Rabat, Morocco – October 15, 2026 – Following two weeks of top-level competition with the CSI 4*-W in Tétouan and the CSIO 4*-W in Rabat, the Morocco Royal Tour continues its journey to El Jadida. For the first time in its history, the tour will host a CSI 5*-W, culminating in Sunday’s Grand Prix of His Majesty King Mohammed VI.

Since its inception, the Morocco Royal Tour has established itself as a key fixture on the international equestrian calendar. Attracting an increasing number of international riders each year, the tour contributes to the development of top-level equestrian sports in Morocco while raising the profile of the discipline and its athletes well beyond the country’s borders.

“Showjumping, and above all, horses themselves, are deeply rooted in Morocco’s heritages and traditions,” explains Moroccan rider, Abdelkebir Ouaddar. “Regardless of social background, horses have always been a part of Morocco’s history. We are increasingly represented on the international stage, across all disciplines. The Morocco Royal Tour is becoming more and more important on the international calendar and riders now bring their best horses because they know the competition is equally high. With such outstanding facilities and such a strong organising team, hosting a five-star event in El Jadida is the next natural step, and I am convinced it opens a new chapter for future editions.”

With the introduction of the CSI 5*-W, the Morocco Royal Tour is taking a decisive step forward in its development. Fifteen years after its creation, this new classification is the recognition of the high sporting and organisational standards achieved by the Tour.

“The Morocco Royal Tour continues to improve year after year, says national team coach Philippe Rozier. “Whether it’s the quality of the footing, the stabling facilities or welcome extended to riders, grooms and horses, the three venues are completely different, yet complement each other perfectly. El Jadida as the final stop, provides an ideal transition into the indoor season. With several major international events now taking place in Morocco towards the end of the year, we need to have enough horse-and-rider combinations capable of competing at this level. That is what we will be working towards over the coming months and years.”

Beyond this step forward in sporting and organisational standards, the move to five-star level also brings new demands in the arena. At El Jadida, where the competition takes place indoors, every detail of the course will be particularly important. This presents a new challenge for Italian course designer Uliano Vezzani (ITA), widely regarded as one of the best in the world, who has been entrusted with designing courses for this first CSI 5*.

“A five-star competition inevitably raises the challenge. We are designing courses for some of the best riders and horses in the world, and the courses must reflect that standard. However, my fundamental philosophy remains unchanged. I never think it’s a five-star event, so I have to make the course much more difficult. Instead, I think it’s a five-star event, so I have to build with even greater precision. At this level, every detail matters. A distance that is slightly long or slightly short, the positioning of a fence after a turn, a line offering two different options, or the time allowed. This becomes even more important in an indoor arena like El Jadida, where the available space must be used with even greater precision. The course needs rhythm and flow, while at the same time requiring riders to make decisions very quickly. For me, a CSI 5* course should be challenging but fair. It should reward the best horse-and-rider combinations while respecting the horses and delivering a truly exciting sporting expectacle. If we can achieve all three of these objectives, then I believe the course designer has done his job well.”

Source: Press Release from the Morocco Royal Tour

Photo: © Morocco Royal Tour / M. Froment

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