End of the Year Questions
Between Christmas and New Year, Eurodressage features its popular "End of the Year Questions" series. We have asked some stand-out dressage figures of 2013 to review their year and share their personal enterprises, observations, endeavours and opinions on life and equestrian sport.
Check out the first series of answers we gathered.
 Robert DoverU.S.A. Olympian, U.S. team trainer |
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| Being given the honor of becoming the United States Coach/ Chef d'Equipe/ Technical Advisor. I am humbled to have the confidence of our great athletes, trainers, owners, breeders, sponsors, volunteers, Federation officers and staff. Americans are absolute winners at heart and together we have already begun the process of setting our sites on the Gold Medal podiums at every division from Juniors through the elite international Grand Prix. |
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| Because of the internet and advanced communications, our world is becoming a place where bad things perpetrated by bad people can no longer stay hidden. Whether in business or global conflicts and humanitarian crisis, if a person has an iPhone, we will see and hear about it across the world and I am sure that someday freedom and justice will finally be enjoyed by all people everywhere and we will finally live in peace. |
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| Best TV: I love The Voice. Amazing talents showing incredible focus, determination and sacrifice to excel and be the best. We need more of that in Dressage. Worst TV: Sean Saves The World, because I loved Jack on Will and Grace and now he plays a gay, less buff and sadly less funny father. Some good actors on the show but you just don't care enough about any of them. Where is Karen when Jack needs her! Best radio show is NPR (National Public Radio). Worst radio: anything starting with "Fox News Presents" or the name Rush Limbough
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| Best Book: "Why I Jump" by a young autistic child. Amazing! Best Play: not exactly a play but my absolute favorite show is Cavalia and I highly suggest to anyone who loves both horses and Circque du Soleil to see it. You will adore it! Best Movie: I love the Hobbit movies and am looking forward to the movie made by my friend, Ron Davis, named "Harry and Snowman" about the legendary horse and rider. It is quite a story so watch for it in 2014. |
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| I would like to see ongoing trend toward greater deco crack within the FEI as an organization and hopefully elect someday a very intelligent professional rider/trainer who may not have been born into aristocracy but has the faith from the masses that they can and will do what is right for the best interest of all equestrian sports. |
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| I have suffered the loss of both my parents in the last year and miss them every day. On the brighter side, after 25 years together, I got to legally marry the love of my life, Robert Ross, and my greatest hope to have the continued good health, LOVE, and joy for all of my family, fiends, and loved ones, both 2 and 4-legged in 2014 and beyond. Career wise, I plan to build American Dressage into a world-class machine from the bottom to the top of the pipeline and see our athletes excel like never before in our history. I will not stop until that dream is a reality! |
 Valentina Truppa Italy Italian Olympic dressage rider |
Most important event in your equestrian life in 2013? |
| The 2013 World Cup Final and the CDI where I had my best score in the Grand Prix and Special with both my horses Eremo and Chablis. Globally lots of new young pairs like Valero (Dujardin) and Damon Hill (Langehanenberg) who are coming up in this dressage world! They are an example for all of us young riders with young horses. And of course a new World Record for the Kur to Music at the CDI-W London. |
Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2013? |
| The crisis all over the world, especially in Italy. It is not a good situation there, but I can see many young people who want to change somenthing and they will do it. |
Best and worst tv and radio show |
| I really don't like realities shows. I usually watch movies on TV! |
Best book, play, concert, movie and CD |
| Best movie: Rush Best CD: Pure Heroine, by Lorde Best book: Revenge Wears Prada, by Lauren Weisberger, the sequel to The Devil wears Prada |
What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2014? |
| I would like see more young people from all the countries coming up at Grand Prix level. I would like super results for me and I would like that my many young horses will grow up as best as possible. |
What do you wish for in 2014? |
| I wish all the people I know health and happiness and to myself a great competition season. |
 Bernadette Brune Germany Grand Prix rider, CDIO 4* event organizer |
Most important event in your equestrian life in 2013? |
| It's difficult to choose. What a year it has been. I sold my first filly (by Totilas) for 41,000€ at the auction. I have an incredible 9 year old, Spirit of the Age, that wins one Grand Prix after another. With Di Magic I was second at the French Championship for 6-year olds. I wo my first Grand Prix Kur at a CDI3* and my first stallion (also by Totilas) got licensed! |
Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2013? |
| In the equestrian world, it's Valegro; in the world the little girl Malala Yousafzai speaking at the U.N. |
Best and worst tv and radio show |
| Best TV: The voice of Germany Worst TV: Die Wollnies |
Best book, play, concert, movie and CD |
| Best movie: Gravity Best song: Dear Darlin', by Olly Murs |
What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2014? |
| The vet checks! Too dangerous to be done in-hand. I am curious to see how the piaffe coefficient will change the placings but also the whole selling and training of horses. I believe it will have a big impact. |
What do you wish for in 2014? |
| Health and that success keeps coming on. |
 Raphael Saleh France I-judge |
Most important event in your equestrian life in 2013? |
| In 2013 I was really honored to be appointed on the ground jury for the European Junior/Young Riders Championships in Compiegne. It was a real pleasure to judge there because Mrs Marini organized at this wonderful venu the first CDI only four years ago. It was a true reward for them to get this Championship. I was also lucky to gain experience judging all around the world. |
Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2013? |
| The passing away of Nelson Mandela.. He symbolized so many virtues of tolerance and forgiveness. Despite being imprisoned and subjected to apartheid, he did not seek revenge but rather sought to bring the country together as one. The world needs more Nelson Mandela's |
Best and worst tv and radio show |
| Best TV: On N’est Pas Couché, a French talk show presented by Laurent Ruquier. Politicians as well as People are invited to argue about topical subjects. Ruquier manages the meeting with a spicy sense of humour. Worst TV: reality shows |
Best book, play, concert, movie and CD |
| Best book: The elegance of the Hedgehod, Muriel Barbery. I found it touching. As I am frequently traveling I do not have the time to go to the bookstore and search for the book of interest. Instead I am given books that friends have read and recommend to me. Of course that means I generally spend 2013 reading books from the previous years Best movie: The Butler, directed by Lee Daniels. It touched on a number of themes both human and historical. Best CD: Music-wise my taste is very eclectic. I can go from French oldies to Pop Rock going through Classical Music. I'm an eternal fan of U2. I quite like there last album Orchestra, but I also like David Bowie or Etienne Daho |
What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2014? |
| Actually I’m not really looking for many changes in the dressage world. I just hope that what has been prepared in 2013 and the years before for the development of dressage can get to an achievement. For example through the quality and education of the judges, through the technical aspect with the introduction of the new tests and the Medium Tour, as well as the new evaluation system proposed by Katrina Wüst for the degree of difficulty in Freestyle |
What do you wish for in 2014? |
| For 2014 I wish, that France, my country, who will host the WEG in Normandy, will achieve a "clear round ", and give the opportunity to the horses, riders, and all people involved to perform in the best conditions the highest quality of our sport. |
Related Links
End of the Year Questions and Answers 2012
End of the Year Questions and Answers 2011
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