El Jadida, Morocco – October 05, 2024 – A week after their clean sweep in Rabat, Saudi Arabia returned to their winning ways in El Jadida, with Khaled Almobty (KSA) and Davenport taking exactly the same event as last week, a winning-round.
The rather tricky first round saw a quartet of the fastest four-faulters join the list of 12 finalists for the second round, including four female riders. The advantage in this class is that those who made errors in the first round have a chance at redemption, for the scorecard is wiped clean ahead of the second decisive round. So, it was a new course of seven obstacles, including a double, which naturally takes on the competitive character of a jump-off—a galloping jump-off, as we like them, with a long final run between the last two oxers. With an already enthusiastic public, it was all the more incentive to lay down the gauntlet. Like that, sport becomes a show!
Namely two of these “4 faulters” weren’t going to squander their second chance and got off to a flying start, with Morocco’s El Ghali Boukaa (MAR) & Chester N and Ireland’s Jessica Burke (IRL) & African Affair carrying the lead…until Khaled Almobty (KSA) and Davenport took to the track and set a reference time of 38.53 seconds, which France’s Ines Joly (FRA) and Ambassador beat by a hundredth, but unfortunately at the cost of a rail on a vertical after an ambitiously tight turn.
Abdelkebir Ouaddar (MAR), under pressure from an enthusiastic home crowd, ensured his share of the show with a magnificent run on Baccarat Menilsjean, unfortunately penalized by a rail over the double. This event was predestined to become the specialty of Khaled Almobty (KSA) and his beloved Davenport.
Nico Lupino (ITA) and Fabalia flew towards bronze honors, completing their second penalty-free performance in 40.77 seconds.
“I’m so happy. I’ve got a wonderful horse who’s just come back from a period of rest, and he’s won this same event for the second time in a week, this time with a double clear round,” said Almobty.
Indeed, last week, the Saudi had come a long way, for he had reached the second round after a 12-point effort over the first course. But there’s one thing Davenport is consistent about, and that’s his speed on a “barrage.”
“He’s the perfect size, and I know exactly how to manage his speed on the ground, it’s a joy to have a horse like him… Thank you, Davenport…and one thing’s for sure, I’ll be here again next year, you can count on me,” said Khaled, who is on his third visit to the Morocco Royal Tour.
Final Results – €56,800 CDG Prize CSI 4*-W
1) Khaled Almobty (KSA) & Davenport VDL – 0 / 0 – 38.53
2) Jessica Burke (IRL) & African Affair – 4 / 0 – 39.87
3) Nico Lupino (ITA) & Fabalia – 0 / 0 – 40.77
Source: Press Release (edited) by Pascal Renauldon / Agence R&B Presse for Morocco Royal Tour
Photos: © Morocco Royal Tour / Thomas Reiner for R&B Presse
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Categories: CSI 4*-W, English, Jumper News Middle East
