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.
Irish Grand Prix rider Anna Merveldt was born in Canada, rides for Ireland and lives in Italy. She made her international debut in 1988. She rode her first Olympics in 1992 in Barcelona on Rapallo and returned in 2012 in London with Coryolano. She has competed at the European Championships in 1993, 1997, 2003, 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2019; and at the World Equestrian Games in 1990, 2002, 2006. She has won the Irish Field Dressage Rider of the Year Award eight times between 2000 and 2011. Anna also works as the Italian dressage youth team trainer.
Hit & Run - Anna Merveldt
What is your earliest memory?
Sitting in the back of our VW Beetle and being squashed by our Great Dane.
Which person alive do you admire the most and why?
My sister, she did everything right
When were you the happiest?
When I had my magnificent son
What is your biggest fear?
Losing a loved one
What was your first thought today?
Beautiful weather, Corona virus and how they don’t match
What is your most annoying character trait?
My cooking obsession
Which trait do you dislike the most in other people?
Lack of sincerity.
What is your dearest possession?
Memories
If you look into the future, what do you see?
Fun
What makes you unhappy?
Not having enough time to do everything I like
What is the love of your life?
My son Philipp
What was the best choice you ever took in life?
To have moved to Germany many years ago
What's your guilty pleasure?
A filet steak and a glass of red
What do you owe your parents?
Everything
Who can sit next to you at your dream dinner table?
Bradley Cooper on the left and Hugh Jackman on the right, that would do nicely
What was the worst job you ever did?
Never had one
What was your biggest disappointment in life?
I try not to go down that road.
What would you change if you can go back into the past?
Would have liked to have more children
Name one thing that would improve your quality of life?
Less travelling
What is your biggest achievement?
Making numerous Grand Prix horses and and participating successfully in Olympics, World and European Championships.
What is the most important life lesson you have learnt?
Patience
Where would you like to be right now?
At home in my kitchen cooking
What's your favourite scent?
Wisteria in blossom
Which character would you dress up in for Halloween?
Not a fan of dressing up
To whom would you like to say sorry?
To my mum, for having lived so far away
What does love feel like for you?
Bliss
When are you most relaxed?
Sitting on a horse
What super power would you like to have?
Teleportation
When did you last cry, and why?
A sad movie is always a bummer... yesterday
When were you closest to death?
Probably at a time not known to me ... thank goodness
How do you want to be remembered?
As me
Related Links
Anna Merveldt Fractures Arm
Merveldt Sees Growth in Italian Dressage in the Lead-Up to 2019 European Youth Riders Championships
Irish 'Girls in Green' Aiming to Write History at the 2019 European Dressage Championships
Hinnemann and Merveldt Appointed Italian Team Trainers, Endres Pony Consultant
Anna Merveldt Wins 2011 Irish Field Award
Anna Merveldt Injured in Car Accident
Irish Anna Merveldt Appointed Italian Pony, Junior and Young Rider Team Trainer