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
 Laura BechtolsheimerGreat Britain Olympic team gold and individual bronze medalist |
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| The Olympics in London! |
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| Britain winning their first ever Olympic dressage medals with great horses and classical riding/training methods. |
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| Best TV: Grey's Anatomy (still) Worst TV: Made in Chelsea |
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Best book: The Help |
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| I would like to see more emphasis laid on even and active hind legs rather than just flashy front legs and also the contact and harmony between the horse's mouth and the rider's hands. |
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| To be able to ride Alf (Mistral Hojris) in one more championship, but also to compete my two future Grand Prix horses (Polar Bear, Unique) successfully at small tour as well as have a great wedding! Too much to ask??!! |
 Cathrine Dufour Denmark European Young Rider Champion |
Most important event in your equestrian life in 2012? |
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Definately the European Championships for Young Riders in Beren. That was one of the bigges experiences in my equestrian life in 2012, but also in my entire life. |
Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2012? |
| The Olympic games. That must be the biggest happening in 2012, with all that comes with it. |
Best and worst tv and radio show |
| Best TV: Desperate housewivs Worst TV: Channel Charlie in Denmark Best radio: P3 monopolet Worst radio: 24/7 |
Best book, play, concert, movie and CD |
| Best movie: Skyfall |
What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2013? |
| I would like some of the biggest competitions for seniors to be mixed with some of the youth-competitions. We could learn so much of the best riders in the world, by seeing them live on the arena, but most important of all to see them train. I'd like to see the best riders train the days up to the biggest competitions and get inspired. |
What do you wish for in 2013? |
| I wish to keep my horses free from injuries and that the luck will be with me, just like in 2012 |
 Thomas Bauer Germany FEI Dressage Committee Member, representing the AIDEO (Association of International Dressage Event Organizers) |
Most important event in your equestrian life in 2012? |
| The London Olympics, no doubt! |
Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2012? |
| Within the dressage world: The first step forward to bring the Pan American Games on Grand Prix level. All the concerned FEI Regional Groups agreed to test a new format at the CDIO Wellington, Florida in April 2013. |
Best and worst tv and radio show |
| Best TV: Hustle Worst TV: All these boring casting shows |
Best book, play, concert, movie and CD |
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Best book: Book: Die Larve, by Jo Nesbo |
What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2013? |
| The FEI Sports Forum in April 2013 should come to the conclusion concerning the Olympic format to have 4 riders per team with one drop score as all other Olympic disciplines have (by the way Eventing has two). Further progress after the test event of the Pan Am format for 2015. |
What do you wish for in 2013? |
| Good health for my famliy, friends and all our animals. |
 Karen Robinson Canada Equestrian journalist, kur arranger |
Most important event in your equestrian life in 2012? |
| Hands down, no contest, the London Olympics. They may well be the the most important Equestrian event of my entire journalistic career. From the hosts' wonderful welcome to the incredible venue to the sport that reached new heights in all disciplines, London will be a very hard act to follow. |
Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2012? |
| It would be difficult to isolate one thing in a year so filled with catastrophes and triumphs. For me as a journalist, I am heartened to see that the world of media - from Al Jazeera to The Colbert Report - is moving toward ever greater transparency and the journalists keep asking tough questions of those who would prefer that they go away. Fox 'News' being a notable exception of course! |
Best and worst tv and radio show |
| Best TV: The Voice, which in my opinion has kicked the X-Factor and American Idol right out the door for top quality talent and great judges. Worst TV: the aforementioned Fox News. Radio: I listen only to good radio stations, which means CBC in Canada, NPR in the US, and BBC whenever and wherever I can get it. |
Best book, play, concert, movie and CD |
| Best book: David Attenborough's autobiography Life On Air Best play: didn't see any plays but I'd love to see The Book of Mormon Best concert: technically not a concert, but Cavalia's new show Odysseo did have music - it was wonderful Best CD: Giants by Chicane. |
What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2013? |
| More of what we saw in 2012 please! The judges have come around, the horses are more incredible than ever before and riders like Helen Langehanenberg and Charlotte Dujardin are inspiring an entire generation of young riders around the world. |
What do you wish for in 2013? |
| I could wish for things that are not going to happen - an end to war, to hunger and suffering for people and for the world's animals - but since I don't believe in hanging wishes on coat hooks in the clouds, I wish that in 2013 I can find a way to contribute in some small way to improving the quality of life for the people and animals around me. |
 Patrik Kittel Sweden Swedish Olympic team member |
Most important event in your equestrian life in 2012? |
| The London Olympics. What an amazing event. |
Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2012? |
| I think the trend goes to consumerism: people building things with no quality, so that it's breaking faster so they can sell a new Phone, Tv or car. People getting more and more into getting the newest that is on the market like waiting for days for a phone, outside. Perhaps this trend is an on going but this year I felt it more. |
Best and worst tv and radio show |
| Best Tv: Modern Family, Gossip Girl (I know it's a girls' show) Worst TV: all the talent shows. So many come and go |
Best book, play, concert, movie and CD |
| Best movie: Ted - I was expecting this cute teddy bear and after some minutes he used the F-word and I couldn't believe my ears. Really, really funny I love my ITunes All music, Tv and movies come from there, good and bad |
What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2013? |
| I hope that us, the riders can be a part of our sport, that we can have a good say in what is happening. I am afraid now when there are no stakeholders in the FEI that we will not be heard. I hope this is not the case as it is us, the riders, that make the sport and the shows. Some good changes have already been made like bringing the old Grand Prix Special back. |
What do you wish for in 2013? |
| What I always wish for: that my familyn friends and horses stay sound and happy. Every day is a new day. Enjoy it and make the best out of it. |
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