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, a thrilling week of top-level competition is assured.
Among 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 eight-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 eight-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 four-star classes. It’s excellent for us to have three four-star 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 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.
The thirteenth edition of the Morocco Royal Tour takes place between September 19 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 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 FEI.
The circuit kicks off in Tetouan, from September 19-22, at the superb facilities of the Garde Royale. The Rabat show, from September 25-29, is held at the 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 3-6, is an indoor event where the flagship class of the circuit, the Grand Prix de Sa Majesté le Roi Mohammed VI de Saut d’obstacles, is held.
PRIX DE L’INDEPENDANCE CSI4*-W -1.40 m
Faults & Time
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
Full results here.
~ with files from R&B Presse
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