They are back !!! After a five-year break we decided to re-instate this popular end of the year Q & A series with replies posted between Christmas and the New Year.
The End of the Year Questions series was started in 2006 and ran through 2013. In 2017 we once picked it up again, but put it back in the freezer for the past five years. Let's revisit and see how key dressage figures respond now as the world keeps changing.
We asked some stand-out dressage figures of 2022 to review their year and share their personal observations, endeavours and opinions on life and equestrian sport as well as their goals achieved.
This is the second instalment of the 2022 End of the Year Questions. More to come during the Christmas holidays. Part I here
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Most important event in your equestrian life in 2022? |
| European Young Riders Championships in Hartpury |
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Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2022? |
| Russian invasion in the Ukraine, death of queen Elizabeth II |
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Best and worst tv and movie |
| Best TV: Wednesday Best Movie: Avatar 2 - The Way of Water Worst TV: Harry and Meghan Worst Movie: Amsterdam |
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Best book, play, concert, and song |
| Best Book: A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara Best Concert: Dua Lipa Best Songs of the Year: The Color Violet (Tory Lanez), We‘re good (Dua Lipa), Bizcochito (Rosalia), Firebabe (Stormzy) |
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What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2023? |
| Less is more |
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What do you wish for in 2023? |
| Healthy and happy horses |
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Most important event in your equestrian life in 2022? |
| There are quite a few. The Desert Dressage Season 22/23 where we have been able to establish a sustainable circuit in California. The inaugural CDIs at the beautiful venue of TerraNova/Myakka City and the success of the new CDI-W in Olomouc. From a sport perspective the U25/Children European Championships in Pilisjaszfalu. |
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Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2022? |
| That the people in our sport will be held accountable for their actions. In general most of the trends are going in the wrong direction, but I'm very happy to see that Black Horse One is bringing the presentation of our sport to the next level and has developed a new Entry System for CDIs which we will implement in Wellington next month. |
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Best and worst tv and movie |
| Best TV: The Blacklist and Dogs of Berlin Best Movie: Top Gun Maverick but it's a bit cheesy. Worst TV: far too many bad shows |
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Best book, play, concert, and song |
| Best Book: The President is missing by James Patterson/Bill Clinton Best Concert: A little concert at the Kurpark in Bad Ischl performed by school children Best Song: West Coast by OneRepublic |
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What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2023? |
| That the keyboard warriors who think that they know everything about training and horsemanship are not acknowledged |
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What do you wish for in 2023? |
| Peace for Ukraine and the end of the Mullah Regime in Iran. On a personal note more horse shows with my wife |
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Most important event in your equestrian life in 2022? |
| The World Championships in Herning, the World Cup Finals in Leipzig and winning silver at the Dutch Championships was also very cool |
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Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2022? |
| War and the trend that leaders still think in terms of countries and not us on the planet. |
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Best and worst tv and movie |
| Best TV: Bridgerton Best Movie: Avatar 2 - The Way of Water Worst TV: ? |
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Best book, play, concert, and song |
| Best Book: The Orphan's Song by Lauren Kate Best Song: Close to You by Michael Prins |
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What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2023? |
| Happy Athletes, happy horses, happy publicity |
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What do you wish for in 2023? |
| That people can see how beautiful our sport is. |
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Most important event in your equestrian life in 2022? |
| The World Championships in Herning |
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Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2022? |
| The World Cup Football |
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Best and worst tv and movie |
| Best TV: Vikings Best Movie: Avatar 2 - The Way of Water Worst TV: Troll |
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Best book, play, concert, and song |
| Best Concert: Gusttavo Lima Best Song: Mal Feito by Hugo & Guilherme |
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What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2023? |
| I have no complaints |
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What do you wish for in 2023? |
| I wish to represent my country on the PanAmerican games with a good team and go for the medal’s |
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Most important event in your equestrian life in 2022? |
| Definitely the World Championships in Herning Also winning the Grand Prix Special in Stadl Paura and hearing the Canadian anthem was incredibly special Receiving award for Athlete of the year from Dressage Canada |
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Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2022? |
| People coughing into their elbow (thanks COVID) |
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Best and worst tv and movie |
| Best TV: Bridgerton and Ozark Best Movie: Elvis Worst TV: Anne with an “e” |
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Best book, play, concert, and song |
| Best Book: When Breath becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi Best CD: My groom Ama and I put on some incredible concerts in the lorry driving to competitions this year. Mostly Alanis Morrisette, Jewel, Stevie Nicks and Lauryn Hill. I think we sounded pretty good |
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What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2023? |
| The opportunity to choose to ride with the snaffle or double bridle. |
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What do you wish for in 2023? |
| Health for my family, friends and animals |
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Most important event in your equestrian life in 2022? |
| No doubt, the World Championship in Herning. The best organized championships in years. I was only behind the scenes, judging CDI and conducting FEI judges seminar, but what a great experience. |
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Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2022? |
| More focus and hopefully good discussions about the future of the sport. I think it's time to step forward and (not defend, but…) explain our sport. We must listen to new trends and ideas, and as a dressage community we must see to include as many as possible. |
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Best and worst tv and movie |
| Best TV: The Crown season 5, Squid Game Best Movie: Besides Top Gun Maverick, a Danish movie Speak No Evil (Gæsterne) Worst TV: When it's bad, I usually fall asleep |
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Best book, play, concert, and song |
| Best Book: This was the year of podcasts for me - I listen to many, reading is a luxury ! Best Concert: I saw the musical Pretty Woman with my daughter ….that was a hit Best CD: probably some really good freestyles at a competition ! |
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What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2023? |
| As always more education for officials, good fruitful discussions with respect for each other's opinion, more collaboration between different stakeholders and the FEI. |
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What do you wish for in 2023? |
| Nothing but good health and peace |
| Related Link End of the Year Questions 2022 - Part I |
Helena Schmitz-Morkramer
Thomas Baur
Thamar Zweistra
Joao Victor Marcari Oliva
Ryan Torkkeli
Hans-Christian Matthiesen