Harrie Smolders Takes on the Dutch Masters

You are the current Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping live contender ahead of your home Major, The Dutch Masters. What does this mean to you?

The Dutch Masters is always a very special show for us in the Netherlands, as it is one of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Majors. It also holds personal significance for me – when I was a child I first got to see international riders compete in person there for the first time. That experience is what inspired me to become a show jumper, and now it is our turn to inspire the next generation.

This is the first time I have been the live contender for the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping. Winning the Rolex Grand Prix at the CHI Geneva in December last year was my first Rolex Major victory, and with that has come more attention – and more pressure. We all know how difficult it is to win just one Major, let alone two in a row. To win three consecutively is the ultimate challenge, and it has only happened once in history.

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It is an incredible feeling to have the Rolex Grand Prix win under my belt from the CHI Geneva, and I am really looking forward to The Dutch Masters.

Reflecting on your victory in the Rolex Grand Prix at the CHI Geneva – how did you feel when you entered the jump-off as first to go?

Normally, you do not want to be the first to go in the jump-off – it is usually an advantage to go later, as you know exactly what you need to do and what time you have to beat. In the Rolex Grand Prix at the CHI Geneva, we were up against the very best horse and rider combinations in the world, so I knew I had to set the pace from the start and deliver a perfect round.

Fortunately, everything came together on the day. Watching the other riders was incredibly nerve-wracking. It is not often that you go first and still win such a big Grand Prix, you are never sure what will happen when you have that level of talent behind you.

Show jumping at this level demands a deep partnership between rider and horse – how do you build and maintain that connection with your horses?

I have known Monaco since he was seven-years-old, and we know each other inside out. Our bond is incredibly strong, and we have maintained great consistency over the years. He has been a key horse for the Dutch team at Championships and the FEI World Cup™ Finals, always delivering when it matters most.

His consistency throughout his career has been unbelievable. He has an incredible ability to recognize when it is important to perform, and he is always there when you need him.

With your younger horses, is that something you are now trying to replicate?

Each horse is unique and requires a tailored approach, as they all have their own ideal ways of preparing. Ultimately, it is important to develop patterns with each horse that are recognizable and repeatable, helping to create consistency.

Can you tell us a little bit more about Monaco? What characteristics does he have that makes him such an incredible horse?

Monaco is always full of energy and he is an incredibly smart horse. Even as he has gotten older, he has continued to develop and remains eager to improve – a rare quality among the horses I have worked with in my career. His drive to keep getting better is what sets him apart.

Monaco is naturally athletic but he also has a cheeky, mischievous side. In the stable, he knows exactly where the snack box is and which groom he can charm into giving him treats. Throughout his career, he has finished second many times, so at the CHI Geneva, my colleagues, grooms, and everyone behind the scenes were really rooting for him. He is such a special horse and everyone wanted to see him get the win he deserved.

Each Major that makes up the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping has its own distinct atmosphere and challenges. Do you have a favourite, and why?

Each of the four Majors is incredible and highly prestigious, with a rich history behind them. Winning just one is already a big milestone for me.

The Dutch Masters in ’s-Hertogenbosch is the Rolex Grand Prix that, along with all other Dutch riders, I dream of winning. However the end of the day, I would not mind winning the Grand Prix at any of the other Majors as well – the CHIO Aachen and the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament are still very much on my list.

You have maintained such consistency at the top level of the sport – including five top three placings in Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Majors. How have you maintained this?

Having a strong team around you is essential. Consistency comes from how you manage not just your horses, but also your owners and the entire team. Team Evergate and Team Copernicus have supported me for many years, allowing me to focus entirely on the sport.

Most importantly, you have to listen to the horse, be patient, and wait for them to be ready because when they are, that is when they can truly perform at the highest level.

Training routines are key at this level. What does a typical training day look like for you and your horses in the lead-up to a Major?

I competed at the Gothenburg Horse Show in February, about two weeks before The Dutch Masters. After Gothenburg, the horses get a few easy days to rest.

We still ride them daily but keep things light, and then, in the week leading up to the event, we gradually pick up the intensity with some small jumps and some gymnastic exercises. The goal is to arrive at The Dutch Masters feeling fresh and in great spirits.