the large competitions are still not paying rights - happily Gema has started to deal with this. There are several law suits pending; we will await the results. Gema & Buma-Stemra are currently following up on thousands of illegally made DVD's including the World Equestrian Games 2006.
What do you wish for in 2009?	To get EQ-Musync ®© further developed.. We are already a long way but we need to test and refine further. This will cost time, expertise and money. An improvement in the quality of adjudication in the Freestyle event. With the EQ-Musync ®© protocol there will be a measurable result available; this will make the work of the FEI taskforce much easier and will free them up for other improvements. I would like to fulfill a long-term wish : a composition for one of the world's best Ballerinas, Veronika Part

Joop van Uytert The Netherlands Stallion owner of Van Uytert Stallion Station, one of the largest breeding facilities in The Netherlands.
Most important event in your equestrian life in 2008?	The 2008 Olympic Games
Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2008?	The financial crisis
Best and worst tv and radio show	There are many good and bad programmes.
Best book, play, concert, movie and CD	Best Book: I read many horse magazines Best Concert: Madonna, it was fantastic!
What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2009?	5 judges in the dressage ring with the highest and lowest score scratched
What do you wish for in 2009?	A good health and much success

Elisabeth Max-Theurer Austria Former Olympic Gold Medallist, Member of the FEI Dressage Task Force
Most important event in your equestrian life in 2008?	The 2008 CHIO Aachen and CDI Stuttgart
Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2008?	The election of Barack Obama in the U.S.A.
What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2009?	A better co-operationg between riders, trainers, judges and show organizers in the benefit of the horse.
What do you wish for in 2009?	A good health for my family and horses.

Richard Davison Great Britain FEI Dressage Task Force Member, British Dressage Team Captain and Grand Prix rider
Most important event in your equestrian life in 2008?	The Olympics and the Paralympics. There are too many inspirational moments to single out one achievement but it’s brilliant to see people reaching and exceeding their dreams and aspirations.
Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2008?	The global financial situation. The bursting of the credit bubble may have been inevitable but the irresponsibility and alleged fraud behind the scenes is hard to take in.
Best and worst tv and radio show	TV: ‘Spooks’ is good. I don’t have a view on the worst TV, why would I ? Iif I don’t like watching it I just change channel and leave those who enjoy it to get on with it.
Best book, play, concert, movie and CD	Best book – Tami Hoag’s latest "Alibi Man" – I am her greatest fan on this side of the Atlantic. So come on Tami send me a signed copy and can’t you find room for a hunky young English dressage rider like me in your next novel - why should Guenter and Robert get all the kudos ? Concert for Pavarotti in Petra in aid of Afghanistan refugees and the UN World Food Programme (WFP). Best movie: Batman (The Dark Night) Best CD: Kings of Leon (Only by the night).
What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2009?	Developing our sport is on-going; it means building on the good and not being afraid to change the bits that aren't working well enough. Its hard to single out one aspect but currently I believe judges are getting an increasingly unfair deal. They get a lot of critiscm that is due to factors beyond their individual control. It’s the judging systems; the tasks, the evaluation and the regulation that should come under more scrutiny and not the integrity of the judges themselves.
What do you wish for in 2009?	Health, happiness and success for my family and friends. And I hope everyone survives the credit crunch.

Michael Erdmann Germany Kur composer of the German Olympic Team riders
Most important event in your equestrian life in 2008?	The Olympic Games, for which many expensive kur productions were made.
Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2008?	The change in views the Americans created with the election of their new president.
Best and worst tv and radio show	Best TV: Animal Documentaries Worst TV: Pop Stars and Next Top Model
Best book, play, concert, movie and CD	Best Book: "Die Analogen Hitmaschinen" by arl-Hermann von Behren Best Movie: "Quadrophenia" and "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" Best CD: Del Amitri / Nothing ever happens
What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2008?	More clarity in the judging of freestyle and more appealing kurs to music for the audience.
What do you wish for in 2009?	People to be more happy and content.

Evi Strasser Canada Canadian Olympic team reserve rider.
Most important event in your equestrian life in 2008?	Showing in Europe in general was the best thing. I love the shows and the competitions and the challenge of competing against the best
Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2008?	Barack Obama was a highlight to me; I'm so happy that America is going this direction.
Best and worst tv and radio show	Best TV: Holmes on Homes: it's a program in Canada. They fix the houses of people who got screwd from bad and false contractors. I love how he rebuilds houses which are really badly done. He helps a lot of people Worst TV: I don't know since I don't watch much TV
Best book, play, concert, movie and CD	I only watch movies on the plaen, since that is the only time I have to sit. Best movies: Love Actually, Mamma Mia; I love both.
What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2009?	I would love that the judges would judge what they see, which would have that we would have many different winners. This would be good for the sport, the best performance would win on this day
What do you wish for in 2009?	I wish for much health and happiness. Success to my family, friends, competitors and animals for the year 2009 and be fair to all

Sanneke Rothenberger Germany European Junior Rider Champion
Most important event in your equestrian life in 2008?	The European Junior Rider Championships in Azeitao (POR)
Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2008?	The voting for the new american president, Barack Obama
Best and worst tv and radio show	Best TV show: Grey's Anatomy Worst TV show: Tatort Best Radio: FFH Worst Radio: WDR1
Best book, play, concert, movie and CD	Best Book: Twilight Series Best Movie: Bodygaurd Best CD: "Looking through the eyes of a child" - Reamonn
What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2009?	Actually I don't want to see many changes in the dressage world in 2009
What do you wish for in 2009?	I wish for 2009, that everyone stays healthy (family , friends, and animals)

Kristy Oatley Australia Australian Olympic Team Rider
Most important event in your equestrian life in 2008?	Wining the Kur at CDI Braunschweig. Being on the Australian team for the Olympics
Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2008?	Barack Obama being elected president.
Best and worst tv and radio show	Best TV: Love 'Desperate Housewives'
Best book, play, concert, movie and CD	The funny kids books that I get to read every night
What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2009?	I would like the old Grand Prix test from 2000 to come back
What do you wish for in 2009?	Health for my family and others and happy horses!!

Fiona Bigwood Great Britain British Grand Prix Team Rider
Most important event in your equestrian life in 2008?	2008 was quiet for me after losing Mr G but I would have to say Dramatic winning the 6 yr old World Breeding championships and Anders [Fiona's partner Anders Dahl] being the reserve rider for the Danish Olympic team.
Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2008?	The financial crisis. So many people have been affected and I think in 2009 the situation will get even worse.
Best and worst tv and radio show	I have spent much driving time listening to BFBS radio station which keeps you up to date with all the happenings in the U.K when you are abroad. Best TV: I would have to say Dragons Den and Top Gear are great programs.
Best book, play, concert, movie and CD	At the moment the only books I am reading are for my daughter. I have not been to the theater or cinema for ages. Having 2 children changes your social outings!
What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2009?	That I am back on the ranking list with my new horse! and that each country can have 4 riders which are allowed to compete at the Olympics.
What do you wish for in 2009?	To be competing internationally again and to ride in Windsor at the Europeans. I have really missed the shows. I also hope for good health for my family,friends and horses.