Rabat, Morocco – September 27, 2023 – The terrible earthquake that recently struck Morocco has deeply moved the equestrian world and in particular the international riders familiar with the Kingdom’s circuits. The riders who had committed to the 2023 Morocco Royal Tour immediately assured us of their participation in the competition – because the country must continue to live despite the tragedy – and many will join the solidarity effort by bringing donations and essential goods in their trucks. To be a great sportsman is also to be generous and supportive, and our riders know how to be so.
Eight nations will be competing in Nations Cup CSIO 4* at Rabat (on October 15th): Belgium, France, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Ukraine and Morocco.
On an individual level, most will already be in Tetouan on October 5, starting with Belgian Olympic team bronze medallist (Tokyo 2021) Jérôme Guery (BEL), one of the Morocco Royal Tour’s loyal riders. Austria, bronze medallists at the recent European Championships in Milan, will be sending Katharina Rhomberg (AUT), who was part of this fine team.
A consistent performer on the Global Champions Tour circuit, France’s Olivier Robert (FRA) will be in Tetouan, as well as Italy’s Emanuele Gaudiano (ITA), a formidable winner on the magnificent facilities of the Garde Royale.
Eighteen nations will already be present in Tetouan, including riders from Ukraine, New Zealand, Tunisia, and Senegal. The Morocco Royal Tour also has this role of talents discoverer and we are proud of the expansion of the audience, welcoming more and more riders from various backgrounds and some of whom have had their first international successes in our competitions.
Morocco will of course be able to count on its “institutional” stars such as Abdelkebir Ouaddar (MAR), the only Moroccan rider to have won a 5* Grand Prix (in Paris, Saut Hermès 2016) and double winner last year of Tetouan’s and El Jadida’s Grand Prix, and also El Ghali Boukaa, who triumphed in Rabat.
A Horse Show Reflecting Morocco’s Rich Equine Heritage
After Tetouan (October 5 to 8) and Rabat (12 to 15), the third and final leg of the series will take place from October 19 to 22 in El Jadida during the Salon du Cheval (horse fair), a sumptuous event that allows visitors to discover all of the richness and facets of the Moroccan equestrian sector as well as the colourful competitions of Tbourida, a traditional equestrian attraction dating back to the 15th century.
Change of frame for the jumping, with an additional difficulty, the competition will take place indoors, on a much smaller arena than those of Tetouan or Rabat, where again the best riders on the circuit will compete.
The Morocco Royal Tour 2023, the meeting of high-level sport and local Moroccan color, with a special surge of solidarity, kicks off in Tetouan on Thursday, October 5.
About the Morocco Royal Tour:
Three fabulous venues, three four-day stages all “four stars” (CSI 4*) for the twelfth edition of the Morocco Royal Tour (MRT), to be held between October 5 and 22, 2023. Created in 2010 on the “High Instructions of His Majesty King Mohammed VI” and directed by Prince Moulay Abdallah Alaoui, the MRT grows from year to year, confirming its place as a major competition on the world equestrian calendar, under the aegis of the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI).
- The circuit kicks off in Tetouan, from October 5 to 8 (€234,000 in prize money), at the superb facilities of the Royal Guard. A magnificent site with permanent facilities: majestic grandstands, buildings and superb stables decorated in the purest Moroccan tradition.
- The Rabat leg, from October 12 to 15 (€274,000 in prize money), takes place at the Royal Moroccan Federation of Equestrian (FRMSE) Sports’ facilities, incliding a permanent on-site veterinary clinic, which are irreproachable from a technical point of view, with the flagship event being the Moroccan Nations’ Cup, scheduled for Sunday afternoon, but also featuring a prestigious 4* Grand Prix counting towards the World Cup on Friday.
- The final leg in El Jadida, from October 19 to 23 (€241,000 in prize money), is an indoor showjumping event, with a sports program like that of Tetouan. It also provides an opportunity to discover the Moroccan Horse Show (Salon du Cheval d’El Jadida), undoubtedly the most important on the continent, where the flagship event is held–the Grand Prix de Sa Majesté le Roi Mohammed VI de Saut d’obstacles.
Source: Press Release (edited) by Pascal Renauldon / Agence R&B Presse for The Morocco Royal Tour
Photos: © R&B Presse – Adèle Renauldon
Categories: English
