"I always look forward to CHIO. Not just because we often win as a team, but also because it's a beautiful, special competition. The volunteers, the setting, the location in Kralingse Bos. Rotterdam is a classic and breathes history, I'm always happy to be part of it," says show jumper Harrie Smolders. This special anniversary year, he’s joining once again.
As usual, our fellow Dutchman Harrie Smolders, who lives in Lage Mierde, Brabant, is in good spirits, cracking one joke after another. He responds enthusiastically and relaxed to our questions. "I think I’ve been competing in Rotterdam since I was sixteen and now I'm 26, so that's ten years. Unfortunately... I'm already 44, so I've been coming here for almost 20 years. It's different from other competitions, and I believe that's largely due to the atmosphere among the team members. You really feel that it's special for them and that everyone wants to be here."
Longines League of Nations
"This year is the first time for the Longines League of Nations™️. I already competed with the team in Ocala, and I was supposed to ride in St. Gallen, but as you know, it was canceled due to bad weather. Ocala was amazing. This Longines League of Nations™️ gives a special feeling; it feels like you’re at a championship. We riders are even more motivated for it, and you’ll notice that in Rotterdam too. There's a very strong field of competitors in Rotterdam because for many, it’s the last big event before Paris. I think the Longines League of Nations™️ is a great showcase for show jumping, and having it on the calendar in the Netherlands is fantastic. I really appreciate how you promote this League."
Uricas vd Kattevennen and Monaco
"One consequence of the Longines League of Nations™️ is that I can only bring two horses instead of three. I’m bringing my two best: Uricas vd Kattevennen and Monaco. Uricas is a twelve-year-old dark bay Holsteiner stallion. What's special about him is that he knows exactly who’s riding him. For instance, when my son is on him, he’s like a riding school horse, but when I ride him, he immediately shows his spirit and goes all out. Monaco is a fifteen-year-old gelding. He’s also dark bay and a Holsteiner. Monaco is a real character. He's like a pet, and all the grooms at the competitions know him because he always begs everyone for treats."
Medal chances in Paris
We ask our cheerful interviewee about TeamNL's chances for Paris. Harrie responds enthusiastically: "If the horses that are in the running stay fit and in form, we definitely have a chance for a medal. Our top tier isn't very broad at the moment, but with the riders we have, we’re truly going for a medal, hopefully the highest one."
"We're also coming to Rotterdam with the best possible team. As I’ve said before, we want to complete that quartet of team victories. Three was great, but four in a row would be amazing. Of course, we ride according to the format of the Longines League of Nations™️, which means that in the first round, all four combinations ride and there’s a drop score, and in the second round, only three riders compete, and all three scores count. It might be a bit harder for outsiders to understand."
The crowd as the twelfth man
We ask if Harrie has any special preparations planned for the coming weekend. He laughs again. Harrie: "My own preparation will be the same as always. Monaco has this week off. He was in Cannes last week and is getting a lovely massage this weekend. Uricas is coming with me to Opglabbeek. I was supposed to ride him in St. Gallen, but since that was canceled, I’m going to do a few rounds in Opglabbeek to get the right focus for next week."
Source: CHIO
As usual, our fellow Dutchman Harrie Smolders, who lives in Lage Mierde, Brabant, is in good spirits, cracking one joke after another. He responds enthusiastically and relaxed to our questions. "I think I’ve been competing in Rotterdam since I was sixteen and now I'm 26, so that's ten years. Unfortunately... I'm already 44, so I've been coming here for almost 20 years. It's different from other competitions, and I believe that's largely due to the atmosphere among the team members. You really feel that it's special for them and that everyone wants to be here."
Longines League of Nations
"This year is the first time for the Longines League of Nations™️. I already competed with the team in Ocala, and I was supposed to ride in St. Gallen, but as you know, it was canceled due to bad weather. Ocala was amazing. This Longines League of Nations™️ gives a special feeling; it feels like you’re at a championship. We riders are even more motivated for it, and you’ll notice that in Rotterdam too. There's a very strong field of competitors in Rotterdam because for many, it’s the last big event before Paris. I think the Longines League of Nations™️ is a great showcase for show jumping, and having it on the calendar in the Netherlands is fantastic. I really appreciate how you promote this League."
Uricas vd Kattevennen and Monaco
"One consequence of the Longines League of Nations™️ is that I can only bring two horses instead of three. I’m bringing my two best: Uricas vd Kattevennen and Monaco. Uricas is a twelve-year-old dark bay Holsteiner stallion. What's special about him is that he knows exactly who’s riding him. For instance, when my son is on him, he’s like a riding school horse, but when I ride him, he immediately shows his spirit and goes all out. Monaco is a fifteen-year-old gelding. He’s also dark bay and a Holsteiner. Monaco is a real character. He's like a pet, and all the grooms at the competitions know him because he always begs everyone for treats."
Medal chances in Paris
We ask our cheerful interviewee about TeamNL's chances for Paris. Harrie responds enthusiastically: "If the horses that are in the running stay fit and in form, we definitely have a chance for a medal. Our top tier isn't very broad at the moment, but with the riders we have, we’re truly going for a medal, hopefully the highest one."
"We're also coming to Rotterdam with the best possible team. As I’ve said before, we want to complete that quartet of team victories. Three was great, but four in a row would be amazing. Of course, we ride according to the format of the Longines League of Nations™️, which means that in the first round, all four combinations ride and there’s a drop score, and in the second round, only three riders compete, and all three scores count. It might be a bit harder for outsiders to understand."
The crowd as the twelfth man
We ask if Harrie has any special preparations planned for the coming weekend. He laughs again. Harrie: "My own preparation will be the same as always. Monaco has this week off. He was in Cannes last week and is getting a lovely massage this weekend. Uricas is coming with me to Opglabbeek. I was supposed to ride him in St. Gallen, but since that was canceled, I’m going to do a few rounds in Opglabbeek to get the right focus for next week."
Source: CHIO