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.
 Adelinde CornelissenThe Netherlands Dutch WEG gold team medal winner |
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| I don't think about events. Improving me and my horse is what is most important to me. |
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| People trying to improve judging system. |
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| I listen to all kinds of music: Dutch, country, classic, dance, pop... |
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| I hardly have any time left for any of those things, so I'm definately not up to date on this! |
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| 2010 has passed. Don't look back and afterwards say what should have been different... |
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| I hope we stay healthy, me and my horses, and have lots of fun and pleasure in what we do. Also, I hope to learn more and try to improve myself! |
 Grania Willis Ireland FEI Director of Press Relations |
Most important event in your equestrian life in 2010? |
| The most important equestrian event in 2010 was the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Kentucky of course! But, from a more personal perspective, joining the team at FEI HQ as Director of Press Relations has been amazing. It’s very different seeing the FEI from the inside, rather than judging it from the outside as I had done previously in my role as a journalist and, before that, as a rider. There’s a wonderful group of people doing an incredible job for equestrian sport at FEI headquarters and it’s an honour to be part of the team. |
Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2010? |
| From a global perspective, the Climate Change Conference in Cancun really was a breakthrough and the fact that more nations are beginning to embrace the “green” concept and look at the future of the world, rather than just being consumerist, is a trend that has to be encouraged. From an FEI perspective, the success of the Clean Sport Campaign has been truly fantastic and the fact that there were zero positives at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ is the best possible endorsement of the campaign. |
Best and worst tv and radio show |
| I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here is without doubt the worst TV show ever, and Mock The Week, with the outrageously talented Irish comedian Dara O’Briain as host, is the best – it would make a statue laugh! I rarely listen to the radio, to be honest, so it wouldn’t be fair to pick out a best and worst. |
Best book, play, concert, movie and CD |
| Best book: The Booker Prize winner Freedom by Jonathan Frantzen is a must-read Best play: Warhorse is a must-see – within minutes you’ve forgotten you’re looking at puppets and they become real horses Best concert: The Chieftains concert in Kentucky was sensational, particularly seeing Pearse Lyons doing his interpretation of Riverdance Best movie: A Single Man – Colin Firth was absolutely incredible Best cd: I didn’t buy any CDs in 2010, so I’ll have to make amends in the New Year – maybe I’ll get some in my Christmas stocking? |
What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2011? |
| Dressage has seen a lot of changes recently and has increased enormously in popularity, which is brilliant. It may be difficult for a non-equestrian audience to understand the complexities of a Grand Prix or a GPS, but the Freestyle is something that everyone can appreciate – and love. For the future, I’d like to see lots more new nations emerging at the top of the sport. |
What do you wish for in 2011? |
| My personal wish for 2011 – an accident-free skiing holiday – I’ve just fractured my sternum on the first run of the season! |
 Wojciecz Markowski Poland O-judge, FEI Technical Delegate |
Most important event in your equestrian life in 2010? |
| The World Equestrian Games in Kentucky, where I was as Technical Delegate. There was great sport, but unfortunately the course of event and costs did not give 100% satisfaction to participants and officials. As a judge I was president of the ground jury at the World Young Horse Championships in Verden in the 6-year old division. I also judged some interesting and nice show like the Swedish Championships Young Horses, CDI Lyon, CDI Munich or CDI St-Petersburg |
Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2010? |
| Systematic progress in the fight against cancer and other diseases of the 21st century: this is a positive tendency. Unfortunately 2010 showed a lot problems in the economy |
Best and worst tv and radio show |
| I have no time to watch TV, but when I do I mostly watch the news (polish channels, BBC) and movies before I got to sleep. I prefer to read books or listen to music. For radio I prefer the Polish channel 2 (“dwójka”). It has very good programs with a lot of music – mostly classical - but not only. It features many interesting presentations and discussions on books, plays, concerts, exhibitions, etc |
Best book, play, concert, movie and CD |
| Best Book: to me the best books are written by the Polish Waldemar ?ysiak – I am not sure that are translated to English as his langue is very specific – very difficult langue constructions, extremely sharp opinion on people, politics etc. At airport in Warsaw is small shops with books, latest edition and mostly bestsellers. Each time I end my trip with one, two books. So on my last trip I bought the very interesting book by David G. Williamson “Poland Betrayed. The Nazi – Soviet Invasions 1939. Best Play: Last year during Olympia I saw War Horse in London, which impressed me so much. After the play we got the opportunity to have a discussion with the actors and actresses. Best Concert: Requiem, by Mozart, at University Church of Salzburg. It was presented at midnight and gave me an unforgettable feeling. Best cd: Irena Santor's “Crazy World” . She is a Polish singer who has been very popular for a very long time. In 2009 she celebrated her 50th on-stage anniversary with this CD. She made it together with renowned musicians such as Stanis?aw Soyka. The music is not only excellent music but the lyrics are written by best Polish song writers. |
What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2011? |
| to be able to evaluate all decisions taken by FEI/DC in 2010 after 2 to 3 years of their practical implementation. |
What do you wish for in 2011? |
| That 2011 will be not worse than 2010 |
 Brett Parbery Australia Australian Dressage Champion, WEG dressage rider |
Most important event in your equestrian life in 2010? |
| The World Equestrian Games in Kentucky: to finish 9th overall was a dream come true. |
Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2010? |
| The growing awareness and exposure of animal cruelty in a lot of third world countries. Everybody please donate where you can to help those in charge to fund their fight. |
Best and worst tv and radio show |
| Best TV: Entourage Worst TV: The Ludolfs, a German show where three guys collect old cars and other junk. Best radio: That's easy: The Dressage Radio Show. Thank you Chris Stafford! |
Best book, play, concert, movie and CD |
| Best Book: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, the first Book of the Trilogy by Stieg Larson. Best Concert: U2 in Sydney Best Play: I wish we could get time to go to the theatre..... Best Movie: The Sea Inside Best CD: Foo Fighters' Greatest Hits |
What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2011? |
| I would like to see judge bashing become a thing of the past. Education and discussion is the only way forward. |
What do you wish for in 2011? |
| For 2011 I wish for my family, friends and animals to be safe and healthy. Merry Christmas everyone! |
 Valentina Truppa Italy Italian Dressage Champion |
Most important event in your equestrian life in 2010? |
| Being part of the top combinations in Aachen with Eremo del Castegno after only 6 Grand Prix tests in our life, but also 1st place in Cannes with Eremo and 3rd place in Lyon with Chablis |
Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2010? |
| Hopefully the world financial crisis will come to an end |
Best and worst tv and radio show |
| Best tv: I watch sit coms or movies. I like CSI Miami, Grey’s Anatomy and similar shows Best radio: an Italian radio station named Radio DeeJay. I do not like stations with much talking. |
Best book, play, concert, movie and CD |
| Best book: I like romance novels that I read mostly in the summer. Best concert: Madonna's Confession on a DanceFloor Best CD: Madonna and Lucio Battisti Best movie: The Godfather |
What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2011? |
| The possibility for young talented people to enter the “big” world of dressage |
What do you wish for in 2011? |
| Health and happiness for my family and friends and qualifying for the 2012 London Olympics |
More End of the Year questions and answers coming soon!
Read the first group of End of the Year Q&A 2010
Related Links
End of the Year Questions and Answers 2009
End of the Year Questions and Answers 2008