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 2012, and that can include riders, trainers, judges, journalists and other prominent dressage personalities, to review the year 2012.
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 2012 End of the Year Questions - Part I
Check out 2012 End of the Year Questions - Part II
 Katrina WüstGermany O-judge |
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| The 2012 World Cup Final in s’Hertogenbosch |
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| The political participation of an intellectual class in the Middle East with hopefully a peaceful and consensual final outcome. |
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| Best TV: Opening Celebration of the Olympic Games (even though it seemed pretty costly) Worst TV: Champions League Final: Bayern Munich vs. Chelsea London (which I want to forget as soon as possible) |
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Best movie: The Intouchables |
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| I would love to have a clearer system to assess the artistic marks in freestyle performances, e.g. a catalogue of difficulties that would be helpful for riders, traines and judges. |
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| That Europe overcomes the social challenges we are currently facing, and that chances rather then threats will once again be more emphasised when talking about the European Idea! |
 Hans Christian Matthiesen Denmark FEI Dressage Committee Member, I-judge |
Most important event in your equestrian life in 2012? |
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The greatest experience in 2012 was clearly the Olympics and Paralympics in London, and the warm support from the British people. |
Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2012? |
| The re-lection of President Obama and continued focus on the world's environmental problems. |
Best and worst tv and radio show |
| Best TV: Re-broadcast of the popular series "Matador" in Denmark Worst radio: The bad Australian radio host joke about the pregnancy of the English crown princess |
Best book, play, concert, movie and CD |
| Best book: I always listen to audiobooks when I'm driving. Latest book Jan Guillou's trilogy about Europe in the 1900's |
What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2013? |
| Work to improve co-operation between stakeholder groups and the official FEI. There is still room for improvement in many areas, but the clarity of decision-making processes are important. |
What do you wish for in 2013? |
| I hope the Danish organizers of the European Championships will arrange a fantastic and memorable championship, and I am sure they will. |
 Alice Collins Great Britain Journalist for Horse and Hound |
Most important event in your equestrian life in 2012? |
| The London Olympics and Paralympics — by far |
Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2012? |
| The Euro crisis, global recession and Obama'a re-election. |
Best and worst tv and radio show |
| Best TV: The Killing, Borgen & Homeland (impossible to choose) Best radio: BBC Radio 4 Worst TV: X Factor |
Best book, play, concert, movie and CD |
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Best play: Jez Butterworth's The River |
What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2013? |
| For the British to build better bridges and support networks for identifying and producing talented young horses through the ranks and a streamlining of the almost 100 passport issuing authorities in the UK — it's a mad number and it's no wonder many British breeders still elect to passport their horses with foreign studbooks. |
What do you wish for in 2013? |
| For British dressage to continue on its stellar trajectory — whether we lose our Olympic horses or not. Oh, and of course peace, love and happiness for everyone. |
 Siril Helljesen Norway Olympic dressage rider |
Most important event in your equestrian life in 2012? |
| The Olympic Games. It was wonderful experience and really well organized. I was the first Norwegian rider to qualify for an Olympic Games in almost 60 years. A very proud moment. I also loved the CDI Hagen "Horses and Dreams" show. Great atmosphere and top sport. |
Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2012? |
| The great success of the Olympic Games for both Britain and the rest of the sporting world. One of the most successful summer Games ever held. The re-election of Barack Obama The Nobel peace prize for the European Union: a peaceful development over decades on the european continent |
Best and worst tv and radio show |
| Best TV: I enjoy following a show called "Norwegian talents". I also follow some sit coms Worst TV: I switch channel every time something bad comes on tv. |
Best book, play, concert, movie and CD |
| Best book: I only read books (novels) when I'm away on holiday and since it's been many years since I went on holiday, there hasn't been much book reading lately. I do like to pick up the lovely book "Dressage Dreams" by Stephen Clarke every now and then. I really enjoy reading and learning about the story behind top horses and riders and reading about different systems and theory. Best radio: We have the local radio playing in background in the stable and in the indoor school. It's news and music. A good mix. Best concert; Rihanna in Oslo Best movie: Skyfall |
What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2013? |
| The championship format should be changed. If possible, keep the team competition over two days, but make a more equal possibility for the the individual riders to go forward to the Special. |
What do you wish for in 2013? |
| I wish for a happy, healthy and successful year for my family, friends, my horses and myself. A continual trend on the lighter style of riding which is very much appreciated by the riding public. |
 Victoria Max-Theurer Austria Olympic dressage rider |
Most important event in your equestrian life in 2012? |
| The Olympics in London: my third in a row Being the most successful rider at the CHIO Aachen and the successful and fun partnership with the Wittig family. |
Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2012? |
| For sure the many political problems and rebellions in parts of the world. |
Best and worst tv and radio show |
| Best Tv: "Schlag den Raab" Worst TV: I don't watch bad television |
Best book, play, concert, movie and CD |
| Best book: Todesfrist Best movie: Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Stieg Larsson Trilogy |
What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2013? |
| After having seen how many people dressage attracted at the Olympics it would be great to have so much interest in many other show all over the world. |
What do you wish for in 2013? |
| Health for my family, friends, my horses and me. To further improve my riding and horses. |
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