For European riders, the third leg of the Morocco Royal Tour in El Jadida marks a smooth transition from the summer season to indoor competition under the best possible circumstances. For example, on a track worthy of the finest arenas on the World Cup circuit. The first day of this return to indoors featured two “appetizing” events, while the serious business begins tomorrow with the qualifying round for the 4* Grand Prix.
After the Saudis' flawless sweep of all the weekend's “top” 4* events, we had our bets on this result…and the green jackets didn’t disappoint the prognosticators. Gathering the lead after the first round, they clinched the coveted Nations' Cup in Morocco for the first time, with two double clear rounds from Abdullhah Alsharbatly and Ramzy Al Duhami and three foot-perfect efforts in the second round, leaving Italy 5 points behind and overtaking Belgium, who finished third this year.
After the victory of Spain's Carolina Aresu Garcia Obregon in the Accumulator with Telhueche (“a horse with a huge heart,” said Carolina), the 4* riders met again at night for the main event of the day, the Prix Maroc Telecom, a 1.50 m “winning-tour” in which 31 riders took part... And in the end, it was a Saudi who reigned victorious.
Just one year after becoming the National Reining Horse Association’s (NRHA) first-ever $8 Million Rider, Andrea Fappani has etched his name in the history books once again as the first rider to surpass $9 million in earnings. This remarkable accomplishment coincides with his induction into the NRHA Hall of Fame, marking 2024 as another defining year in the career of NRHA’s all-time leading rider.
Hang Ten Surprize has officially reached the coveted status of National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Million Dollar Sire. This milestone marks a significant achievement in the stallion’s already illustrious career, solidifying his place among the elite sires who have made an enduring impact on the sport of reining.
Switzerland’s Bryan Balsiger perhaps tried a little bit too hard to chase her time aboard his top horse, PSG Starlight, and collected a rail. Yet, we can expect he too is happy for Joly.
As the sun dipped below the mountains in Tetouan, the action was just beginning for CSI4*-W 1.50m PRIX DE DAKHLA riders. Namely, Emanuele Guadiano (ITA), for there is no Moroccan Royal Tour (MRT) title this ambitious Italian won’t fight for. Despite landing in the unfavorable position of first-to-go, Guadiano naturally laid it all out on the table with 11-year-old stallion Nikolaj de Music, crossing the timers in a blistering 37.71 seconds.
This morning it was a top-9 Moroccan wave in the CSI1* PRIX DE ZOUADA 1.25m that delighted the home audience. Zakaria Zoundi led the contingent with a proud salute aboard 15-year-old gelding Vincenzo du Ter, the singular rider in the strong 35 combination class to break the 60-second barrier, clocking in at 59.82 seconds. Hot on his heels was the young Rayane El Ouarzazi with his ‘heart horse,’ 17-year-old mare Carousa 2. The pair have been partnered for just shy of a decade, and he’s determined this will be their final year showing together. So naturally, he cherishes each top result.
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.
Attesting to an exceptional lineage, performance in the show pen and the success of his progeny, In Like Flinn has solidified his place in the history books as an NRHA Million Dollar Sire.
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