Rabat Remains Green! Abdulrahman Alrajhi Triumphant in the €105,500 HRH Princess Lalla Amina Grand Prix CSIO 4*-W

By Jumper News on 2025-09-26

Rabat, Morocco – September 25, 2025 – In Rabat, the individual crown is awarded on Friday: the Grand Prix SAR La Princesse Lalla Amina delivered its verdict – one Saudi succeeded another. Abdulrahman Alrajhi (KSA) followed in the footsteps of Ramzy Al Duhami (KSA), winning a thrilling competition, as enjoyable to watch as so often with courses designed by Uliano Vezzani (ITA).

The thirteen obstacles, including a double and a treble, in the first round produced an initial cut: seven clear rounds earned their ticket to the second round, joined by Ukraine’s Anastasia Bondarieva (UKR) with two time faults on Fedor V H Moeshof and the three fastest riders with four faults. In total, the line-up included three Saudis, two French riders, a Swiss, an Irish rider, an Italian, a Briton, a Moroccan and the Ukrainian – a fine international mix.

**Abdullah Alsharbatly** (KSA) & **Alamo**

The shortened course of seven obstacles, including a double, had all the feel of a jump-off. That became clear as soon as the first clear round came in: Abdullah Alsharbatly (KSA) set off at full speed with Alamo.

The race was on, and his compatriot Abdulrahman Alrajhi (KSA) quickly raised the bar with the experienced son of world champion Baloubet du Rouet, Heartbeat W, slicing 58 hundredths off the target time. Then El Ghali Boukaa (MAR) joined the race with his fabulous A Kyss, who was faster, but a fault at the last fence deprived them of victory.

Swiss’ Édouard Schmitz (SUI), last World Cup, finalist, took third place on the podium with Quno.

**Abdulrahman Alrajhi** (KSA) & **Heartbeat W**

The day belonged to Abdulrahman Alrajhi (KSA): “When I saw Abdullah’s round, I thought: impossible. Heartbeat W is an incredible horse but not very quick, especially in tight turns, and he’s not the easiest to steer. But he has everything else, and that makes my life simpler. I try to use the qualities he really has and avoid asking him for what he doesn’t — namely agility. Perhaps Rabat’s big arena suited him perfectly.”

It was Alrajhi’s first Grand Prix win with Heartbeat W, who previously belonged to a British rider: “What makes the story even better is that I bought him right here a year ago, almost by chance. Talking to his former rider, Liz Bates, I heard she wanted to sell him. I was listening in, in the right place at the right time… and a year later, we’re winning our first Grand Prix together.”

At 30, Alrajhi could not hide his delight in a beaming interview: “I’m extremely proud of him and grateful to my whole team. People see me for ninety seconds in the ring, but behind that are the grooms, vets, caretakers, managers and partners who make it all possible. This success is theirs as well.”

Third place went to Switzerland’s Edouard Schmitz (SUI), who had not originally intended to bring out Quno. A last-minute instinct changed his mind, and he had no regrets: “Today we had a beautiful Grand Prix and I’m very pleased with my horse. It’s been a while since he jumped at this level, and he really delivered. Next time I hope the rider will also deliver! (smiles). It’s frustrating not to finish the job when the horses are in such good form, but I’m very happy with him. My other two horses are also going well and are having an excellent tour. Initially, I had planned to keep Quno fresh for El Jadida, but I felt so good with him in training that I thought it would be a shame not to bring him out here when he’s in such great shape.”

The 26-year-old rider from Geneva is discovering the Morocco Royal Tour for the first time – and surely not the last: “I’d been told it was a beautiful circuit, but I’m still pleasantly surprised compared to my expectations. The two shows I’ve done so far take place in magnificent settings, with an enthusiastic crowd: we really have the best conditions to practise our sport and to enjoy it.”