End of the Year Questions
During the Christmas holidays Eurodressage's most popular "End of the Year Questions" series returns to the website. We have asked the most important dressage figures of 2011, and that can include riders, trainers, judges, journalists and other prominent dressage personalities, to review the year 2011.
This Q&A session gives the interviewees the opportunity to look back on their equestrian year 2011 as well give you an idea of their interests outside the horse world.
Check out 2011 End of the Year Questions - Part I
Check out 2011 End of the Year Questions - Part II
Check out 2011 End of the Year Questions - Part III
Check out 2011 End of the Year Questions - Part IV
 Patrik KittelSweden European Kur bronze medallist |
|
|
| The bronze medal at the European Championships in Rotterdam was so amazing I will never forget it. I cried like a big baby as I had been dreaming about a medal, any medal since I was 11 years old, so it was very special for me. |
|
|
| Tthe Euro crisis. God only knows how it will go. |
|
|
| Don't watch that much tv. Worst tv: I am very tired off all the X factor, Idol, Talent programs. Next thing they will find the new President. |
|
|
| Best CD: 21, by Adele. I love her, she is great Best movie: Black Swan. It was really interesting to see the diffrent personalites in one person, and how the fear and devotion to sucess can change you and sometimes destroy you if you don't watch out. |
|
|
| Bring back the old Grand Prix special and five judges. I don't mind the Judging Supervisory Panel as they do change some things in Rotterdam. Some judges missed changes on me and they corrected it. I have no problems with that. I want the judging to be as good as possible In Stockholm I won with 0.1%: imagine it happens to someone at the Olympics because a judges had a sneeze and missed to see a change. I think we are developing our lovely sport in a good way and Rotterdam was such a nice feeling. |
|
|
| To stay happy, healthy so my wife and I keep on having a great time so that we both can go to the Olympics. There is so much good things going on; I had an amazing year and I pinch myself everyday to see when i will wake up. |
 Wojtek Markowski Poland O-judge, Technical Delegate |
Most important event in your equestrian life in 2011? |
| My nomination as a Technical Delegate for the Olympics in London 2012 and judging at the most important FEI Championships: World Cup Finals, World Young Horse Championships, European Championships, European Pony Championships and CDIO Aachen. Also the organization of a TD seminar in Wrocław and course/seminar for judges. Another highlight are the very good results of the Polish riders in Rotterdam |
Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2011? |
| Systematic progress in designing the drugs against most common diseases of our time. The bad trend in world economy systems and the crisis in Euripe (lucky for my country it is not so deep until now) |
Best and worst tv and radio show |
| as usually I only listen to the radio: channel II |
Best book, play, concert, movie and CD |
| Best book: Umberto Eco's Ill cimentero Praque and W. Łysiak's Satynowy magik Best musical: U. Jurgens' I have never been in New York (in Vienna) Best movie " Come back home Best CD: collection of old French songs by Edith Piaf |
What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2012? |
| After the 2012 Olympic Games the beginning of the discussion how to change the qualification system for the next Olympic Games. |
What do you wish for in 2012? |
| for Poland to be in London as a team, fair and good sport during the Olympics, for all people to avoid economic crisis and be healthy. |
 Kyra Kyrklund Finland President of the International Dressage Riders Club |
Most important event in your equestrian life in 2011? |
| The European Championships in Rotterdam. The Swedish team qualified for the Olympics and the Finnish team almost did it (first time out) and of course the historic gold medal for the British team. It's good for the sport when "new" countries can make it to the medals. |
Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2011? |
| The financial instability in the world. I think everybody feels the uncertainty. |
Best and worst tv and radio show |
| Best TV: we were glued to the TV watching Dawnton Abbey Worst TV: all the "reality shows" (I dont waist any time watching them) |
Best book, play, concert, movie and CD |
| Best CD: Arto Paasilinna's Paradisets fångar |
What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2012? |
| That the IDRC can choose themselves a rider representative for the FEI Dressage Commitee. |
What do you wish for in 2012? |
| Good health for my family and friends and of course for all our beloved animals too! |
 John McEwen Great Britain chair of the FEI Veterinary Committee |
Most important event in your equestrian life in 2011? |
| Team GB’s dressage gold medal at the European Championships. A very special moment for our team and for me personally. I also think that is very good for the sport after the dominance by two major equestrian nations over a long period of time. |
Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2011? |
| The expansion of equestrian sport world wide and the success achieved by nations who are relative new comers to top level equestrian sports, despite the world economic down turn. |
Best and worst tv and radio show |
| I get far too little time to watch and listen. However there are shows that I would not give a minute of my time to such as many of the so called reality shows, such as Big Brother (why not Big Sister?). Best TV: one brilliant wild life series that was amazing: Frozen Planet. |
Best book, play, concert, movie and CD |
| Best Play: This month I finally got round to seeing the most moving play War Horse. It is a must see. My Grandfather ran Field Hospitals in the trenches during the First world war so it was particularly poignant to me. Best CD: 21, by Adele. She has a fantastic voice. Best Concert: getting to the Metropolitan Opera in New York |
What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2012? |
| I think there have been useful steps forward this year but more is needed and I would like to see a harmonisation of the voices within dressage to take the sport forward faster. Let's continue to make the sport more understandable to the non–dressage spectator. |
What do you wish for in 2012? |
| I would like to see brilliant performances across the board at the London Olympics and a clean games from the anti-doping perspective. |
 Isabell Werth Germany Team silver medallist at the 2011 European Championships, former Olympic champion |
Most important event in your equestrian life in 2011? |
| Satchmo’s retirement in Stuttgart. |
Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2011? |
| I felt very shocked by the terrorist attack on the Norwegian island Utøya which left so many parents without their children. |
Best and worst tv and radio show |
| I mostly listen to CDs when I am riding and don’t really get a chance to watch very much TV |
Best book, play, concert, movie and CD |
| Best concert: I went to James Blunts concert in Oberhausen with my team. We really enjoyed ourselves. Best CD: Anastacia |
What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2012? |
| Everybody who rides should wear a helmet! |
What do you wish for in 2012? |
| Health and happiness for my family, friends, team and horses.. |
Related Links
End of the Year Questions and Answers 2010
End of the Year Questions and Answers 2009
End of the Year Questions and Answers 2008
End of the Year Questions and Answers 2006