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
 Antonia Ax:son JohnsonSweden Title Sponsor World Dressage Masters, Owner Lovsta Stuteri |
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The most important event in 2011 was the three months that our Lövsta team, headed by Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven spent in Wellington, Florida with nine horses! Tinne and Caroline Darcourt had a super competition season culminating in the WDM five star show. Quite a crusade! In a few weeks we head back to Florida, this time to a farm of our own,"Lovsta South". On a personal level, I have met a Lusitano, Talento, who is born in Brazil (my mother's country!) and is now my daily delight together with my KWPN Turyn S. They keep me teaching and living the magic of dressage. |
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| As a family business owner the financial throes of Europe have kept us alert and quick to act yet the resilience of companies as politics flounder has been surprising. |
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| Best TV: the Arabian spring Best Radio: the daily news |
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| Best book: the magnificent poetry by Thomas Transtromer, the Nobel Prize winner in literature Best play: the fine-tuned Orion Circus with a fifth generation circus family directing and wonderful horses with a great sense of humor Best concert: my grandson's Christmas show and Tinne and Favourit dancing to their new freestyle Putting on the Ritz! |
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| In 2012 I hope that the issues of sustainability move strongly into the dressage world. Ethics, empathy, ecology, esthetics, economics: five words starting with a letter E that can change the world of dressage. And we have some tough issues to take a clear stand on, like" No blood sport". |
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| My new year's wish is a truly successful year for Sweden's dressage riders with a crescendo in London. Go Sweden, go! I especially wish for a continued growing fascination with dressage among the scores of young dressage riders. Let's keep them in the sport with support, coaching, mentorship, great examples and commitment. |
 Emmelie Scholtens The Netherlands Double World Young Dressage Horse Champion with Astrix, Pavo Cup Champion |
Most important event in your equestrian life in 2011? |
| The 2011 World Championships for Young Dressage Horses: Gold for Astrix and bronze for Bretton Woods |
Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2011? |
| the iPhone |
Best and worst tv and radio show |
| Best TV: The voice of Holland Worst TV: Dit is mijn lijf Best Radio: radio 538 |
Best book, play, concert, movie and CD |
| Best book: A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Housseini Best concert: De Toppers Best movie: De Heineken Ontvoering Best CD: so many |
What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2012? |
| For me to ride a Grand Prix test for once |
What do you wish for in 2012? |
| It might sound cliché but to stay healthy and happy and successful with all my horses. |
 Mary Seefried Australia O-judge |
Most important event in your equestrian life in 2011? |
| Judging the European Championships at Rotterdam. It was a very high standard and so many good performances and an opening up of dressage at the top. |
Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2011? |
| The Arab spring: giving hope to new generations that they can participate in the global world. |
Best and worst tv and radio show |
| Best TV: The Danish series The Killing Worst TV: Too many bad ones to distinguish |
Best book, play, concert, movie and CD |
| Best play: saw War Horse at the Lincoln Centre in New York and loved it. |
What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2012? |
| I have to say not much, that the prospects are looking very good for the sport. There is a renewed interest in dressage and solid support from organisers around the globe. Just witness what is happening in Florida. |
What do you wish for in 2012? |
| That the Olympics run without any complications and of course a wish for all riders to achieve their goals for 2012. |
 Terry Ciotti Gallo U.S.A. Kur composer |
Most important event in your equestrian life in 2011? |
| The development of Steffen Peters new kür for Ravel, which he debuted at the 2011 CDIO Aachen |
Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2011? |
| The crisis in world banking |
Best and worst tv and radio show |
| Best TV: Boss, especially Kelsey Grammer's powerful portrayal of the mayor Worst TV: I can't pick a worst, but I have seen a lot of mediocre. Over the past few years, I've noticed that the really "smart" shows --both comedy and drama-- don't last. That is very telling and sad. That being said, USA where "characters are welcome" is my favorite channel in general. |
Best book, play, concert, movie and CD |
| Best Book: I am now reading the second of the Stieg Larsson's trilogy. I would never have begun #2, if I didn't like #1. But my sentimental favorite is Adriana Trigiani's Very Valentine. |
What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2012? |
| I would like to see 0.1 (tenth) points allowed for Artistic Impression marks on FEI tests. There are two reasons. First, the coefficients for Artistic are very large. More importantly, the system does not really permit the judges to show range in the scores--especially difficulty. As everyone will be adjusting to .5 points for a while, perhaps we won't see another change along this line in 2012, but maybe 2013? For the national level tests, the United States Dressage Federation has allowed .1 points for Artistic in quadrille for several years, and last December put that ruling into effect for freestyle and pas de deux. |
What do you wish for in 2012? |
| I wish all a healthy, happy, and prosperous new year. |
 Richard Davison Great Britain British Performance Manager, Grand Prix rider |
Most important event in your equestrian life in 2011? |
| Team GB winning our first ever team gold medal. This makes everyone who is part of British Dressage feel so good and is a fitting reward for their support. |
Most important happening, evolution or trend in the world in 2011? |
| The economic crisis and especially the vulnerability of the euro. The repercussions of the irresponsible actions of bankers will continue to haunt us all for a long time yet. |
Best and worst tv and radio show |
| Best TV: Downton Abbey (bit cheesy, but good Sunday night viewing by the fireside) Worst TV: any reality programme, especially the Jungle one. |
Best book, play, concert, movie and CD |
| Best book: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson |
What would you like to see changed in the dressage world in 2012? |
| A genuine and sincere intent from Governing Bodies to provide open communication and dialogue with their stakeholders, especially through difficult times. |
What do you wish for in 2012? |
| That the people around me stay healthy and happy. That is more important than anything - you only live once. |
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