On New Year's Eve we present the fifth and penultimate End of the Year Questions for 2022. Tomorrow we let some very unique dressage personalities reply to this set of questions. Today you will be able to read the reply of some of the greatest dressage riders in the world, including World Champion Charlotte Fry, British multi-Olympian Carl Hester, and the most decorated dressage rider of all times, Isabell Werth.
After a five-year break we decided to re-instate this popular end of the year Q & A series with replies posted between Christmas and the New Year. The End of the Year Questions series was started in 2006 and ran through 2013. In 2017 we once picked it up again, but put it back in the freezer for the past five years. Let's revisit and see how key dressage figures respond now as the world keeps changing.
We asked some stand-out dressage figures of 2022 to review their year and share their personal observations, endeavours and opinions on life and equestrian sport as well as their goals achieved.
Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV are here.
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Most important event in your equestrian life in 2022? |
| The World Championships with Glamourdale |
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Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2022? |
| War in Ukraine |
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Best and worst tv and movie |
| Best TV: Emily in Paris Best Movie: The Swimmers |
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Best book, play, concert, and song |
| Best Concert: Glammy's freestyle in Herning felt like a concert to me Best Song: Glamourdale’s kur music |
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What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2023? |
| That the keyboard warriors will learn to get joy and happiness from watching the dressage and the horses and not be so negative on our sport |
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What do you wish for in 2023? |
| To have happy and healthy horses and enjoy life |
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Most important event in your equestrian life in 2022? |
| The World Championships in Herning |
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Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2022? |
| The War in Ukraine |
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Best and worst tv and movie |
| Best TV: I have no time to watch TV Best Movie: No Time to Die |
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Best book, play, concert, and song |
| Best Book: Zeitwände, Putins Krieg und die Folgen by Rüdiger von Fritsch |
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What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2023? |
| Better communication |
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What do you wish for in 2023? |
| Health for family and horses. |
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Most important event in your equestrian life in 2022? |
| Mannheim, my first competition with Carlos, it was so much fun. |
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Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2022? |
| Back to normal life after two years of pandemic |
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Best and worst tv and movie |
| Best TV: Die Discounter Best Movie: Top Gun Maverick Worst TV: 365 days |
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Best book, play, concert, and song |
| Best Book: The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem by Nathaniel Branden Best Concert: Saint Jhn concert Best Song: Heat Waves by Glass Animals |
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What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2023? |
| Less unfair criticism from non-professional riders on social networks |
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What do you wish for in 2023? |
| I wish for good health for my family, friends and horses |
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Most important event in your equestrian life in 2022? |
| World Championships In Herning. Denmark's first ever team gold. With the horse that already has given me more then I could ever ask for Blue Hors Zack |
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Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2022? |
| Skinny jeans going out of fashion. I’m definitely not a trendsetter. |
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Best and worst tv and movie |
| Best TV: The newest season of Virgin River Best Movie: Just like everyone I enjoyed Top Gun Maverick a lot. The Netflix movie The Swimmers also left quite the impression Worst TV: If it’s bad I don’t remember the movie. So probably it’s quite a list, but mostly I get a good nap out of those movies. |
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Best book, play, concert, and song |
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Best Book: Becoming a True Athlete by Laurence Cassøe Halsted. The one and only book I have read this year. |
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What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2023? |
| I’m not sure if it’s necessarily a change, but I like when us as riders can have mutual respect for each other. We all put in time and effort to fight for the same goal. I rather see that as a binding factor and a possibility to learn from one another.
One more thing is critical self-reflection and transparency within our sport. Rather than defending I think it’s better to explain our sport to the bigger public. |
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What do you wish for in 2023? |
| Health for my family, friends and horses. Many more beautiful moments with my horses and to keep developing myself in the sport. |
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Most important event in your equestrian life in 2022? |
| World Equestrian Games in Herning. It was not our best show but still competing there is an unforgettable life experience. |
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Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2022? |
| The world’s change to multipolarity. |
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Best and worst tv and movie |
| Best TV: Can’t find time to watch series but watched one time Squid Game as too many people told me about it Best Movie: Triangle of Sadness Worst TV: The Platform has a deep meaning but very heavy feeling after watching it. It describes social hierarchy and it’s painful to accept the fact that it is still our reality. Good quality movie but the worst for your mood. |
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Best book, play, concert, and song |
| Best Book: Culture and Imperialism by Edward Said Best Concert: Concert of Trio Joubran in UAE Best Song: Don’t know new songs. At this strange of my life I prefer instrumental music: duduk or oud . One old song that I play when I want to relax is Gabriel by Lamb |
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What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2023? |
| I want to see more happy faces and smiles |
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What do you wish for in 2023? |
| I wish more peace and unity to our world and I think this will happen when we will learn to accept the differences we have and that we all have individual path. If we stop pointing at the differences, respect the cultural heritage we have, we will see how much we can learn from each other and how much more we can do together. |
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Most important event in your equestrian life in 2022? |
| The World Championships in Herning were a triumph for Denmark, for the Danish Team to win on home soil must be a feeling they will never forget. To see Lottie Fry, coming of age to be World Champion is a dream come true for her, her family, supporters and the Van Olsts. |
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Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2022? |
| The passing of Queen Elisabeth II. The loss for the British people and the world of a constant in all of our lives was a very sad day. The continuing war in Ukraine is still a worry. To see civilians dying needlessly is horrific in this day and age. My thoughts and support are with everyone who has and still are being affected. |
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Best and worst tv and movie |
| Best TV: The White Lotus. The character of Tanya McQuoid, played by Jennifer Coolidge still makes me howl with laughter. Best Movie: Elvis. What a reminder that someone so incredible still had demons. Worst TV: Prince Andrew: The Musical. So awful I had to watch it till the end. |
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Best book, play, concert, and song |
| Best Book: Joan Collins: My Unapologetic Diaries. Only this Hollywood superstar could say it how it really is in the world of the rich and famous. Best Concert: ABBA Voyage. If you want to dance and sing along till you drop, this is a must see. Best Song: Space Man by Sam Ryder. He lifted British Eurovision from the depths of despair to come second to Ukraine who were worthy winners. Rather like my early career, you become sick of being last. |
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What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2023? |
| I would like more riders to become part of the IDRC. Too many riders let the sport get changed by those that don’t ride and it would be helpful if they voiced their opinions through the IDRC. |
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What do you wish for in 2023? |
| A peaceful route towards Paris Olympics in whatever role I may be lucky enough to play and to see British Dressage challenge for the Gold |
| Related Links End of the Year Questions 2022 - Part I End of the Year Questions 2022 - Part II End of the Year Questions 2022 - Part III End of the Year Questions 2022 - Part IV |
Charlotte Fry
Isabell Werth
Helen Erbe
Nanna Skodborg Merrald
Diana al Shaer
Carl Hester