The 12-year-old stallion Uricas van de Kattevennen, a son of Uriko, is moving to the United States where he will continue his career under American rider Callie Schott. The horse was sold to Southern Arches, a well-known American sport stable. For Dutch rider Harrie Smolders, this means saying goodbye to a horse with which he achieved some of his greatest performances.
In an emotional statement, Harrie Smolders looked back on the special cooperation with Uricas:
"Uricas; the one and only. Your looks, your canter, your attitude, your bravery, your courage and last but not least, your performances. As a team we are very grateful that we have been part of such a successful journey. From an 8yr old you stepped up to 5* Grand Prix wins and set our career with another Olympic milestone in Paris. The process of progress gave us so much satisfaction and we believe the best is still to come."
“Delivering another world-class horse makes us incredibly proud, and we wish you and your new rider all the best. We will continue to be your biggest supporters, and we will continue to follow and encourage you wherever we can. Good luck, my friend.”
A brilliant career
Uricas van de Kattevennen began his international career modestly, but under Smolders grew into a fixture at the highest level of show jumping. The duo achieved multiple victories and podium finishes in 5* Grand Prix competitions, including impressive performances at the Global Champions Tour. One of the highlights was their participation in the Paris Olympics (2024), where they were part of the Dutch team.
In addition to the victories, Uricas was praised for his exceptional character and work ethic. His strength, agility and courage made him a favorite with fans and professionals alike.
