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The Morocco Royal Tour 2024: An elite sporting circuit with a unique personality

From September 19th to October 6th, beginning in Tetouan and stopping in Rabat and El Jadida, the Morocco Royal Tour will once again welcome the world’s jumping elite. The thirteenth edition will be among the first events after the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, some of whose heroes will undoubtedly join the start list in Morocco.

The sporting level of the Morocco Royal Tour is always top notch, with three 4* Grand Prix which count towards the Arab/North African League for the FEI Longines World Cup, where the final will be held next season from April 2 to 6, 2025, in Basel, Switzerland.

Rabat, meanwhile, hosts a stage of the Nations Cup circuit, the peak of the Moroccan CSIO-W. With a dozen nations battling it out, the class is always a sporting highlight. Last year, after a thrilling duel with Switzerland, it was the Belgians who clinched the win, led by Jérôme Guery, European Team Champion in 2019 and bronze medalist at the last Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2021.

A CSI 1* is held in parallel at each of the three stages: a magnificent journey for amateur riders, and great moments of equestrian sport shared between European and Moroccan riders.

This year’s 2024 edition will take place between September 19 and October 6, earlier than usual, which augurs well for an even more prestigious line-up. The CSI 4* will feature a total of thirteen classes counting towards the FEI Longines World Ranking. The only Grand Prix de Sa Majesté Le Roi Mohammed VI of the CSI4*W in El Jadida will see its prize money increase to 164,800 euros, making it a Longines Ranking A Grand Prix.

The Morocco Royal Tour is an “enchanted interlude” on the international circuit: three high-level show jumping stages, with top-quality facilities, where everything has been thought out and designed for the well-being of horses and riders alike. In twelve editions, “MRT” has become an unmissable event, instituting itself as a prestigious series strongly etched on the international scene. Each of the three stages take place in magnificent tourist towns, each with its own charm and personality: riders appreciate them and come back year after year.

About the Morocco Royal Tour

Three exceptional sites, three four-day stages, all 4*, for the thirteenth edition of the Morocco Royal Tour, taking place between September 19, 2024, and October 6, 2024. Created in 2010 on the “High Instructions of His Majesty King Mohammed VI” and directed by Prince Moulay Abdallah Alaoui, President of the Fédération Royale Marocaine des Sports Équestres (Royal Moroccan Federation of Equestrian Sports), 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 September 19 to 22, at the superb facilities of the Garde Royale. A magnificent venue with “permanent” facilities: majestic grandstands and superb stables decorated in traditional Moroccan style. The Rabat show, from September 25 to 29, is held at the technically impeccable facilities of the Royal Moroccan Federation of Equestrian Sports, whose flagship event is the Moroccan Nations’ Cup, scheduled for Sunday afternoon, but also featuring a prestigious 4* World Cup Grand Prix on Friday. The final leg in El Jadida, from October 3 to 6, is an indoor event with a sports program like that of Tetouan. It also provides an opportunity to discover the Moroccan Horse Exhibition (Salon du Cheval d’El Jadida), undoubtedly the most important on the continent, and where the flagship class of the circuit, the Grand Prix de Sa Majesté le Roi Mohammed VI de Saut d’obstacles, is held.

Press release Morocco Royal Tour

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The 2024 Morocco Royal Tour: An Elite Sporting Circuit with a Unique Personality

• April 23, 2024

Rabat , Morocco – April 23, 2024  –  The Morocco Royal Tour will once again allowed the world’s top climbing athletes, starting in Tetouan and stopping in Rabat and El Jadida on September 19 and October 6. The thirteenth edition will be one of the first events following the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, and some of whose heroes truly will join the Morocco starting list of events.  

With three 4* Grand Prix being included in the Morocco Royal Tour’s having levels, the Arab/North American League for the FEI Longines  World Cup , where the last may be held next year from April 2 to 6, 2025, in Basel, Switzerland.

Rabat, however, hosts  a level of the Nations Cup circuit, the top of the Moroccan CSIO-W. The course is always a flaunting highlight when a dozen nations compete against one another. Last year, after a thrilling duel with Switzerland, it was the Belgians who clinched the win, led by Jérôme Guery ( BEL), European Team Champion in 2019 and bronze medalist at the last Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2021.

At each of the three stages, there is a parallel CSI 1*, a wonderful trip for novice riders, and some incredible equestrian experiences shared by Moroccan and Western riders.

This year’s 2024 version will take place between September 19 and October 6, earlier than usual, which augurs well for an even more prominent line-up.   Treyorn lessons that will be included in the CSI 4* will count toward the FEI Longines World Ranking.   The single Grand Prix de Sa Majesté Le Roi Mohammed VI of the CSI4*W in El Jadida will receive a reward money increase of 164,800 dollars, making it a Longines Ranking A Grand Prix.

The Morocco Royal Tour is an “enchanted interlude” on the global circuit: three high-level display jumping periods, with top-quality services, where everything has been thought out and designed for the well-being of horses and riders alike. In twelve editions, “MRT” has become an amazing occasion, instituting itself as a renowned series clearly etched on the global scene. Each of the three levels takes place in stunning holiday towns, each with its own charm and personality: users love them and return year after year.

  Save the times!

Origin: Press Release by Pascal Renauldon / Agence R& Presse for the Morocco Royal Tour

Photos: © MRT / Agence R& B Presse / Adèle Renauldon

Categories: Jumper News Africa , Preview

Identified as: Caballos , Chevaux , CSI 4*-W , CSIO 4*-W , Emanuele Gaudiano , Equestrian , Events , Animals, Jumper News , Jumper News Africa, Jumper News Morocco, Morocco Royal Tour , Showjumping

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The Morocco Royal Tour makes a return

Adele Severs

Published 16 Jul 2021

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Brazil’s Bernardo Alves and El Torreo de Muze (Taran de la Pomme and Vigo d’Arsouille) last winners of the 4* Grand Prix of CSIO of Rabat 2019. © Morocco Royal Tour

After a year delay due to the Corona crisis, the prestigious Moroccan circuit, the Morocco Royal Tour, has resolutely resumed its place in the international calendar. From September 30 in Tetouan and until October 17 in El Jadida, Morocco will once again welcome the world of international jumping.

The Morocco Royal Tour which is entering its second decade, is a circuit highly appreciated by the best riders in the world.

Indeed, previous editions have seen Olympic Champions, European and World Champions participate in this prestigious series of three four-star CSI(O) which passes through Tetouan, Rabat and El Jadida.

The first decade has attracted many riders with prestigious names: Pius Schwizer, ex-world number one and multi-medalist for Switzerland, the French vice-world champion Simon Delestre, the Olympic Champion Philippe Rozier, the German European Champion Marco Kustcher, the Belgian Jérôme Guery selected for the Olympics and who has just triumphed in Knokke, and many others. These names alone are a proof of the sporting quality of this circuit.

2021 is a great year for Morocco, which for the first time has seen its team qualified for the Olympic Games, the green jackets with red collars had won this qualification in 2019 in the Nations Cup in Rabat.

We will see them again in this team competition on October 10 against the World elite.

With total prize money of €747000, the Tour will feature thirteen classes counting for the FEI world Rankings. The three Grand Prix 4* are qualifiers for the Arab/North African League for the FEI World Cup. The final will be held from April 6 to 10, 2022 in Leipzig, Germany.

A CSI 1* which is a beautiful equestrian journey for amateurs, will be held during each of the three stages.

The high quality of the venues in cities with a strong tourist attraction, with a friendly atmosphere for each of the three stages, has contributed to make the Morocco Royal Tour become a must at the end of the outdoor season.

Source: Morocco Royal Tour media release

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Morocco Royal Tour Rabat Roundup

The three-event jumping series moved to the capital city of morocco, featuring both a world cup qualifier and a nations cup..

By: Horse Sport staff | October 16, 2023

The Rabat leg of the Morocco Royal Tour took place October 12-15 at the Royal Moroccan Federation of Equestrian (FRMSE) Sports’ facilities, offering €274,000 in prize money in 4* and 1* classes. The flagship event was the Moroccan Nations’ Cup on Sunday afternoon, and also a 4* World Cup Grand Prix on Friday.

Marine Scauflaire (BEL) and Cuba Libre de Nevada Z. (Adele Renauldon/R&B Presse)

Friday: First 4* Grand Prix, First Victory For Marine Scauflaire

This year’s Grand Prix was (almost) dominated by women, with three placing in the top five. Italian course designer Uliano Vezzani set up a course that was tough, leaving only five clear rounds among the 38 riders at the start. It wasn’t until the break and the 20th starter that the first clear round went to Ireland’s Christopher Megahey riding Doriano de Blondel, but he was unable to repeat this performance in the decisive second round. Italy’s Roberto Previtali and Conthargo-Blue managed a double-clear, as did Belgian rider Marine Scauflaire with the speedy Cuba Libre de Nevada Z, French rider Jeanne Sadran with Kosmo Van Hof Ter Boone and Swiss rider Barbara Schnieper, always a top performer on the MRT, was faster with Escoffier, but at the cost of a fault that kept her off the podium.

At just 30 years of age, Marine Scauflaire, competing in her first MRT, is slowly but surely making her way to the top and this first-ever victory in a 4* grand prix is part of her journey – one Marine hadn’t really expected with a horse that’s still relatively young. “Cuba Libre de Nevada Z has been moving in the right direction for a few months now, but I didn’t expect him to win here. I set off in this second round with the sole aim of getting a clear round, but not to win, as Cuba Libre is still relatively ‘green’ and not everything is yet perfect … but the game has turned in our favor today.”

A fine reward for her work as a trainer, as Marine has been bringing this gelding, who belongs to his breeder, Karel Van Damme, along since he was five years old. “He was a very late bloomer, as he didn’t start stringing together clear rounds until he was seven, something he was almost incapable of doing before. He was injured when he was eight, so this is the first year he’s competing in big classes, and today was his first 4* Grand Prix. I’m convinced that he has the means and the qualities to go one step further.”

Prix Sar La Princesse Lalla Amina CSIO4*-W – 1.55 m

1) Marine Scauflaire, BEL – Cuba Libre de Nevada Z 0-0/41.53 2) Roberto Previtali, ITA – Conthargo-Blue 0-0/41.69 3) Jeanne Sadran, FRA – Kosmo Van Hof Ter Boone 0-0/42.09 4) Barbara Schnieper, SUI – Escoffier 0-4/39.77 5) Duarte Seabra, POR – Dourados 2 4-0/40.60

Ireland’s Jessica Burke takes her fourth international victory of the year in Rabat with Express Trend. (Thomas Reiner photo)

Saturday: Moroccan Day Ends With Irish Dance

The feature class of the day, the Prix Maroc Telecom, went to Ireland’s Jessica Burke with the homebred horse Express Trend enjoying their fourth international victory this year.

For the record, the rule of the Winning Round is that the first round qualifies the twelve best riders for this “winning round”, where the counters are reset to zero. This was just the thing for the Irish rider who had one down in the first round with her Irish horse Express Trend: “He’s a 13-year-old horse that I’ve been riding for 10 years. It’s the specialty of our stables, we train our own young horses. So I’ve known Express Trend since he was 10. We know each other by heart, and he’s a very efficient horse. The fence down in the first round was entirely my fault. Thank God, I benefited from that rule today”. In fact, the first six placed also benefited from this system, while the four clear rounds of the first round all went wrong in the decisive round! The law is tough, but it’s the law. And it allowed us to enjoy Jessica Burke’s smile.

Prix Maroc Telecom CSIO4*-W – 1.50 m

1) Jessica Burke, IRL – Express Trend 4-0/35.25 2) Emanuele Gaudiano, ITA – Chalou 1-0/35.72 3) Jennifer Hochstadter, LIE – Tinka’s Hero Z 4-0/37.46 4) Giulia Martinengo Marquet, ITA – Scuderia 1918 Quick And Easy 3 4-0/37.78 5) Antoine Ermann, FRA – Comic Star 0-0/40.10

Virginie Thonon and Edgard de Prefontaine had one of two double-clear efforts for Team Belgium. (Adèle Renauldon/R&B Presse)

Sunday: Team Belgium Takes Nations Cup

The highlight of the second stage of the Morocco Royal Tour, the Nations Cup was won on Sunday afternoon in Rabat by a fine young team from Belgium, marking just the second Belgian victory since the Moroccan Nations Cup was born in 2016.

On a course that was fluid at the start and more technical towards the end, Switzerland struck hard from the outset, stringing together three clear rounds that enabled Barbara Schnieper to rest Canice in the first round and drop Belgium to 4 points behind. An option for victory, but nothing is definitive in the Nations Cup after the first round, as the rest of the story proved.

After a second clear round from Elian Bauman with Little Lumpi E, the Swiss lead was shaken by the 12 faults scored by Mehdi Roessli-Dobjanschi and Valderama Tame. Alexandra Amar and Vincy du Gue’s small overtaking time fault further weakened the Swiss position, while the Belgians lined up clear rounds in succession: Virginie Thonon and Edgard de Préfontaine, Cyril Cools and Milton Z and Marine Scauflaire and Hortus d’Hoogpoort, who erased their poor 16-fault first round result in style.

“I was actually very confident for this second round, as I know my horse well. It was my first Nations Cup, and I missed my first round, but I didn’t ask myself any questions and went into the second round with full confidence.” Fellow team member Jérôme Guéry didn’t need to start, as the squad’s’ triple zero could not be improved upon. Switzerland’s Barbara Schnieper, on the other hand, had to take Canice out of the stall with the onerous responsibility of producing a clear round for the Swiss to win. But the blue oxer after the water jump proved fatal for Barbara and ‘Nati’ and the team slipped back to second place.

“It’s the law of this sport,” philosophized Jérôme Guéry. “One man’s misfortune is another man’s gain. I put myself in Barbara’s shoes … it’s true that when she came out onto the arena, we honestly hoped she’d make a small mistake … the pressure couldn’t have helped her, and I know what it’s like to have been in that situation.” France completed the podium by moving up one place in the second round.

The Morocco Royal Tour 2023 continues later this week in El Jadida from October 19-23 as part of the Salon du Cheval.

Nations Cup Results:

1) Belgium 2) Switzerland 3) France 4) Ireland 5) Italy 6) Morocco 7) Ukraine 8) Spain

Complete results here.

~ with files from Morocco Royal Tour / rbpresse.com

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JUMPER NEWS

Showjumping is here, the 2023 morocco royal tour: a twelfth edition that promises to be sensational.

El Jadida, Marocco – July 19, 2023 –  From October 5th in Tetouan, to October 22nd in El Jadida, with a stop in Rabat from October 12th to 15th, Morocco will again play host to the world of international showjumping. The 12th edition of the Morocco Royal Tour , will give the opportunity to riders to collect one of their minimum eligibility requirements (MER) in the 3 Grand Prix, for the upcoming major events: the 2024 World Final in Riyadh and the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

We all remember the fantastic 2022 edition, which ended with Morocco winning all three Grand Prix of the series with our two incredible Moroccan riders:  Abdelkebir Ouaddar (MAR) winning both the Tetouan   and   El Jadida Grand Prix , and  El Ghali Boukaa winning in Rabat . A great moment in the history of the Morocco Royal Tour!

The three Grand Prix 4* will also  be qualifiers for the Arab/North African League for the FEI Longines World Cup , the final of which will be held this season from April 16th to the 20th, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Rabat, for its part,  will also host a stage of the World Cup of Nations circuit ,  the highlight of the Moroccan CSIO, which takes place on Sunday afternoon . So far, nine nations have sent in their entries, including title holders Germany. 

A CSI 1* will also be held on each of the three stages: a magnificent equestrian journey for amateur riders.   The 2023 edition will take place this year from October 5th to 22nd and  will feature a total of thirteen events counting towards the FEI Longines World Ranking , with prize money totaling €749,000.

The prestigious Morocco Royal Tour is undoubtedly a must-attend event with challenging classes (13 of which will count towards the FEI world ranking) and has established itself as a renowned series on the international scene. Each of the three stages takes place in magnificent scenic towns with top-quality infrastructures. The atmosphere at this event is resolutely convivial, while always upholding the excellence of high-level sport.

Source: Press Release from Agence R&B Presse for the Morocco Royal Tour

Photos: © R&B Presse – Adèle Renauldon

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Categories: English , Jumper News Africa , Preview

Tagged as: Chevaux , Equestrian , Events , FRMSE , Horses , Jumper News , Jumper News Africa , Morocco Royal Tour , Preview , Showjumping

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Elite Equestrian magazine

Elite equestrian, celebrating the equestrian lifestyle. #eliteequestrian.

The iconic Moroccan circuit sets a date for 2023

A TWELFTH EDITION THAT PROMISES TO BE SENSATIONAL

From October 5th in Tetouan, to October 22nd in El Jadida, with a stop in Rabat from October 12th to 15th, Morocco will again play host to the world of international showjumping.The 12th edition of the Morocco Royal Tour, will give the opportunity to riders to collect one of their minimum eligibility requirements (MER) in the 3 Grand Prix, for the upcoming major events: the 2024 World Final in Riyadh and the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

We all remember the fantastic 2022 edition, which ended with Morocco winning all three Grand Prix of the series with our two incredible Moroccan riders: Abdelkebir Ouaddar winning both of Tetouan and El Jadida Grand Prix , and El Ghali Boukaa winning in Rabat . A great moment in the history of the Morocco Royal Tour!

The three Grand Prix 4* will also be qualifiers for the Arab/North African League for the FEI Longines World Cup , the final of which will be held this season from April 16th to the 20th, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Rabat, for its part, will also host a stage of the World Cup of Nations circuit , the highlight of the Moroccan CSIO, which takes place on Sunday afternoon . So far, nine nations have sent in their entries, including title holders Germany.

A CSI 1* will also be held on each of the three stages: a magnificent equestrian journey for amateur riders.

The 2023 edition will take place this year from October 5th to 22nd and will feature a total of thirteen events counting towards the FEI Longines World Ranking , with prize money totaling €749,000.

The prestigious Morocco Royal Tour is undoubtedly a must-attend event with challenging classes (13 of which will count towards the FEI world ranking) and has established itself as a renowned series on the international scene. Each of the three stages takes place in magnificent scenic towns with top-quality infrastructures. The atmosphere at this event is resolutely convivial, while always upholding the excellence of high-level sport.

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.

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Morocco Royal Tour 2023 - Rabat

We've already had one exciting leg of the Morocco Royal Tour which took us to Tetouan, and now we get ready for the second in Rabat! If you love watching world-class show jumping and feats of incredible athleticism then this 4* tour is definitely perfect for you. TUNE in LIVE to ClipMyHorse.TV to catch all of this Moroccan excitement!

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Destination: Morocco Royal Tour, Part II

If you are an avid horse & style reader, you may have read of my 2018 trip to rabat, morocco, to attend the wonderful morocco royal tour (mrt) for the first time, in our spring ‘19 issue. last october, i eagerly returned to morocco – this time to tétouan – to catch the first stop on the 2019 tour..

One of the northernmost cities in Morocco, Tétouan is one of two major ports of Morocco on the Mediterranean Sea and lies along the Martil Valley just a few miles south of the Strait of Gibraltar. Having been to Rabat the previous year, a bustling city and the capital of Morocco, I was excited to visit a different region in the country I have begun to know and love. Bringing along my trusty travel buddy, my mother Terri Roberson, we set out on the 36-hour door-to-door excursion to Tétouan.

Tétouan, Morocco, photo © Sarah Appel

Take Me to Tétouan

Waking up to a view of the ocean was the perfect way to start round two of my Moroccan experience. Located quite a bit further north than more frequented cities, such as Casablanca and Marrakech, spending time in Tétouan felt like a real cultural immersion, and each person we met was kind and welcoming. Tétouan does not get many American tourists, and in fact, the entire time I was there, besides my mother and me, we did not come across any other Americans. The food in Tétouan is incredible! With a bit of Spanish influence melded into the local flavors, every meal was an experience in itself. I learned that on Fridays in Tétouan it is traditional to eat couscous – a custom I definitely decided to start implementing at home in the States. 

La Garde Royale de Tétouan

The first stop on the MRT is set on the grounds of the La Garde Royale de Tétouan. As we traveled by shuttle from the airport to the show grounds, winding through the streets of Tétouan, I couldn’t imagine where the 4* horse show facility could possibly be located. Then, just as we rounded a corner, barely making the turn, La Garde Royale de Tétouan appeared almost as if it were a mirage. Two large gates set on each side of the property are the only access in to the facility. The arena has open public grandstands on one long side and a royal building on the other, reserved for the royal family and their guests to sit. On the short side of the arena sits the in-gate as well as a riders’ lounge, where you can find riders socializing, watching the class and enjoying my personal favorite: Moroccan mint tea!

photo © Sarah Appel

Meet Me in Morocco

The lineup of riders for the 4* was quite impressive: Canadian rider Tiffany Foster, Irish rider Billy Twomey and local hero and Moroccan legend Abdelkebir Ouaddar, just to name a few. Every day was full of exciting show jumping, and on the final day, it was French rider Olivier Perreau and his mount GL Events Veniza d’Aiguilly who took the win in the CSI4*-W Grand Prix. He jumped for the win with a full house of packed stands and cheering spectators. During the prize giving ceremony, local fans lined the arena to get a better view of the top placing pairs. After Perreau’s win he was whisked away to meet with the royal family and their guests and was asked to cut and eat the first piece of specialty cake made for the occasion. After a day like that, it was fair to say Perreau was having his cake and eating it too!

Olivier Perreau and GL Events Veniza d’Aiguilly, winners of the MRT CSI 4*-W Grand Prix, photo © Sarah Appel

Billy Twomey (IRL) and Chat Botte E.D, photo © Sarah Appel

More Medina

It’s no secret, if you’ve read any of my previous travel articles, after show jumping and sightseeing, my favorite thing to do while traveling internationally is shop. I’ve been known to squeeze oversized tea trays from Doha and stuff as many poufs from Rabat as could possibly fit in my luggage. Once again, I embarked on a mission to the Medina. And this particular Medina is not one to miss. Centuries old and little changed over the years, the Medina of Tétouan is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Ahmed and his gorgeous Moroccan rugs at the Medina, photo © Sarah Appel

This year while shopping I couldn’t get enough rugs. And why would I buy anything else? As I meandered through the fish, pigs feet and live chickens, I finally found my way to where I was meant to be: with Ahmed, a proud shop owner who sells his rugs all over the world. Of course I believed him, but just in case I needed more proof, he proudly showed me his book full of package slips which indeed were sent all over the world. After tea and some time spent on his roof top, from which we had 360° views of all of Tétouan, we got down to business. Ahmed and another gentleman who worked in his shop pulled out rugs and blankets in every color, shape and style. We lined the floor with options and optimistically rolled up what I thought I could carry back in my luggage. It was of course too much, yet at the same time I wish I had bought more, but just another reason to go back to Tétouan. 

An MRT Historic Moment

As my time in Tétouan came to an end, history was about to be made the following week in Rabat. With the Olympic teams forming for the 2020 Games in Tokyo, suddenly all eyes were on the second stop on the MRT and their Nations Cup™ competition.  A fairytale ending secured the Egyptian team, comprised of Mohamed Taher Zeyada, Nayel Nassar, Abdel Said and Sameh El Dahan, one of two remaining spots for Tokyo. The last time an Egyptian showjumping team competed at an Olympic Games was 60 years ago, in Rome in 1960. I know that, along with me, everyone from the MRT will be cheering on the Egyptian team, knowing history was made on Moroccan soil. 

Luckily for me, there is still one more stop left on the Morocco Royal Tour that I have yet to visit: El Jadida. I look forward to visiting next year and experiencing a whole new area of Morocco. Until then, I will dream about which treasures may be waiting for me in a medina somewhere in El Jadida.

This article originally appeared in our Winter ’19/20 issue. Read the full issue online here !

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Moroccan Mood

Take note! The 7th edition of Morocco Royal Tour proved a true triumph and equestrian hotspot, setting the chic scene as an A-list destination for international riders.

By Maria Graae. Photo by Maria Graae & J.Rodrigues

“The only thing warmer than the Moroccan sun is the warmth of it’s people,” said international ringmaster Pedro Cebulk , when international riders and Moroccan home-crowd favourites met up at the 2016 Morocco Royal Tour, September 29th to October 16th 2016, on three successive weekends in the cities of Tétouan, Rabat and El Jadida. Highlights of this 7th edition included three Longines FEI World Cup Qualifying competitions rated CSI3*W; a total of 27 classes, including 12 counting for the Longines FEI Ranking List as well as a totalled prize money of €531,000.

We joined the Rabat leg, featuring a showground part of the Royal Equestrian Club Dar Essalam, located just ten kilometres from the very centre of Rabat, capital of Morocco and home of the vast Royal Palace. A city also famed for the Hassan Tower and Mausoleum of Mohammed V, guarded by remarkably handsome horsemen in traditional military attire, situated on top of a hill offering panoramic views of the city and the Atlantic Ocean. But its´ only once you’ve entered through the heavy wooden gate into the Royal Equestrian Club Dar Essalam, the true magic that is Morocco is revealed, a green wonderful old argan trees provides welcome shade from the sun and gives the impression of almost being in an magic forest of vibrant colours, hues, shades paired with stunning horses.

The royal club was established in 1971 under the patronage of His Majesty King Hassan II, the Club had the honour of having the then Crown Prince His Majesty King Mohammed VI as its first President. Today the swoon-worthy private stables of the royal family is located within the grounds of the equestrian Club, although not open to casual visitors, unlike the rest of the impressive grounds which also houses a charming café, several tack shops, a pony club, veterinary clinic and highly qualified instructor’s in both dressage and jumping. The horses are stabled in spacious stables overlooking the charming views and gleaming green.

With the private royal stables and old trees as a backdrop, the spacious state-of-the-art showing proved to be a magnet for spectators and true top sport, creating an electric sophisticated atmosphere not to be missed, as onlookers was eager to cheer on the international competitors and home-crowd favourite Olympic star, Abdelkebir Ouaddar.

New in 2016, the Morocco Royal Tour hosted a CSIO3* FEI Nations Cup during the Rabat stage, featuring a total of ten countries, the Irish, the Italian and the Moroccan riders looked dashing in their uniforms, drawing female attention in plenty but it was the Belgium team that came out on top, jumping to victory with a total of zero point. Italy followed in a second place, collecting a total of four penalties. Saudi-Arabia, Morocco and Switzerland tied for third place, all finishing with a total of 8 points.

For the second year in a row, it was Swiss star Pius Schwizer who earned top honours in the highlight event, the 61,800 euro Grand Prix de Feue S.A.R La princes Lalla Amina. The class saw 42 international starters take on the Round 1 track designed by Italy’s Uliano Vezzani, but despite the immense talent present, no combination could keep the zero on the scoreboard. All ten of those who suffered four faults advanced to the second round. Schwizer rode the fastest second round in an edge-of-the seat jump-off and secured the class aboard his impressive gelding Balou Rubin R.

– It was a big big Grand Prix for a three-stars, Schwizer said about the class. -I think Vezzani is the best course designer of the world. It was not the highest course today, but it was still very difficult. My horse jumped very good. It’s been a good day for me, Schwizer smiled.

We also caught up with Olympic gold 2016 medallist Phillippe Rozier , trainer of the Moroccan national showjumping team, on the final evening of the show to learn more on his inside knowledge on Moroccan equestrian sport;

– I first joined the Moroccan Royal Tour 4 years ago and the show has kept on improving, the facilities and atmosphere is unmistakably a five star through and through. But to develop the many talented Moroccan riders, we feel a three star event is a better fit, the charming Rozier stated. – Winning the Olympics was a dream come true, but every day life; training and going to shows that´s my true adrenalin, there’s more spotlight on me now, but I’m the same person and keep on living the same life, we’ll continue the work with the Moroccan riders and its some thing I enjoy very much. The King as well as the president of the Moroccan´ equestrian federation have wen’t all in and through massive investment and hard work, we have a very good team and amazing show venues, the future looks bright, added Rozier.

The Moroccan Royal Tour is Organized by the Equestrian Royal Federation of Morocco, the Salon du Cheval d’El Jadida Association and the Royal Guard, under the aegis of the FEI. More information: www.mrt.ma

Maria Graae

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HIS MAJESTY MOHAMED VI, KING OF MOROCCO NAMED OWNER OF THE YEAR 2015 18th May 2016

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Are Planning a Royal Visit to Morocco

The royal couple are set to spend time in the country later this month.

The Duke and Duchess's jam-packed itinerary has been released.

After arriving the night before, the couple's engagements will kick off in earnest on Sunday, February 24th with visit a Education for All, a boarding house in Asni that serves girls from rural communities. Harry and Meghan will speak to the children and teachers at the organization, and Meghan will take part in a henna ceremony; later in the day, Harry will award Michael McHugo, Education for All's founder, with an MBE. Harry and Meghan are also set to stop by Lycee Qualifiant Grand Atlas, before attending an official reception at the British Ambassador's residence in Rabat.

For their second and last day of official events in Morocco, the royal couple will visit the Moroccan Royal Federation of Equestrian Sports to learn about its equine therapy program for children with special needs. Later, they'll study traditional Moroccan cuisine at the Villa des Ambassadors, and finally, stop by the Andalusian Gardens to learn about a youth empowerment initiative.

The couple is hoping to advocate for two causes close to their hearts.

A spokesperson from Kensington Palace explained to People that the trip would center around two main causes. " It will build on the close relationship between the U.K. and Morocco," the spokesperson said. "The Duke and Duchess are looking forward to the visit which will highlight the vital roles that girls’ education and youth empowerment are playing in, and shaping, modern Morocco."

Royal reporter Hannah Furness pointed out on Twitter that there is a great opportunity for the Duke and Duchess to make an impact. She referred to an article Michelle Obama wrote in 2016 about the state of women's education in Morocco. "While Morocco has made huge strides in education, and nearly all girls there attend elementary school... many of them drop out of school by the time they turn twelve," she wrote in CNN piece . "Right now, only 14 percent of girls in rural Morocco attend high school."

As we know, Meghan Markle and Michelle Obama have spoken together before about the importance of girls' education.

Harry and Meghan are making the trip at the request of the U.K. government.

Overseas trips by the royal family are arranged by the U.K.'s Foreign Office . The British Ambassador to Morocco explained his view of the visit's purpose in a recent tweet . "The visit is a recognition of the strong relationship between our two countries," he wrote. "It is a chance to enjoy #Morocco’s history and look to its future, focusing on the role of women, youth and #education in making that future @UKinMorocco."

Interestingly, as royal reporter Brittani Barger observed in a tweet , no engagements with the Moroccan royal family have been announced.

Chloe is a News Writer for Townandcountrymag.com , where she covers royal news, from the latest additions to Meghan Markle’s staff to Queen Elizabeth’s monochrome fashions ; she also writes about culture, often dissecting TV shows like The Marvelous Mrs Maisel and Killing Eve .

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