Edited press release from Morocco Royal Tour
Morocco is a land of welcome. It is with this spirit that the Morocco Royal Tour Foundation was created twelve years ago: Welcoming the world of equestrian sports to three magnificent competitions in the best possible conditions. After two years of interruption due to the health crisis, the Morocco Royal Tour has resolutely resumed its place in the international calendar. From October 6 in Tetouan and until October 23 in El Jadida via Rabat, Morocco will once again welcome the world of international jumping.
At a time of the season when riders must return to the indoor arenas in Europe, the Morocco Royal Tour, held under the mild autumn sun, is a circuit much appreciated by the best riders in the world. Previous editions have seen Olympic Champions, World or European Champions, or world number ones: The prestigious series of three four-star CSI(O/W) which passes through Tetouan, Rabat and El Jadida can finally enter its second decade.
The 2022 edition will take place this year from October 6 to 23, and will offer thirteen classes counting for the FEI Longines World Ranking, with a total prize money of €747,000.
The three 4* Grand Prix are also qualifying classes for the Arab/North African League for the FEI Longines World Cup, the final of which will be held this season from April 4 to 8, 2023 for the second time in Omaha, USA, while Rabat will host a leg of the Nations Cup circuit, the highlight of the Moroccan CSIO, which will be held on Sunday afternoon. A CSI1* will be held in parallel on each of the three stages: A beautiful equestrian journey for amateurs.
This Nations Cup will be held between twelve teams representing four continents. Within these teams, we find some great names of this sport such as the Brazilian Luciana Diniz, who ran under the Portuguese colours and who is returning to her first love. Another female star of this line-up is the Canadian Beth Underhill, who returns to Morocco after a particularly brilliant season, winning last May the 5* Grand Prix of the CSIO in La Baule.
France will also present itself with a competitive team led by the former world number one, Simon Delestre, the best French rider at the Olympic Games in Tokyo last year and at the World Championships in Herning in August.
The 12 participating nations at the Nations Cup in Rabat:
Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Egypt, France, Germany, Netherlands, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Switzerland and Morocco
Italy's Emanuele Gaudiano has won countless times in the various stages of the MRT: He is back this year and will be as formidable as ever, especially in the speed events.
Germany will count on David Will, who placed 7th at the 2021 European Championships after a silver medal in the team competition, and finished 6th at this year's FEI World Cup Final.
These are only a few names from a rich line-up, but of course, the public of the Morocco Royal Tour will only have eyes for its team and its leader Abdelkebir Ouaddar, the man with 86 international victories alongside his two teammates from the Tokyo Olympic Games El Ghali Boukaa and Ali Al Ahrach.
Great stakes, a prestigious series solidly established on the international circuit with high quality infrastructures for each of the three stages, in beautiful cities with a strong tourist attraction, all in a resolutely friendly atmosphere: The Morocco Royal Tour is certainly an event that stands out from the ordinary and has become a must at the end of the outdoor season.