End of the Year Questions
During the Christmas holidays Eurodressage's most popular "End of the Year Questions" series returns to the website. We have asked the most important dressage figures of 2011, and that can include riders, trainers, judges, journalists and other prominent dressage personalities, to review the year 2011.
This Q&A session gives the interviewees the opportunity to look back on their equestrian year 2011 as well give you an idea of their interests outside the horse world.
Check out 2011 End of the Year Questions - Part I
 Frank KempermanThe Netherlands FEI Dressage Committee Chair |
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| For me personally the CHIO Aachen was, of course, the equestrian highlight of the year. It is every year again fantastic to see how the public, riders, media, sponsors are positive about our event. We have a great team preparing the event and it is every time again a pleasure if our guests like the event. Second best was the European Championships in Rotterdam where we saw great sport, including drama and success, which make the sport so interesting.. |
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| I think the financial crisis in the world will have an important place in the history books for 2011. It is not understandable at all how the world is creating an economic crisis. I cannot understand how countries are ruined by bad management from their political leaders. Other countries have to pay for it and almost nothing changes in the concerned countries.. |
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| The worst tv product I have ever seen is “big brother”: how can people produce such a bad product, how can people look to it ? What I like in TV is news and background programs and of course equestrian sport. Here FEI TV is doing something good, because you can follow many events in this way. I listen radio only in my car, and here I switch from one broadcaster to the other, only with the goal to hear news. |
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| Best book: I like the books of John Grisham but I have only time to read a book during holiday. Best movie: A few weeks ago I saw the film “Australia” again and this is still one of my favorite films. Best concert: The concert I like most “ horses and symphony” in the Deutsche Bank stadium the first CHIO weekend. It is every time a nice experience to bring horses and music together. With the item Italia we had a very nice evening with classic music and many horses. |
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| The most important task will be to bring the dressage community more together. Many people have many different ideas and are first thinking on their own interests. I hope the dressage stakeholders will have a better communication and understands that in all our live we have to accept compromises. It is the task of the Dressage Committee to collect all opinions and to take the best possible decisions for the sport. Sometimes you like it and sometimes not. I hope more people are prepared to do something for their own sport and show their interest and participate at the meetings.. |
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| I hope we get a normal and successful year regarding politics and especially the economic situation will be better again. I also wish that there is less criminality and people have respect for other lives or belongings. Regarding the sport I hope we will have Olympic Games without incidents and interesting equestrian sport. |
 Anne Gribbons U.S.A. O-judge, U.S. Dressage Technical Advisor |
Most important event in your equestrian life in 2011? |
| The Pan American Games where our American riders, in addition to the team gold, captured all three individual medals in a historic first. |
Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2011? |
| The most important trend is the acceptance by the dressage riders of the safety helmet as displayed by our top riders as well as by Isabell Werth with her "golden helmet". The FEI Dressage Committee made it mandatory for juniors and has discussed expanding the rule to seniors in warm-up, as it is in the U.S.A. |
Best and worst tv and radio show |
| My TV watching is such a rare occurrence I have nothing to base my opinion on, unless you count the news. Over here they are 80% about the presidential election politics which is a real bore. |
Best book, play, concert, movie and CD |
| Best book and movie: The Help. The movie was very good but as usual the book was better! Best CD: "The inside story" , an account of the inside erosion of world economy that sets your teeth on edge. |
What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2012? |
| Continued cooperation and positive dialogue between riders, judges and organizers . We are starting to communicate better, but in my present position working intensely with the athletes and also being an International judge I can see we still have some work to do. |
What do you wish for in 2012? |
| Great American horses and riders to challenge those fabulous European combinations in London, where we are likely to see some new records set. Good health and fair treatment for all. |
 Nathalie zu Sayn-Wittgenstein Denmark Danish team Olympian, 2011 world cup reserve champion |
Most important event in your equestrian life in 2011? |
| The 2011 World Cup Finals in Leipzig, where I got second place!!! |
Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2011? |
| The earthquake, tsunami and atomic catastrophy in Japan. |
Best and worst tv and radio show |
| Best TV: Two and a half men Worst TV: All those different casting shows Radio: Don't listen to radio so much |
Best book, play, concert, movie and CD |
| Best book: The Kite Runner Best movie: It's Complicated Do not have the time to go to a concert/play |
What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2012? |
| More openness and transparency in the judging. |
What do you wish for in 2012? |
| Health and happiness for my family, friends and horses. |
 Michael Erdmann Germany Kur composer Isabell Werth, Patrik Kittel, etc. |
Most important event in your equestrian life in 2011? |
| The German Masters in Stuttgart because we produced a very emotional Music for Satchmo´s retirement Kur |
Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2011? |
| The many natural catastrophies are frightening. |
Best and worst tv and radio show |
| Best Tv: All shows with Stefan Raab Worst tv: All documantary soaps |
Best book, play, concert, movie and CD |
| Best Movie: "Poll" with German Actor Richy Müller as well as movies with Jason Statham |
What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2012? |
| Super suitable freestyle music with maximum notes for the musical interpretation. For freestyle music that doesn't suit the horses: notes of 1, 2 or 3 for the musical interpretation!! |
What do you wish for in 2012? |
| to see my wife Marina competing at the 2012 Paralympics in London |
 Ulla Salzgeber Germany German Dressage Team Olympian |
Most important event in your equestrian life in 2011? |
| Every training session with my students in which I can see that this equestrian life never ends. Winning the 5*-star World Dressage Masters in Munich this year with Herzruf`s Erbe. |
Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2011? |
| The most important thing in 2011 for me is the change in economic and political interpretation and some fear of what may happen. |
Best and worst tv and radio show |
| I'm not able to say, what's best and worst on tv and radio. I only watch and hear that programs to my interest. Maybe they are worse, it doesn`t matter. Taste is varied, and this is quiet good. |
Best book, play, concert, movie and CD |
| Best book: "Kind 44" by Tom R. Smith. Available in French and English! Best play: "Tarzan" with music by Phil Collins Best movie: "In Time": Fitting the world today Best CD: "Best side of life" by Sarah Connar |
What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2012? |
| That the beauty of our sport will get to the foreground again. |
What do you wish for in 2012? |
| Life in peace, soundness for humans and animals, clean and fair sport and fun, and may be able to be part of the Olympic Games 2012 in London. |
Related Links
End of the Year Questions and Answers 2010
End of the Year Questions and Answers 2009
End of the Year Questions and Answers 2008
End of the Year Questions and Answers 2006
