Corona Times: Hit & Run with Nicole Uphoff-Selke

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.

German Grand Prix rider Nicole Uphoff-Selke is one of Germany's most successful Olympians in dressage, having won four gold medals at the 1988 and 1992 Olympic Games on her legendary horse Rembrandt. She added a third Olympics to her tally in 1996. Uphoff further collected gold at four European Championships (1989, 1991, 1993, 1995), and two World Equestrian Games (1990, 1994). She made a come back in 1998 with Gestut Vorwerk's Rubinstein but retired from international competition sport in the 2000s. She lives with her husband Andreas Selke and two children in Worms, Germany.

Hit & Run - Nicole Uphoff-Selke

What is your earliest memory?

I was 3 years old and allowed to be outside in front of our house by myself; I was very proud

Which person alive do you admire the most and why?

I admire Angela Merkel; she is serious, always honest, down to earth, makes compromises to get what she wants

When were you the happiest?

When my two sons were born.

What is your biggest fear?

To lose control of myself

What was your first thought today?

Is the sun shining? This is very important for me

What is your most annoying character trait?

With people I don’t have enough patience, sometimes. With horses I have never-ending patience!

Which trait do you dislike the most in other people?

I hate it when people are always complaining about something or of other people without knowing them or their reasons. I hate egoistic people like now in corona time.

What is your dearest possession?

My house and my animals

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

I see a happy family, living in an area they really love enjoying life

What makes you unhappy?

Rain makes me feel miserable; I can't stand it, when I feel not good

What is the love of your life?

My husband Andreas, my two great sons and Rembrandt

What was the best choice you ever took in life?

When I convinced my parents to buy Rembrandt

What do you feel guilty about?

When I was successful in my riding in the past, I forgot and didn’t work on friendships

What do you owe your parents?

They supported me to be able to ride and compete

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

Sandra Bullock

What was the worst job you ever did?

After school I was learning for a job for three years to become a freight forwarder in shipping

What was your biggest disappointment in life?

The father of my first son

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

Nothing

Name one thing that would improve your quality of life?

Nothing, we have a perfect life right now and appreciate it a lot

What is your biggest achievement?

Four Olympic gold medals with Rembrandt

What is the most important life lesson you have learnt?

Don’t trust everybody, be careful, when you meet somebody new

Where would you like to be right now?

Here

What's your favourite scent?

Issey Miyake

Which character would you dress up in for Halloween?

Witch, my family says I don’t have to dress up

To whom would you like to say sorry?

I always say sorry when I think it is necessary

What does love feel like for you?

Trust, happiness, fight without insulting

When are you most relaxed?

At home, when I ride my horse or in Spain at the sea

What super power would you like to have?

I would like to see into other people's brain

When did you last cry, and why?

...

When were you closest to death?

Thank God never so far

How do you want to be remembered?

As an honest woman, who took care of people and animals, who tried her best to help everybody