July 24, 2023 
In numerology, the number three is considered lucky. It’s associated with joy, abundance, success, good fortune, and wisdom.
For Harry Smolders (NED), a rider we can safely assume has zero interest in applied mysticism, three is also a recurring trend in his recent abundance (of earnings), and his success and good fortune (on the Global Champions Tour).
Because there’s no denying the Dutch rider—and current world no. 3—is having a rather good month.
On Sunday, Smolders earned his third consecutive Grand Prix podium finish on the Global Champions Tour when he won the LGCT Grand Prix of Riesenbeck, Germany aboard Uricas v/d Kattevennen. The week prior, he was third in La Coruna, Spain and, the first week of July, second at the LCGT Monte Carlo in Port Hercule, both with Monaco N.O.P.
He’s the third-ever LGCT rider to accomplish the feat.
But that’s not all.
Smolders is also third on both the Longines World Rankings, based on points earned over the past 12 months, and on the Jumpr App Rider Rankings, based on prize money earned over the past 30 days.
The 43-year-old has 2885 world ranking points, behind Henrik von Eckermann (SWE) on 3655 and Julies Epaillard (FRA) on 3170. His 30-day earnings amount to €400,686. Only Julien Epaillard (FRA) and Marcus Ehning (GER) have had an even better month with €569,012 and €528,655 in accumulated prize money, respectively. If those considerable earnings make you feel poor, same.
If that weren’t evidence enough, as of Riesenbeck, Smolders is now third on the LGCT Overall Ranking as well.
Ask Smolders about his recent run of success, and you’ll get a sage, though decidedly straight-forward, response:
“I am focusing on my horses—if they feel well, I have to ride well, and then the results will come. I just need to be patient, take my chances, and if that leads into records, then that is of course brilliant.”
