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
Check out 2011 End of the Year Questions - Part II
 Ingmar DevosBelgium FEI Secretary-General |
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| For me personally, the most important event in 2011 was undoubtedly the fact that I was appointed as FEI Secretary General. After 20 years with the Belgian Equestrian Federation this is really a great professional and personal challenge and one which I took on with great enthusiasm. I very much enjoy my work with the FEI professional staff at HQ, my daily contacts with the FEI President, the Executive Board and the Bureau, the National Federations, the many FEI officials and our sponsors and I’m looking forward to a very successful 2012 Olympic year. For the FEI the most important event was the creation of FEI Solidarity based on the Olympic Solidarity model, which will provide assistance to the National Federations, in particular those which have the greatest need. It was launched with the unanimous support of the National Federations in May of this year and the projects that will receive funding through this development programme in 2012 are currently being reviewed. Dressage saw some major changes when the recommendations of the Dressage Task Force were implemented. The education system for Dressage officials was thoroughly reviewed and 30 FEI courses for Dressage officials were held in 2011. A Judges Supervisory Panel was established and for the first time seven judges, instead of five, officiated at important competitions such as the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final in Leipzig (GER) and at the FEI European Dressage Championships in Rotterdam (NED). The use of half marks was implemented at all competition levels.. |
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| As a Belgian citizen I was surprised that after 536 days of negotiations the country finally had a government. I’m not so sure that this is good news however as taxes will soon be going up again. The financial and economic crisis is certainly a matter of concern but let’s not forget that this is nothing compared to the fact that in this sophisticated world people still die from hunger which is clearly unacceptable. |
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| Best TV show: Top Gear especially for the crashes Worst TV show: Come Dine with Me, just disgusting... Best radio show: News Worst radio show: Bad News |
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| Best book: The funniest book I read this year was "The Centenarian Who Climbed Out Through the Window" and "Disappeared" by the Swedish author Jonas Jonasson. It is the story of Allan Karlsson who after a long and eventful life ends up in a nursing home. One day he turns 100 but instead of celebrating as everyone expects him to, he decides to climb out the window. The character takes a trip through the 20th century, meeting the most important and controversial figures such as Stalin, Churchill, Trumann, Mao, Franco, and De Gaulle. Best concert: The only concert I was able to attend was a wonderful Christmas Oratory by Bach in Lausanne in which François, one of our FEI colleagues, was a member of the chorus. Best Movie: "Nothing to Declare": I saw it on a flight. It's a French comedy about the rivalry between Belgian and French customs officers. Best CD 2011: probably the one I will receive from my wife for Christmas. . |
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| I would like to see more peace and harmony between the different actors of this sport. The main Dressage event in 2012 will undoubtedly be the London Olympic Games and this is also a big challenge for the FEI. I hope we can all work together at the Games to promote this fantastic sport.. |
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| I hope that despite the troubled economic climate the many difficulties that are a part of everyday life, and our changing habits and lifestyle, people will still find a moment to engage in sport, to play, to discover the joys of the physical effort and team spirit. |
 Laura Bechtolsheimer Great Britain 2011 European Team gold and Special Bronze medallist, WEG triple silver medallist |
Most important event in your equestrian life in 2011? |
| Winning the FREESTYLE on Mistral at Olympia!! Not the Grand Prix but actually a Freestyle!! |
Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2011? |
| British gold at the 2011 European Dressage Championships in Rotterdam |
Best and worst tv and radio show |
| Best TV: Home and Away Worst TV: Made in Chelsea. |
Best book, play, concert, movie and CD |
| Best book: Alan Paton's Cry, the Beloved Country Best concert: Rihanna Best movie: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II Best CD: Ed Sheeran |
What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2012? |
| I think things are looking pretty good, training and working in looks better than it did a few years ago and the atmosphere at shows is usually good between riders. It would be great if we got more big sponsors for the top shows to heighten the calibre of the top level dressage shows. |
What do you wish for in 2012? |
| To stand on the podium in London in my country's home Games having ridden the tests of my life! |
 Wim Ernes The Netherlands O-judge, KWPN Stallion Selection Committee member |
Most important event in your equestrian life in 2011? |
| There were three major moments of excitement for me in 2011: 1) the Grand Prix Special in Rotterdam where there was a real battle for the victory between Parcival and Uthopia: everybody in the stadium could follow the running scores which was really exciting as the margins were so close up to the end; for me this proved that dressage is a real sport in which riders have to go to the limit of their capacity and take all the risks needed. 2) the Grand Prix in London Olympia where Valegro set a new personal best by going over 81% with a breathtaking ride. 3) the Grand Prix Freestyle of Mistral Hojris in Olympia where he showed a perfect harmony between movements and music. |
Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2011? |
| The fact that we experienced again that our leaders (after recession in 2008/2009) didn’t take their responsibilities and brought us back into a new crisis. |
Best and worst tv and radio show |
| I don’t watch so much TV and when I’m warching I mostly look at sport-, discussion- and news programs. I also like seeing the Voice of Holland in which non-professional singers show how much talent they have. |
Best book, play, concert, movie and CD |
| Best book: I like to read books about people who achieved something special. How do they live; work; think; act; react, etc. I recently read the books about Nina Brink and Dirk Sheringa (both CEO’s of big companies) and I'm going to start reading the biographies of Steve Jobs and Pim Fortuyn (murdered Dutch politician). Best movie: I have planned to go watch new Dutch movie Nova Zembla. |
What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2012? |
| I strongly believe in the “harmony-model”, so if we want to improve the quality of the dressage sport we have to think more in terms of synergy, working together. The basic for this is respect towards each other and to discuss issues in an open-minded way. I think we have already made some steps in the past year(s), but we still have a long way to go. I hope 2012 will bring us further on this road to success. |
What do you wish for in 2012? |
| I only wish for a good health; this is the basis for everybody to be happy. Working to achieve all your other personal goals will bring the rest. |
 Ulf Helgstrand Denmark President Danish Equestrian Federation, European Equestrian Federation |
Most important event in your equestrian life in 2011? |
| The many medals going to Denmark at the European championship for juniors and young riders hosted by Denmark, which is also a result of our talent developing program in cooperation with Ecco |
Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2011? |
| The struggle for democracy in the Middle East and Northen Africa. |
Best and worst tv and radio show |
| Best Tv: Best; Borgen about the danish parlament and how it works with spindoctors etc. Worst tv: All reality shows |
Best book, play, concert, movie and CD |
| Best Play: Beauty and the Beast Best Concert: Copenhagen Show band at my birthdayparty Best Movie: James Bond: Casino Royal (not much time for a movie as you see) Best CD: Lis Sørensen på Kronborg Best Book: Niceville by Kathryn Stockett |
What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2012? |
| Introduction of a series between Prix St Georges and Grand Prix level for the Asian Games and Pan Am Games leading to the Olympics so that a better qualifiction system for the Olympics gets in place. Like that we make ensure globalisation as well as the best possible sport at these events. They also need ultimate media coverage so the possibillity is maintained to improve the popularity of the equestrian sport. |
What do you wish for in 2012? |
| There is so much difference in the demands and expectations in our sport in the different continents of the world. I wish that the FEI will accept this in a new way and make it possible to differentiate more between the continents. The continents should be able to be more independently able to govern and make descisions about their continental sport. The continents should also support development within their continents by a kind of "marriage" between countries that are less developed and more developed what we in the European Equestrian Federation call "brotherhood". Every NF in the world needs development no matter where you stand and we should realize that we are all dependent upon each other. If we all accept this we will get a better equestrian world wide community and this my ultimate wish for our sport. |
 Joost Peters The Netherlands Kur composer |
Most important event in your equestrian life in 2011? |
| Working with Robbie Williams and Guy Chambers on the Musical Freestyle for Richard Davison absolutely was the highlight of my equestrian year. Surprisingly a lot of people working for or with Robbie Williams and Guy Chambers were also riding or interested in horses which resulted in everybody involved being truly enthusiastic and cooperative. I think the freestyle is really rocking with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra playing my arrangements of Robbie Williams' music. Let’s hope Richard will make it to the Olympics!!!! |
Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2011? |
| I think the European Champions in Rotterdam and the rides there were really surprising and it was the best possible prelude for London 2012. Everything is possible again!!!! Really good for the sport and I think it will get the best out of all riders and other people involved. |
Best and worst tv and radio show |
| To be honest I don’t watch TV a lot and don’t have time listening to the radio. For no reason at all. But when I listen to music, which on most occasions is in my car or in my studio I prefer to listen to music of my own choice. |
Best book, play, concert, movie and CD |
| Best concert: Trijntje Oosterhuis and the Stephan Geusenbroek Band at the 10th anniversary Show of Horse Event. She is such a great singer!!! And Karin Bloemen, who performed at Concert Hippique was the best entertainer I’ve ever worked with. Best CD: the rediscovery of an old 10cc album called Bloody Tourist. Great melodies, great harmonies, great musicians |
What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2012? |
| I think dressage in general is more evolving at the moment than ever before. Though to me it seems that the importance of professional sound systems often is underestimated. If you expect a rider to ride to music you should make sure that, besides providing a good footing and a proper arena, there is a good sound system to play their music on. Often riders do a lot of effort to make the best of their performance and if I’m witnessing a national championship where every (!!) CD skips or sounds distorted I really feel sorry for the riders. It’s an avoidable risk!! And it’s not good for the sport because it is destroys a representative championship. |
What do you wish for in 2012? |
| I personally am very satisfied being blessed with my girlfriend, two beautiful children and some very good friends. I hope that all people in need get what they need and that everybody gets the chance to chase their dreams. |
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