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2009 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 first batch of reactions to the 2009 End-of-the Year Questions.
See who else answered the 2009 End of the Year Questions?
 Trond Asmyr
Norway
FEI Dressage Director |
| Most important event in your equestrian life in 2009? |
Taking up my present position at FEI. Exactly today I have my half year anniversary, and I had not any idea that the job should bring me so much joy! |
| Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2009? |
Unfortunately, I have to give a negative example here. Even though I had hoped for the world to take the responsibility for the future development of our globe during the Climate Conference in Copenhagen, I am not too surprised that the governments did not agree to any substantial obligations. |
| Best and worst tv and radio show |
Sorry, I hardly ever watch TV or listen to the radio |
| Best book, play, concert, movie and CD |
Book: My great hero, Dan Brown, came out with his new book. Just amazing. I could not stop reading until it was finished.
Play:
My biggest surprise on the stage was probably the Bejart Ballet here in Lausanne, which is just outstanding. I did not expect to find such a good group in such a small city. |
| What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2010? |
We have the most fantastic starting point: Dressage has never been on such a high level, and we have never experienced so much interest from the media and the spectators. I hope we can use this positive position to work together for the future of our sport. Let us be happy about the amazing level we see today, and not try to tear it down due to details. |
What do you wish for in 2010?
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My previous answer |
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 Eva Möller
Germany
Bronze medallist at the 2009 World Championships for Young Dressage Horses. Gold Medallist at the 2009 Bundeschampionate: both aboard Silvia Rizzo's Blickpunkt. |
| Most important event in your equestrian life in 2009? |
My highlight was the winning the gold medal at the "Bundeschampionate" in Warendorf and the bronze at the World Championships for Young Horses in Verden with Blickpunkt |
| Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2009? |
What happened at the Climate Conference in Copenhagen!! What do we need politicians for? |
| Best and worst tv and radio show |
As a mother of four children I don´t have much time for TV and I´m not too unhappy about it! |
| Best book, play, concert, movie and CD |
Best book: Frank Schätzings "Limit"
Best CD: My dear friend Paul van Dyk's album "Volume"
Concert: I loved "Coldplay" live in Hanover |
| What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2010? |
I would like to see less prophets in our sport, who are only negative! Live and let live. Especially German print media! Most of us act out of passion and respect for horses and do not mistreat our partners!! |
What do you wish for in 2010?
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As much health as possible and as much success as necessary! |
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 Laura Bechtolsheimer
Great Britain
Team Silver and Individual Bronze medallist at the 2009 European Dressage Championships in Windsor |
| Most important event in your equestrian life in 2009? |
The 2009 European Championships in Windsor |
| Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2009? |
Awareness of climate change and the importance of finding renewable energy sources. |
| Best and worst tv and radio show |
Best TV: Weeds
Worst TV: all day time tv! |
| Best book, play, concert, movie and CD |
Book: Gregory David Roberts' "Shantaram"
Play: Mamma Mia
Concert: Hey Negrita
CD: Kings of Leon's "Only By the Night" |
| What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2010? |
2010 will hopefully see a further increase in the popularity of the sport so that there is more coverage of it and an increase in sponsorship. |
What do you wish for in 2010?
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In 2010 I wish for my Grand Prix horses to stay sound and my youngsters to get closer to becoming stars!
(Another team and individual medal would be very welcome too!!) |
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 Catherine Haddad
U.S.A.
International Grand Prix rider, World Cup Finallist |
| Most important event in your equestrian life in 2009? |
1) CDIO Aachen. I often learn more from defeat than victory.
2) CDI Stuttgart. That was the first show where Cadillac let me ride him (in the Special) like I ride him at home. |
| Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2009? |
Regime change in the USA. It’s really nice to have a US President who can speak English. |
| Best and worst tv and radio show |
I was too busy in 2009 to watch television! |
| Best book, play, concert, movie and CD |
Book: Yann Martel's "Life of Pi"
Play: War Horse
Concert: Pink!
Movie: still "Gladiator"
CD: Pink's "Funhouse" |
| What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2010? |
I would like to see the FEI form, finance and educate a professional corps of dressage judges out of the already competent volunteer corps that we have today. I believe that people should be paid for their work and held accountable for it. I am for mine. Dressage is a professional sport. We invest a lot of money in our horses, training, travel and competitions. Now it is time to invest in our judges. |
What do you wish for in 2010?
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A new sponsor. I am incredibly grateful to the JSS Trust for supporting me from 2004-2009. We accomplished a lot together! I’d like to keep competing at the international level but that is really difficult to do that without financial support.
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 Chris Hector
Australia
Editor in Chief of The Horse Magazine |
| Most important event in your equestrian life in 2009? |
The European Dressage Championships in Windsor - Dressage is exciting again! |
| Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2009? |
Failure of world leaders to confront the issue of climate change at Copenhagen. Will polo become water polo? |
| Best and worst tv and radio show |
Don't watch tv
Best radio show: now that the Bob Dylan Radio Hour has finished - is the great Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keilor |
| Best book, play, concert, movie and CD |
Book: Peter Matthiessen's "Shadow Country"
Play:
Streetcar named desire - Cate Blanchett and her Sydney Theatre Company
Concert:
Leonard Cohen London concert (alas on DVD not live, but it means i can keep playing it over and over and over)
Movie:
not a movie fan
CD: Fred Astaire sings with Oscar Peterson (blue note) |
| What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2010? |
More new faces, new horses and less recycling of the same old same old stars |
What do you wish for in 2010?
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To catch up with lots of my friends at the WEG in Kentucky |
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 Patrik Kittel
SWE
Swedish Grand Prix Team rider and 2008 Swedish Olympic Team rider |
| Most important event in your equestrian life in 2009? |
The most important event was the European Championships in Windsor: a great show, great riding and so many good performences. I was really happy to have been there and my horse Scandic did really well for his young age.
My most important show was the CDI Falsterbo: to win in front of a home crowd is really amazing and with very good scores. |
| Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2009? |
That is a tough one..
Globally, the death of Michael Jackson. I think he was a convicted child and never had a chance in life. It was sad that he died even though I was not his biggest fan. He had a gift and to me he was abused utterly to the point of no return....
On a personal level, I think the most important happening was my engagment to Lyndal. Every day I am looking forward to the day i marry her. |
| Best and worst tv and radio show |
Since I discoverd Itunes I don't listen much to radio but when it comes to tv-shows they need to scratch many reality shows. Shows with people getting killed all the time. It's not such a long time ago I was a kid and what I see on TV today shocks me: the more brutal and the more twisted shows are, the more people seem to like it.
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| Best book, play, concert, movie and CD |
Book: I love Dan Brown so his books are on my favourite list
Moves: it's difficult because there are so many bad movies out there. I go for old classics like Notting Hill. (I freely admit I am a bit softy when it comes to movies)
Concerts: no time for concerts
CD: I download what I like. One of the good things of Internet. |
| What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2010? |
I think the dressage world is developing much: new combinations, top scoring, better breeding. I would choose people to focus more on the sport, the love for our horses and maybe for 1 minute think that we are not trying to get our horses down. Every dressage rider is trying to build his horse up to have a long, happy partnership with our horses. No other way can lead to long term success. |
What do you wish for in 2010?
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I wish myself, my family and all people health and happiness.
When I go out in the morning and see the farm, the horses, or lyndal I sometimes have to pinch myself: what more can a man want? |
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