End of the Year Questions and Answers 2013 - Part IV

Wed, 01/01/2014 - 18:04
End of the Year Questions

Between Christmas and New Year, Eurodressage features its popular "End of the Year Questions" series. We have asked some stand-out dressage figures of 2013 to review their year and share their personal enterprises, observations, endeavours and opinions on life and equestrian sport.

Check out the fourth and last series of answers we gathered. Check out Part I, Part II and Part III

 

Monica Theodorescu
Germany
German Team Trainer


Most important event in your equestrian life in 2013?

The European Championships with my team winning the gold medal and Helen Langehanenberg winning double individual silver. It has been a great experience in Herning with perfectly organized Championships.


Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2013?

The flooding in south and eastern Germany which caused enormous problems for many stables. Europe getting healthier slowly and the death of Nelson Mandela, a man of greatest pride and dignity.


Best and worst tv and radio show

Best TV: The Champions League Final. Unfortunately Borussia Dortmund lost


Best book, play, concert, movie and CD

Best Book: "Thinking fast and slow" by Daniel Kahnemann
Best CD: Helene Grimaud playing the 1st and 2nd piano concertos of Johannes Brahms


What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2014?

I think our sport has moved into the right direction by awarding supple and harmonious performances with natural moving horses. We should all keep this direction and produce more positive stories for the media so that our sport gets more public recognition.


What do you wish for in 2014? 

Health and peace!

Michael Eilberg
Great Britain
British Grand Prix team member

Most important event in your equestrian life in 2013?
The Europeans in Herning. It was my first time riding at a Championships for my country.

Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2013?
Alex Furgerson retiring and Manchester United being out of the top four in the premier league

Best and worst tv and radio show
Best TV: X-factor
Worst TV: I dont like Downtown Abbey (which my sister loves)
Best Radio: Galaxy radio
Worst radio: classical radio

Best book, play, concert, movie and CD
Best book: I dont really read many books just horsey magazines.
Best play:
the last play I saw was The Lion King with my family few years ago, was quite good.
Best concert:
last one I went to was Rihanna but my favourite one is Bon Jovi.
Best movie:
I love movies and like most action films.
Best CD:
True Believers, by country singer Darius Rucker

What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2014?
Easing of heavy goods regulation for equine transport. .

What do you wish for in 2014? 
For all my family, friends and horses to be healthy and enjoy the year ahead

Marc Boblet
France
French Grand Prix team member

Most important event in your equestrian life in 2013?
The European Championships in Herning

Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2013?
The death of Nelson Mandela

Best and worst tv and radio show
Best TV: Mangas
Worst TV: reality shows

Best book, play, concert, movie and CD
Best movie: I like modern movies
Best CD:
U2, Phil Collins

What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2014?
There aren't that many things I would like to see changes, but I would like more room for the sport and less for politics.

What do you wish for in 2014? 
I wish that the world wide economic crisis ends and that life becomes easier for many of us


Lisanne Zoutendijk
The Netherlands
Dutch Pony Champion, European bronze and silver medallist

Most important event in your equestrian life in 2013?

The European Pony Championships in Arezzo.


Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2013?
The abdication of Queen Beatrix and succession by King Willem Alexander.

Best and worst tv and radio show
Best TV: The Walking Dead.

Best book, play, concert, movie and CD
Best book: The Boy in the Striped Pyjama
Best movie: Fast and the Furious

What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2014?

That the best combinations of the individuel test can start in the final freestyle test and not only the three best of a country.


What do you wish for in 2014? 
 I wish to be a member again of the Dutch pony dressage team at the European Championships in Millstreet.


Karen Robinson
Canada
journalist and freestyle designer

Most important event in your equestrian life in 2013?
Being asked to create a freestyle for Jan Ebeling's incredible new horse, Rassolini.

Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2013?
A steadily (but still too slow) growing awareness of the damage we are doing to the planet and its living things by squandering resources and polluting the way we do. And I don't exclude myself from the guilty. I drive my car too often and get on too many airplanes.

Best and worst tv and radio show
Best TV: The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Best Radio: 'Q' with Jian Ghomeshi on CBC (Canada's national radio network).
Worst TV - radio: I try to avoid bad TV and bad radio

Best book, play, concert, movie and CD
Best book: Brain On Fire by Susannah Cahalan
Best concert/performance: Odysseo
Best CD: I don't love the whole CD the same, but best song (and video), hands down, by far, for as long as I can remember: Safe and Sound by Capital Cities! 

What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2014?
I think the dressage world is ticking along nicely at the moment. I hope that WEG will not be a cake walk for Charlotte and Valegro and that we see some very exciting sport in Normandy.

What do you wish for in 2014? 
I wish to have a happier year in 2014 than in 2013, which had too many sick beloved friends and family for my taste.

Ulla Salzgeber
Germany
German A-team rider

Most important event in your equestrian life in 2013?
The CDI-W Stuttgart (ed. note: where Ulla scored high enough to be resubmitted to the German A-team)

Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2013?
The death of Nelson Mandela.

Best and worst tv and radio show
Best TV:  The Voice of Germany
Worst TV: Dschungelcamp 

Best book, play, concert, movie and CD
Best book: Ken Follett's Fall of Giants
Best Movie: Stefan Schaller's Five Years
Best CD: Tim Bendzko's Am seidenen Faden
Best Musical: "Tarzan" in Hamburg

What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2014?
Same medication rules for shows in Germany as they are for the international shows.

What do you wish for in 2014? 
That my family and I stay in good health, that my horses will be as I expect and hope!  And that coming summer will bring lots of sun..

Related Links
End of the Year Questions and Answers 2012
End of the Year Questions and Answers 2011
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