End of the Year Questions 2022 - Part II

Sun, 12/25/2022 - 20:43
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 second instalment of the 2022 End of the Year Questions. More to come during the Christmas holidays. Part I here

Helena Schmitz-Morkramer
Germany
2022 European Young Riders Champion 

Most important event in your equestrian life in 2022?

European Young Riders Championships in Hartpury

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

Russian invasion in the Ukraine, death of queen Elizabeth II

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

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)

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

Less is more

What do you wish for in 2023? 

Healthy and happy horses
 
Thomas Baur
Germany
Show director, EEF Dressage Working Group board member

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.

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.

Best and worst tv and movie

Best TVThe Blacklist and Dogs of Berlin
Best Movie: Top Gun Maverick but it's a bit cheesy.
Worst TV: far too many bad shows

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

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

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
 
Thamar Zweistra
Holland
Dutch Grand Prix Team member 

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

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. 

Best and worst tv and movie

Best TV:  Bridgerton
Best Movie: Avatar 2 - The Way of Water
Worst TV: ?

Best book, play, concert, and song

Best Book: The Orphan's Song by Lauren Kate
Best Song: Close to You by Michael Prins

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

Happy Athletes, happy horses, happy publicity

What do you wish for in 2023? 

That people can see how beautiful our sport is.
 
Joao Victor Marcari Oliva
Brazil
Brazilian Olympic dressage 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?

The World Cup Football

Best and worst tv and movie

Best TV:  Vikings
Best Movie: Avatar 2 - The Way of Water
Worst TV: Troll

Best book, play, concert, and song

Best Concert: Gusttavo Lima
Best Song: Mal Feito by Hugo & Guilherme

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

I have no complaints

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
 
Ryan Torkkeli
Canada
Canadian Grand Prix team rider 

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 

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

People coughing into their elbow (thanks COVID) 

Best and worst tv and movie

Best TVBridgerton and Ozark
Best Movie: Elvis
Worst TV: Anne with an “e”

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

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.

What do you wish for in 2023? 

Health for my family, friends and animals
 
Hans-Christian Matthiesen
Denmark
5* judge, IDOC president 

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.

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.

Best and worst tv and movie

Best TVThe 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

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 !

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.

What do you wish for in 2023? 

Nothing but good health and peace
 
Related Link
End of the Year Questions 2022 - Part I