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2008 End-of the Year Questions
Now that the end of the year is rapidly approaching, Eurodressage asked several international riders, judges and journalists to review their year briefly and highlight what they considered the most important evolutions and happenings in their personal and professional life.
Check out a third batch of reactions to the 2008 End-of-the Year Questions.
See who else answered the 2008 End of the Year Questions?
 Richard Davison
Great Britain
FEI Dressage Task Force Member, British Dressage Team Captain and Grand Prix rider |
| Most important event in your equestrian life in 2008? |
The Olympics and the Paralympics. There are too many inspirational moments to single out one achievement but it’s brilliant to see people reaching and exceeding their dreams and aspirations. |
| Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2008? |
The global financial situation. The bursting of the credit bubble may have been inevitable but the irresponsibility and alleged fraud behind the scenes is hard to take in. |
| Best and worst tv and radio show |
TV: ‘Spooks’ is good.
I don’t have a view on the worst TV, why would I ? Iif I don’t like watching it I just change channel and leave those who enjoy it to get on with it. |
| Best book, play, concert, movie and CD |
Best book – Tami Hoag’s latest "Alibi Man" – I am her greatest fan on this side of the Atlantic. So come on Tami send me a signed copy and can’t you find room for a hunky young English dressage rider like me in your next novel - why should Guenter and Robert get all the kudos ?
Concert for Pavarotti in Petra in aid of Afghanistan refugees and the UN World Food Programme (WFP).
Best movie: Batman (The Dark Night)
Best CD: Kings of Leon (Only by the night). |
| What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2009? |
Developing our sport is on-going; it means building on the good and not being afraid to change the bits that aren't working well enough.
Its hard to single out one aspect but currently I believe judges are getting an increasingly unfair deal. They get a lot of critiscm that is due to factors beyond their individual control. It’s the judging systems; the tasks, the evaluation and the regulation that should come under more scrutiny and not the integrity of the judges themselves. |
What do you wish for in 2009?
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Health, happiness and success for my family and friends. And I hope everyone survives the credit crunch. |
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 Michael Erdmann
Germany
Kur composer of the German Olympic Team riders |
| Most important event in your equestrian life in 2008? |
The Olympic Games, for which many expensive kur productions were made. |
| Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2008? |
The change in views the Americans created with the election of their new president. |
| Best and worst tv and radio show |
Best TV: Animal Documentaries
Worst TV: Pop Stars and Next Top Model |
| Best book, play, concert, movie and CD |
Best Book: "Die Analogen Hitmaschinen" by arl-Hermann von Behren
Best Movie: "Quadrophenia" and "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest"
Best CD: Del Amitri / Nothing ever happens |
| What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2008? |
More clarity in the judging of freestyle and more appealing kurs to music for the audience. |
What do you wish for in 2009?
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People to be more happy and content. |
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 Evi Strasser
Canada
Canadian Olympic team reserve rider. |
| Most important event in your equestrian life in 2008? |
Showing in Europe in general was the best thing. I love the shows and the competitions and the challenge of competing against the best |
| Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2008? |
Barack Obama was a highlight to me; I'm so happy that America is going this direction. |
| Best and worst tv and radio show |
Best TV: Holmes on Homes: it's a program in Canada. They fix the houses of people who got screwd from bad and false contractors. I love how he rebuilds houses which are really badly done. He helps a lot of people
Worst TV: I don't know since I don't watch much TV |
| Best book, play, concert, movie and CD |
I only watch movies on the plaen, since that is the only time I have to sit.
Best movies:
Love Actually, Mamma Mia; I love both.
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| What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2009? |
I would love that the judges would judge what they see, which would have that we would have many different winners. This would be good for the sport, the best performance would win on this day |
What do you wish for in 2009?
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I wish for much health and happiness. Success to my family, friends, competitors and animals for the year 2009 and be fair to all |
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 Sanneke Rothenberger
Germany
European Junior Rider Champion |
| Most important event in your equestrian life in 2008? |
The European Junior Rider Championships in Azeitao (POR) |
| Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2008? |
The voting for the new american president, Barack Obama |
| Best and worst tv and radio show |
Best TV show: Grey's Anatomy
Worst TV show: Tatort
Best Radio: FFH
Worst Radio: WDR1 |
| Best book, play, concert, movie and CD |
Best Book: Twilight Series
Best
Movie: Bodygaurd
Best
CD: "Looking through the eyes of a child" - Reamonn |
| What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2009? |
Actually I don't want to see many changes in the dressage world in 2009 |
What do you wish for in 2009?
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I wish for 2009, that everyone stays healthy (family , friends, and animals) |
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 Kristy Oatley
Australia
Australian Olympic Team Rider |
| Most important event in your equestrian life in 2008? |
Wining the Kur at CDI Braunschweig. Being on the Australian team for the Olympics |
| Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2008? |
Barack Obama being elected president. |
| Best and worst tv and radio show |
Best TV: Love 'Desperate Housewives' |
| Best book, play, concert, movie and CD |
The funny kids books that I get to read every night |
| What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2009? |
I would like the old Grand Prix test from 2000 to come back |
What do you wish for in 2009?
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Health for my family and others and happy horses!! |
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 Fiona Bigwood
Great Britain
British Grand Prix Team Rider |
| Most important event in your equestrian life in 2008? |
2008 was quiet for me after losing Mr G but I would have to say Dramatic winning the 6 yr old World Breeding championships and Anders [Fiona's partner Anders Dahl] being the reserve rider for the Danish Olympic team. |
| Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2008? |
The financial crisis. So many people have been affected and I think in 2009 the situation will get even worse. |
| Best and worst tv and radio show |
I have spent much driving time listening to BFBS radio station which keeps you up to date with all the happenings in the U.K when you are abroad.
Best TV:
I would have to say Dragons Den and Top Gear are great programs. |
| Best book, play, concert, movie and CD |
At the moment the only books I am reading are for my daughter. I have not been to the theater or cinema for ages. Having 2 children changes your social outings! |
| What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2009? |
That I am back on the ranking list with my new horse! and that each country can have 4 riders which are allowed to compete at the Olympics. |
What do you wish for in 2009?
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To be competing internationally again and to ride in Windsor at the Europeans. I have really missed the shows. I also hope for good health for my family,friends and horses. |
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