Last weekend Harrie Smolders scored for the second week in a row at a CSI5* show. After Geneva, he also managed to make a strong impression in London. "It's very difficult to plan ahead, so we take each week as it comes", said the Dutch rider.
"There are big question marks behind every important show in the coming weeks. But as long as my horses are in shape I want to go to as much shows as possible and we will do everything in our power to win. But making a solid plan is not possible though." tells Harrie. "On the positive side, we can once again enjoy Christmas and New Year with our family and friends!"
From Geneva to London.
"There was one essential difference, the size of the arena. In London it was a lot smaller than in Geneva. Luckily we can quickly adapt to that, that's also part of our job."
"I had the feeling beforehand we maybe could get too many clear combinations. I think the course builder was also nervous when after ten combinations there were already five clear rounds (laughs). But in hindsight, he put down a challenging and fair course. The spectators got to see spectacular sport and they were really full of enthusiasm. I was satisfied with our first course. Monaco may not have been 100% focused during the first round, but he still jumped very easy and light. We got a few light touches, but Monaco touched the poles lightly the last few days without mistakes so I wasn't too worried about it. Overall, Monaco once again put in a super performance."
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
"There are big question marks behind every important show in the coming weeks. But as long as my horses are in shape I want to go to as much shows as possible and we will do everything in our power to win. But making a solid plan is not possible though." tells Harrie. "On the positive side, we can once again enjoy Christmas and New Year with our family and friends!"
From Geneva to London.
"There was one essential difference, the size of the arena. In London it was a lot smaller than in Geneva. Luckily we can quickly adapt to that, that's also part of our job."
"I had the feeling beforehand we maybe could get too many clear combinations. I think the course builder was also nervous when after ten combinations there were already five clear rounds (laughs). But in hindsight, he put down a challenging and fair course. The spectators got to see spectacular sport and they were really full of enthusiasm. I was satisfied with our first course. Monaco may not have been 100% focused during the first round, but he still jumped very easy and light. We got a few light touches, but Monaco touched the poles lightly the last few days without mistakes so I wasn't too worried about it. Overall, Monaco once again put in a super performance."
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)