Rabat, Morocco – October 14, 2019 – Super Sunday at the Morocco Royal Tour CSIO 4*-W began with two great ones of the sport claiming top honors in the €25,000 Prix SOREC CSIO 4*-W at the Royal Golf Dar Es Salam in the coutry’s capital.

The prelude to the FEI Nations Cup was a jump-off challenge, featuring 52 combinations entered to face Alan Wade‘s (IRL) eleven-obstacle and fourteen-effort 1.45m course.

The pleasant morning weather seemed to inspire the horses and riders with few fences falling during the first half of the class. However, time was a major factor from the beginning, with 15 combinations had at least one time-penalty attributed to them at the end of the first round.

Moreover, as the class went on, the triple (obstacle 5) and double combinations (obstacle 8) fell much more frequently, eliminating several combinations from advancing to the tiebreaker. Nevertheless, sixteen pairs managed to qualify for the jump-off.

Once again, Emanuele Gaudiano (ITA) and Carlotta 232 prevailed in the end. The Italian and the 10-year-old dark bay mare (Chaccomo x Cento) leaving dust to the rest of the field, registering no penalties in 31.53 seconds for the win in their second effort.

Billy Twomey (IRL) and Kimba Flamenco (Je T’Aime Flamenco x Heartbreaker) were the closest ones, finishing second backed by a double clear and a final time of 33.99 seconds.

Jessica Mendoza (GBR) and Dublin (Cobra 18 x Calido I) completed the podium with a penalty-free jump-off performance in 34.21 seconds.

I was number six in the jump-off and with 16 clears I tried to go as fast as possible. Carlotta is always fast and today she was clear. She won the class, she’s an amazing horse. She won one class last week, second group, She jumped the qualifier here on the first day and had one unlucky fault and then had a two-day break and jumped amazing today.

Approach to the Bogey in the Jump-off 

Well, some did it (obstacle 5) in 8 strides, some in 7. I trust Carlotta in this combination because she doesn’t have a big canter but I jumped the oxer with a long stride and I did one stride less, seven strides and she did a good job. It was a bit short inside but she was fast.

Next Competitions with Carlotta

I will ride El Jadida next week. I will ride the first day, Friday the qualification and then Saturday evening or Sunday, we’ll see. It’s the first indoor of the season, but normally she has no problem with it.

For full results, please click here.