One of Eurodressage's most favoured series is back. With the end of the year rapidly approaching, the time has come to ask some riders, trainers, judges, journalists and other prominent dressage personalities to review the year 2010. With their answers they can point out what they considered the most important evolutions and happenings in their personal and professional life.
 Trond AsmyrNorway FEI Dressage Director |
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| This must be the World Equestrian Games. A fantastic opportunity to show the world all sides of our great sport. For the first time Para-Dressage was also included. For me personally this was the first time to be an "insider" at such a big event and this in itself was developing for me. |
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| I think the publishing of all the documents by Wikileaks has changed the world forever. Anything which has been regarded as confidential till now, can be published in the future. |
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| When I want to relax, I like watching "the weakest link" on BBC. It tests my own knowledge and I also love the rather sarcastic replies. |
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| Best book: "Den urolige mannen" by the Swede Henning Mankell Living in Lausanne now, I have the big pleasure to watch the Bejart ballet ensemble when they visit their home town once or twice a year. Best movie: I do not think I have seen a full movie this year! I always plan to do so during a long haul flight, but I tend to fall asleep. Best CD: I very much enjoy listening Josh Groban and am now listening to his newest album Illuminations |
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| We have experienced heavy critisism on the judges during the last years, culminating with the WEG. This has gone further than what is deserved, but I have seen a very positive development during the last few months, where all parties seem to join forces to improve instead of only criticise. This will bring us forward. There are no quick fixes to this and we must be open to evaluate all ideas which are brought up on the table. We will implement important changes as of the New Year, but the work cannot stop with this. We need a continous development. |
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| I wish for a successful implementation of all the changes the FEI introduces from January 2011. There are more changes than at any New Year before as far as I know. They will bring our sport a big step forward, for the best for all our stakeholders. They have also been consulted through the whole process. The Dressage Committee and the FEI Department have introduced a much wider consultation process and interactive communication through open meetings with the stakeholders than ever before. My wish is also that everyone see the value and manages to use this to its full potential. |
 Laura Bechtolsheimer Great Britain Triple silver medal winning WEG dressage rider |
Most important event in your equestrian life in 2010? |
| Winning the team silver medal at 2010 World Equestrian Games in Kentucky |
Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2010? |
| Global freezing! |
Best and worst tv and radio show |
| The X-factor is the best and worst! |
Best book, play, concert, movie and CD |
| Best book: 'Waiting for Columbus" Best play: Warhorse - amazing Best concert: Kings of Leon in Hyde Park Best movie: Inception Best CD: I download from itunes all the time so don't know! |
What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2011? |
| I think in 2010 the stewarding has improved a lot and I hope this trend continues |
What do you wish for in 2011? |
| For 2011 I am hoping that Alf (Mistral Hojris) stays fit and motivated and wins some more shiny things and that my youngsters start to compete successfully too! |
 Jacob Melissen The Netherlands Photographer, press officer for the Dutch Equestrian Federation |
Most important event in your equestrian life in 2010? |
| The victory of the Dutch show jumping team in the Meydan Nations Cup in Dublin |
Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2010? |
| WikiLeaks |
Best and worst tv and radio show |
| TV: I rarely watch television but "The Voice of Holland" is the worst tv-show in The Netherlands. The best tv-show remains to be Fawlty Towers. Radio: the worst is Premtime, the best "Met het oog op morgen" |
Best book, play, concert, movie and CD |
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Best book: of course "Moorlands Totilas, the Living Legend." No seriously, best book: "De Bos Wateratlas van Nederland" |
What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2011? |
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Totilas returning to Gal, but this is not realistic so I would choose for a reconsideration of the rules which are made to protect the welfare of the horse. I mean that the elimination of a combination when a judge sees blood in the saliva is correct, but the FEI needs to appoint a vet who can inspect whether the welfare of the horse is compromised. If not, than the combination should be allowed to compete again. |
What do you wish for in 2011? |
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For everyone I wish a good health, prosper and sportmanship, in the sense that everyone has to realise that if you don't know what it means to lose, than you don't know what it means to win. |
 Michal Rapcewicz Poland Individual WEG dressage rider |
Most important event in your equestrian life in 2010? |
| My most important experience in 2010 was the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky. I made the impossible possible for my country as i was the first Polish dressage rider to reached the finals. |
Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2010? |
| The most expensive horse in the world has been sold! For me personally: I met my new sponsor |
Best and worst tv and radio show |
| Best Tv: X-Factor in the UK Worst tv: I really do not have time for that |
Best book, play, concert, movie and CD |
| Best movie: Salt Best play: Cirque Du Solei |
What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2011? |
| I hope we can keep World Dressage Masters |
What do you wish for in 2011? |
| Good health to everybody and dreams come true! |
 Katherine Bateson USA American WEG team rider |
Most important event in your equestrian life in 2010? |
| Competing in the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky on the US team. A dream come true!!!! |
Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2010? |
| The most important happening for us in 2010 in our horsey lives was Jane Clark, the owner of my WEG horse Nartan, had horses in three disciplines representing the USA at the World Equestrian Games. Another dream come true The most exciting evolution right now is my iPad. Games. Books, the internet and everything else all in one place |
Best and worst tv and radio show |
| Best TV show is a tie between Criminal Minds and Glee. I know. Total opposites! Best radio show: Howard Stern on Sirius radio Worst TV show: Jersey Shore Worst radio show would be any country western radio |
Best book, play, concert, movie and CD |
| Best book: The Lost Symbol," by Dan Brown Best play: Mama Mia. Hope a musical counts Best concert: I haven't been to a concert in a few years but Peter Gabriel was the best concert I ever went to. Best cd: the newest Glee cd |
What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2011? |
| I would like to see more tolerance. I hate to read all the negativity on bulletin boards from people who don't really know the people they so strongly criticize. It's so easy to sit behind a keyboard and say mean things about people but not so easy to actually put yourself out there for criticism! |
What do you wish for in 2011? |
| I wish for health and happiness for my friends and family. I also wish for much success in 2011 and that MAYBE this will be the year that my husband and I will take a couple of days for ourselves |
More End of the Year questions and answers coming soon!
Related Links
End of the Year Questions and Answers 2009
End of the Year Questions and Answers 2008
