End of the Year Questions
One of Eurodressage's most favoured series is back. With the end of the year rapidly approaching, the time has come to ask some riders, trainers, judges, journalists and other prominent dressage personalities to review the year 2010. With their answers they can point out what they considered the most important evolutions and happenings in their
personal and professional life.
Read the first group of End of the Year Q&A 2010
Read the second group of End of the Year Q&A 2010
 Ghislain FouargeThe Netherlands O-judge |
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| Of course the World Equestrian Games despite all its problems |
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| Fortunately the expected economical double dip, which would have brought many people to the brink of destruction, has not taken place. |
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| Best Tv: I prefer English detective series Worst Tv: Boer zoekt vrouw |
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| Best book: the Millennium trilogy by Stieg Larsson Best movie: Roman Polanski's The Pianist Best concert: operas by Puccini Best CD: Jacques Brel |
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| I think the extensive polarisation between stakeholders is concerning. I wish for more understanding and respect for each other so that the sport can be put first again. |
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| More respect for nature and the creatures on earth, including horses |
 Fiona Bigwood Great Britain British WEG team silver medallist |
Most important event in your equestrian life in 2010? |
| It has to be coming home with a team silver medal from WEG. As a team we all got on so well and had the most amazing time and to ride in the Kur was the icing on the cake. |
Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2010? |
| This winter's weather is a bit concerning but let's hope it is not going to be a regular thing. I also think that the financial crisis has affected so many people and made this year so hard for them so I hope it is coming to an end in 2011. |
Best and worst tv and radio show |
| Best radio: I normally end up listening to LBC on the radio which is a talk station for London. People can have the strangest views on various topics and it amuses/interests me to hear them. Best Tv: I enjoy watching stand up comedians on "Live at the Apollo" or similar programs. Worst Tv: anything that involves violence. Poor Anders is always being asked to change channel! |
Best book, play, concert, movie and CD |
| I can honestly say that unfortunately I have not had time for any of these this year. The only CD's I have listened to are nursery rhymes in Danish on the trips to school in my car!! |
What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2011? |
| I would like to see riders, judges and trainers working together to improve our sport and not trying to find blame with each other. To find sponsors for our sport we must be united and work as one. |
What do you wish for in 2011? |
| I wish for a happy and healthy year for my friends and family and for myself, I would love to have a quieter, calmer year than 2010, which has been non-stop especially with all the building works that has been going on. |
 Jan Brink Sweden International Dressage Trainer |
Most important event in your equestrian life in 2010? |
| The Swedish Championship, where my junior and young rider students received two gold medals and a silver medal. And the 2010 European JR/YR Championship in Kronberg at the Schafhof, where I had three students and it was a wonderful event. |
Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2010? |
| The WEG in Kentucky and Kyra Kyrklund elected as chair for the International Dressage Riders Club (IDRC) |
Best and worst tv and radio show |
| Do not like TV shows – I do not have the time to watch them and Radio I mostly just have in the background while riding as environmental training for the horses. |
Best book, play, concert, movie and CD |
| Best movie: I have just seen The Holiday – not a new movie but a very nice Christmas movie Best CD: Shakira's The Sun Comes Out (Sale e Sol) |
What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2011? |
| To have riders, trainers and judges on the same track when it comes to evaluating good horses and riding. |
What do you wish for in 2011? |
| One more child would be great |
 Enzo Truppa Italy O-judge |
Most important event in your equestrian life in 2010? |
| Judging the 2010 World Cup Final in 's Hertogenbosch |
Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2010? |
| The feeling we can all see the light at the end of the tunnel of the economical crisis |
Best and worst tv and radio show |
| I am not a tv-fan |
Best book, play, concert, movie and CD |
| Best book: Ken Follet's Fall of Giants Best concert: 1st January concert in Vienna |
What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2011? |
| A better communication amongst stakeholders |
What do you wish for in 2011? |
| Olympic qualification for my daughter Valentina and most of all good health |
 Karen Robinson Canada Journalist, blogger, kur designer |
Most important event in your equestrian life in 2010? |
| No contest: the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky |
Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2010? |
| Increased transparency – and therefore accountability – in everything from world politics to the dressage world, thanks to the internet and a new attitude toward access to information (except in countries like China of course). If you said it, you own it! |
Best and worst tv and radio show |
| Best TV: I don’t watch a lot of TV but I absolutely love "So You Think You Can Dance" Worst TV: Sarah Palin’s Alaska and any program that condones or glorifies Sarah and her attitudes (which are not sufficiently evolved to be called ‘philosophy’ or ‘ideology’) Best radio: almost everything on Canada’s national network, CBC. Worst radio: anything on Horse Radio Network that features the annoying voice of Glen the Geek. |
Best book, play, concert, movie and CD |
| Best book: The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga (fiction) or Driving Like Crazy by PJ O’Rourke (nonfiction) Best play: ashamed to admit I didn’t get to any plays this year Best concert: Canadian guitarist Jesse Cooke Best CD: In Situ by Buscemi |
What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2011? |
| I would like to see the judging community make an honest, committed effort to do a better job of understanding how to assess the artistic marks in freestyles, particularly music interpretation and difficulty. |
What do you wish for in 2011? |
| For dressage: a continued surge in the sport’s public image thanks to the growing number of ‘star’ riders and horses that come from more than one nation or continent. For myself: more time to spend riding, traveling, reading and having quality time with my husband and dog! |
More End of the Year questions and answers coming soon!
Related Links
End of the Year Questions and Answers 2009
End of the Year Questions and Answers 2008