Corona Times: Hit & Run with Gareth Hughes

Interviews

Hit & Run

In corona times we are all ordered to stay at home, self quarantine, and do social distancing. With more time on your hands to spend online, Eurodressage launches a "Hit & Run" interview series so that you get to know the world's most famous dressage riders and personalities more closely.

British Grand Prix rider Gareth Hughes made his debut on Team GB with Nadonna at the 2013 European Dressage Championships in Herning and then went on to the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Caen, France. He returned on the team at the 2019 European Dressage Championships in Rotterdam aboard Briolinca and became Britain's best scoring rider in the Kur to Music.

Hit & Run - Gareth Hughes

What is your earliest memory?

Riding my Purple Tricycle around the roads where I grew up!

Which person alive do you admire the most and why?

No one person, I admire people who achieve success within their profession yet remain humble and give back

When were you the happiest?

When our daughter Ruby was born

What is your biggest fear?

Loosing someone in my family

What was your first thought today?

We have a knew kitten called Freddie, he wakes us up by jumping on us. My first thoughts can't be printed!!

What is your most annoying character trait?

I'm sure my wife could name a few

Which trait do you dislike the most in other people?

Shallow, Dishonesty,

What is your dearest possession?

My family and my cowboy hat!

If you look into the future, what do you see?

Hopefully more of what I am doing!

What makes you unhappy?

Cold, Dark Cloudy weather, which is unfortunate as I live in England

What is the love of your life?

My family and my horses and pets

What was the best choice you ever took in life?

Moving back to England from Australia

What's your guilty pleasure?

My aftershave collection. I buy a new one every time I go through a Duty Free!

What do you owe your parents?

They were and still are my biggest supporters

Who can sit next to you at your dream dinner table?

John Wayne, My first Trainer Trevor Bonny.

What was the worst job you ever did?

Pushing trolleys at a supermarket

What was your biggest disappointment in life?

Not disappointment, but saddest part has been losing my best friend when he passed away when we were 25 years old.

What would you change if you can go back into the past?

Nothing as what has happened has made me the person I am today

Name one thing that would improve your quality of life?

More sunshine

What is your biggest achievement?

My family and our business

What is the most important life lesson you have learnt?

Surround yourself with the right people. Everyone has an opinion, make sure you listen to the right one!

Where would you like to be right now?

While all this tragedy is happening in the world and we cant live our normal life I would like to be mustering cattle in the midwest of America!

What's your favourite scent?

On me Tom Ford, but best smell would be freshly cut grass at the beginning of summer.

Which character would you dress up in for Halloween?

Not big on Fancy Dress

To whom would you like to say sorry?

To my wife, Im not sure why but it always helps.

What does love feel like for you?

Like nothing else in the world matters as much.

When are you most relaxed?

After about the fourth day on holiday

What super power would you like to have?

Fly

When did you last cry, and why?

I cry easily

When were you closest to death?

Up to this point nothing Too serious! The closest was when I was training at a big International and went to go down the center line and Isabel Werth was coming the other way! I had to divert at the last second!

How do you want to be remembered?

As a respected horseman and coach, and for my daughter to have great memories of growing up!