End of the Year Questions 2022 - Part III

Tue, 12/27/2022 - 15:49
End of the Year Questions

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 third instalment of the 2022 End of the Year Questions.

Part I and Part II are here.

 

Maribel Alonso
Mexico
5* dressage judge, Chair of the FEI Dressage Committee 

Most important event in your equestrian life in 2022?

The World Championships in Herning

Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2022?

The armed conflict

Best and worst tv and movie

Best TV:  Anatomy of a Scandal, Wednesday
Best Movie: Argentina 1985
Worst Movie: Wakanda Forever

Best book, play, concert, and song

Best Book:  La Otra Isabel, a historic novel by Laura Martínez-Belli
Best Concert: Adele at Carnegie Hall
Best Songs of the Year: Cold Heart by Elton John and Dua Lipa, the remix

What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2023?

Finding common grounds to establish a better dialogue to  work  together with one goal in mind: how to make Dressage better

What do you wish for in 2023? 

Peace
 
Melissa Galloway
New Zealand
New Zealand Grand Prix team rider

Most important event in your equestrian life in 2022?

It’s very hard to choose between Aachen and the world championships in Herning. Both were very special for different reasons and both incredible experiences that I am very grateful for.

Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2022?

The world opening up again post covid

Best and worst tv and movie

Best TV: Yellowstone
Best Movie: Top Gun maverick

Best book, play, concert, and song

Best Concert: Lottie Fry and Glamourdale rocking it in the arena at Herning 2022…. That was quite the show and so incredible to be apart of.

What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2023?

Continued support and encouragement between riders, coaches and judges of every level.

What do you wish for in 2023? 

Happy and healthy family, friends and horses.
 
Johanna Due Boje
Sweden
Swedish A-squad listed Grand Prix rider

Most important event in your equestrian life in 2022?

Gold at the Nordic championships and silver at the Swedish championships shortly after giving birth to my first child made me very proud. I’m so happy I can combine the equestrian life and being a mom!

Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2022?

The Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the death of Queen Elisabeth. The way many things are getting back to normal after years of Covid Restrictions.

Best and worst tv and movie

Best TV:  Bridgerton
Best Movie: Watching Pippi Longstocking a lot with my daughter nowadays and I’m still a big fan haha!
Worst TV: Emily in Paris season 3 was a bit disappointing

Best book, play, concert, and song

Best Book: Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2023?

I’m all for being able to choose between snaffle or double bridle in dressage all the way to international Grand Prox. In Sweden we’re allowed to choose since a few years and I think it’s great to be able to choose whatever the horse likes the best. I haven’t seen any difference in the judging here in Sweden and I’ve been using both past years.

What do you wish for in 2023? 

Peace in the world first of all… On personal note, happy healthy horses and family. For my youngsters to get the priority they deserve after being a bit sidelined during my year with a newborn and focus on Mazy Klovenhoj.
 
Lyndal Oatley
Australia
Australian Olympic team rider 

Most important event in your equestrian life in 2022?

The World Championships in Herning. Was s truly a humbling experience. I was so very proud of my Eros in the Grand Prix giving all he could both physically and mentally. 

Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2022?

For me it’s two happenings. Firstly, The passing of The Queen and all that surrounds the royal family. The death of Her Majesty represents a passing of a true leader and a woman who sacrificed her life for duty. Secondly, the war in the Ukraine. Over 300 days and still no end. The world feels so fragile. 

Best and worst tv and movie

Best TV:  I really enjoyed Chris Hemsworth’s Limitless. Despite the obvious visual appeal, it was beautifully filmed and was seriously interesting. And ready for White Lotus
Best Movie: I like to escape and have a laugh, and don’t like anything dark or too thought provoking when I switch off so The Lost City was a win for me as it’s a happy distraction.
Worst TV: I actually hit 'next' pretty quickly if I don’t like something

Best book, play, concert, and song

Best Book: I haven’t had the time to read a book for myself from cover to cover, so it’s one of Emilia’s ‘The Lion Inside’ by Rachel Bright.
Best Concert:  I haven’t ventured into that side of the real world yet post Corona. 
Best Song: Sigrid's Don’t You Feel Like Crying (MK Remix) makes you want to move and reminds me of one of my favourite people who is pure goodness. 

What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2023?

More authenticity. I really respect most those who are their true selves. You don’t have to be perfect to be a Champion, and I think it’s more relatable if you are who you are and represent that on social media. 

What do you wish for in 2023? 

 Quality time both in the arena and with my family and friends. And maybe the chance to actually read a book
 
Sönke Rothenberger
Germany
Former German team Olympian, 2022 Louisdor Cup winner 

Most important event in your equestrian life in 2022?

Fendi‘s win in the Louisdor Cup in Frankfurt with a record score.

Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2022?

All in all considering the war in the Ukraine, it unfortunately seems like the trends go back to war and confrontation rather than looking for diplomatic solutions.

Best and worst tv and movie

Best TV:  Rings of Power
Best Movie: Black Panther Wakanda Forever and Top Gun Maverick
Worst TV: Jurassic World Dominion

Best book, play, concert, and song

Best Book/Podcast: I’m more the podcast type of person. There I would go for “2 Man & 1 Paardenkop”
Best Concert: Unfortunately we missed Dua Lipa's but we heard it was amazing!
Best Song: Calm Down by Rema

What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2023?

I’d like to see riders stand closer together when it comes to defending and advertising our sport against pressure groups. Equitation to me is the most beautiful sport in the world which we should cherish and develop internally and not let external non-horse people dictate how equitation should be done.

What do you wish for in 2023? 

I think what we’ve learned is, that health is the most important so that’s what I wish for in 2023 for all my friends and family 2 legged and 4 legged.
 
Jose Antonio Garcia Mena
Spain
Spanish Olympic team rider 

Most important event in your equestrian life in 2022?

The World Championships in Herning

Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2022?

I think we are having a great and positive evolution in the horse shows. Amazing riders and horses, great venues.

Best and worst tv and movie

Best TV:  Actually I’m not a series person so, I haven’t seen no one this year. I nearly only see the news on tv
Best Movie: Top Gun Maverick
Worst TV: Maybe all the same Christmas movies at this time of the year are getting boring, but of course they are not bad

Best book, play, concert, and song

Best Concert: the only thing I went to were horse shows, and again Herning and also Aachen were something else.
Best Book: Trust by Hernan Diaz
Best Song: Probably my own freestyle music based on songs from The Greatest Show Man among others. I also like typical Spanish music.

What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2023?

 I’d love to see a positive evolution of the dressage, we are on a good way, so to keep that. More shows maybe also new venues, support and fairness.

What do you wish for in 2023? 

Health and peace in the world
 
Related Links
End of the Year Questions 2022 - Part I
End of the Year Questions 2022 - Part II