Tetouan Under a Gold Sky de Pegase

© R&B Presse / Morgan Froment

Off to a flying start, the 2024 edition of the Morocco Royal Tour (MRT) has officially begun at the emblematic Garde Royale de Tetouan, an equestrian jewel in the heart of this spectacular coastal city. The vet inspection confirmed a talented start list of 95 riders in the CSI1* and an impressive 128 riders in the CSI4*-W. With more than a dozen flags represented, we are assured a thrilling week of top-level competition is ahead. 

The premier CSI1* 1.25m PRIX D’OUED DRAA was captured by Majid Djaidi (MAR) aboard 10-year-old mare Jewelbridge, on which he’s had the ride since last year. Djaidi, who trains out of Casablanca and has been a loyal exhibitor of the MRT, was pleased to start the week on the right stride. “She’s a very sweet mare.

I’m very happy with the win, but even more so with the feeling she gave me and the way I was able to ride the course today,” said Djaidi. “I’ve been riding the tour since the beginning, and I think it’s very important for Morocco to organize it because it enables us to participate at this high level and bring up our riding.” Amongst those to return for this 13th edition was France’s Alix Ragot, who received an emphatic ‘welcome back’ after an eight-year-long hiatus. Hungry for a win, the Frenchman broke his fast with the CSI4*-W PRIX DE L’INDEPENDANCE in the saddle of homebred Gold Sky de Pegase. Ragot tackled the Louis Konickx (NED) track in an efficient 57.28 seconds. 

The result marked a full-circle moment for Ragot, who jumped the Nations’ Cup in Rabat eight years ago with the 8-year-old stallion’s sire, Thais De Pegase. 

“I came here eight years ago with his father, so it was quite fun, coupled with the fact he hasn’t been out showing in a long time. He is quite playful and crazy. I just wanted to have fun with him, and he won,” said Ragot, smiling.  “He is like his father, but a bit more of a fighter… I wasn’t able to come the past years because I sold all of my horses and now I have a good string so I came back. Tomorrow, another 8-year-old mare will jump the qualifier (Gotcha de Baerenrain). Then, I will decide which one to enter in the Grand Prix.” 

In addition to many cherished veterans, some new (albeit notable) faces landed on the MRT’s Mediterranean shores, such as Switzerland’s familiar champion Bryan Balsiger. 

“I’m very happy to be here. I decided to come this year because everyone says it’s a very nice tour, and I have all new horses now, so they needed some experience in the 4* classes. It’s excellent for us to have three 4* shows in a row, including the Nations’ Cup. Of course, I hope to ride for the Swiss team in Rabat,” said Balsiger. 

But first, Balsiger is aiming for Sunday’s distinguished CSI4*-W World Cup Grand Prix with his top horse, PSG Starlight. It will be a hard-fought battle with the likes of French star Simone Delestre (FRA), decorated MRT winner Emanuele Gaudiano (ITA), and powerhouse Moroccan titleholders Abdelkebir Ouaddar and El Ghali Boukaa looking to keep the crown on home turf.  

RESULTS

PRIX DE L’INDEPENDANCE

CSI4*-W -1.40 m – Faults & Time  

75 participants and 19 placed

1) Alix Ragot, FRA – Gold Sky de Pegase 0/57.28, 2) Emanuele Gaudiano, ITA – Jaja 0/57.52, 3) Ramzy Al Duhami, KSA – High Quality J 0/57.55, 4) Nico Lupino, ITA – Fabalia 0/57.85, 5) Vincent Zacharias Bourguignon, MAR – Prince Of Bel Air Van Euverbraeke 0/58.83

PRIX D’OUED DRAA

CSI1* 1.25 m – Special Two-Phase – 274.2.5 – PRIX D’OUED DRAA

52 participants and 13 placed

1) Majid Djaidi, MAR – Jewelbridge 0-0/25.37, 2) Mohammed Nizar Souktani, MAR – Genesis Z 0-0/26.50, 3) Yassir Arbain, MAR – d’Angel La Tuilerie 0-0/26.53, 3) Mohammed Azoum, MAR – Fleur de Launay 0-0/26.53, 5) Marion Kreevels, BEL – Modena J&F 0-0/26.65

Press release Morocco Royal Tour © R&B Presse / Morgan Froment

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