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.
French Grand Prix rider Anne Sophie Serre made her international break through at Grand Prix level in 2010. Aboard Le Guerrier she became the French Developing Grand Prix Champion in 2010 and first represented France at the 2011 European Championships in Rotterdam, where they were the best scoring French pair. Grand Prix horses Loutano, Rossini, and Vistoso de Masa follow. Her current star is Actuelle de Massa, which she competed at the 2016 World Young Horse Championships. The pair played a key role for France in achieving Tokyo team selection.
Hit & Run - Anne Sophie Serre
What is your earliest memory?
As far back I can remember, I’ve always had an obsession with horses. I had a lot of books and horse posters in my room.
Which person alive do you admire the most and why?
Arnaud, my husband, because he succeeds in everything.
When were you the happiest?
When Mathilde, my daughter, won the silver medal at the 2017 European Children Championships.
What is your biggest fear?
Losing someone I love.
What was your first thought today?
Eating croissants like every Sunday morning.
What is your most annoying character trait?
I think Arnaud could name one or two …
Which trait do you dislike the most in other people?
Violence, especially against children and animals.
What is your dearest possession?
My family and my animals. They are my balance.
If you look into the future, what do you see?
For me, a happy wife, mother and rider. For the world, I don’t know. Human is a predator for nature but also for himself. That’s no reassuring.
What makes you unhappy?
When someone I love isn’t well.
What is the love of your life?
Arnaud and our children Mathilde and Andrea .
What was the best choice you ever took in life?
To make my dream come true by becoming a professional rider and to believe in Actuelle de Massa when she was young and no one liked her.
What's your guilty pleasure?
A cold beer
What do you owe your parents?
Everything! I owe them my education, my values … I owe them what I am today.
Who can sit next to you at your dream dinner table?
Arnaud and our children, our dearest friends, my parents and sister and also Raphaël Saleh who is part of the family.
What was the worst job you ever did?
Selling roasted chickens in the markets at 6 a.m
What was your biggest disappointment in life?
My mother’s death two years ago …
What would you change if you can go back into the past?
That my mother would still be with us today!
Name one thing that would improve your quality of life?
Sun, because it’s raining today.
What is your biggest achievement?
My family and riding Grand-Prix with Actuelle de Massa
What is the most important life lesson you have learnt?
The horses gave it to me : to be happy in the present moment because tomorrow everything can stop.
Where would you like to be right now?
Where I am ! At home with my family.
What's your favourite scent?
That’s strange. I couldn’t live without the sun, but I love the smell of rain…
Which character would you dress up in for Halloween?
I don’t do Halloween.
To whom would you like to say sorry?
My mother because there’s a lot of things I wish I could have said to her.
What does love feel like for you?
Riding with my husband and children, all together.
When are you most relaxed?
On holiday
What super power would you like to have?
If I could be someone like Captain Marvel !
When did you last cry, and why?
A few days ago, on my birthday, my children and my husband hugged me and told me that they love me.
When were you closest to death?
Ten years ago, I had an internal hemorrhage during pregnancy.
How do you want to be remembered?
As someone positive but tenacious. Someone who loves life and the people and animals who share it.
Related Links
French Grand Prix Squads for 2020 Announced
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French Grand Prix Squads for 2019 Expanded
French Federation Drops Bomb by Deciding Not to Send Team to WEG
Issartel and Evita Win 2016 French Championships for 7-Year Olds
French Short Listed Riders for 2014 World Equestrian Games