It's the time of the year again! As we wind down the year with Christmas festivities, Eurodressage treats its readers to the "End of the Year" questions series.
The End of the Year Questions series was started in 2006 and ran through 2013. We picked it up 2017 and again in 2022.
We asked some stand-out dressage figures of 2023 to review their year and share their personal observations, endeavours and opinions on life and equestrian sport as well as their goals achieved.
This is the first instalment of the 2023 End of the Year Questions. More to come during the Christmas holidays
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Most important event in your equestrian life in 2023? |
| The European Junior Riders Championships. It was such an amazing competition, because I was so proud of Sommi (Sommernacht). We still can’t believe that our exceptional mare was the youngest horse in the competition and managed to secure gold. Our entire team was over the moon! |
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Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2023? |
| Skinny jeans to baggy jeans is a must! |
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Best and worst tv and movie |
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Best TV: Game of Thrones and Suits |
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Best book, play, concert, and song |
| Best Book: I wish I could say a I read books in my free time… I only read books which are assigned in class, but even those I do not like Best Concert: CRO in Hamburg - it really was incredible attending the concert with friends! Best Song: Standing next you by Jungkook, I like the upbeat rhythm of it and a cool dance is choreographed to it! |
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What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2024? |
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The negative online comments that come from people you don’t know or who don’t support the sport! |
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What do you wish for in 2024? |
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I would really wish for my horses to stay healthy and not to encounter any losses as a quite hard year with ups and downs lies behind us!. |
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Most important event in your equestrian life in 2023? |
| CCDI Kronenberg Indoor with Mount St. John Freestyle: feeling back in business. And our wedding in December |
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Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2023? |
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Best and worst tv and movie |
| Best TV: Oxen |
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Best book, play, concert, and song |
| Best Book: Open - the Andre Agassi autobiography Best Music: Safri Duo playing at our wedding Best Song of the Year: Fireball by Pitbull. Old yes, but love it |
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What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2024? |
| I wish us all to dare to be more open, and for the whole society of riders to become even more open to protect our sport. |
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What do you wish for in 2024? |
| Love for all animals and humans |
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Most important event in your equestrian life in 2023 |
| the Europeans in Riesenbeck, as it was my first time I had to defend my titles. A big personal victory for me was my debut in Prix St. Georges with Jolene. |
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Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2023? |
| I think we have seen too much war again this year… And natural catastrophes… We need to take more care of each other. |
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Best and worst tv and movie |
| Best TV: House of the Dragon - I'm a super big fan of George R.R Martin Best Movie: Lord of the Rings: Return of the King - Probably the best of all time. I don’t really see a lot of new movies Worst Movie: Barbie - I had to see it because I had heard a lot about it.. Not really my kind of movie |
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Best book, play, concert, and song |
| Best Concert: I haven’t been to a concert, sadly. Wish I went to the Imagine Dragons concert in Denmark Best Song: Begging by Måneskin |
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What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2024? |
| I hope we can get to a place where people can share the non-perfect, without being judged. And we can support each other in this amazing sport we have. |
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What do you wish for in 2024? |
| Healthy and happy horses and hopefully a good competition in Paris |
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Most important event in your equestrian life in 2023? |
| The Young Rider European Championships in Hungary because it has always been an ambition to become European Champion and so our double gold here was a dream come true. |
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Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2023? |
| The on-going Israel war and the way innocent people are continuously caught up and hurt in politics |
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Best and worst tv and movie |
| Best TV: Gossip Girl Best Movie: The Hunger Games: Ballard of Snakes and Songbirds Worst TV: Any Christmas movie |
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Best book, play, concert, and play/music |
| Best Book: This year I finished the IB education and since then have stayed far away from any type of book. Best Concert: I haven’t been to any this year but so happy to be going to Taylor Swift next year! Best Song: Anything Taylor Swift, I love her so much. Espe’s winning freestyle at the Europeans was all Taylor Swift songs. |
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What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2024? |
| Less negativity on social media. I think as riders, especially in the younger generations we need to support each other and lift each other up and learn together and not against one another |
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What do you wish for in 2024? |
| My biggest wish is for both my horses and my family to stay happy and healthy. Of course, I hope for more sporting success and I wish to use my gap year to cherish more time with the horses. |
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Most important event in your equestrian life in 2023? |
| Reaching the Final of the European Championship in Riesenbeck with my wife's horse, Zonik Hit, that we trained since he was a youngster. |
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Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2023? |
| Unfortunately, wars and inflation |
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Best and worst tv and movie |
| Best TV: I don't watch TV Best Movie: Sound of Freedom |
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Best book, play, concert, and song |
| Best Book: Becoming Supernatural by Dr. Joe Dispenza Best Concert: Michael Bublé in Hanover, and, of course, my daughter's orchestra Christmas concert Best Song: This year, and every year, my favourite song is I Believe I Can Fly by R. Kelly |
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What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2024? |
| Any changes that promote and reward true horsemanship and good riding are always welcome. |
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What do you wish for in 2024? |
| Love, good health and happiness are my wishes for 2024 |
Rose Oatley
Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour
Tobias Thorning Jorgensen
Annabella Pidgley
Joao Moreira