Edited press release from Morocco Royal Tour

Friday marked the second day of the 2024 Moroccan Royal Tour (MRT) in the stunning mountainous city of Tetouan. 

The French have left nothing on the table for the week’s highlight 4* classes. During Friday’s CSI4*-W 1.45m Grand Prix Qualifier, the Prix de la Marche Verte, France's former world number one Simon Delestre rode the 10-year-old mare Olga van de Kruishoeve (El Torreo de Muze x Nabab de Reve) to yet another victory ahead of Ramzy Al Duhami (KSA) and Addressee (Messenger x Chacco-Blue) in second and Alix Ragot (FRA) aboard Gotcha de Baerenrain (Vagabond de La Pomme x Fetiche du Pas) in third. 

The pair have racked up almost a dozen CSI5* wins within the year they’ve been together. “Olga is a very nice horse, very clever and pleasant to ride," Delestre said. "She’s a classical mare, and the connection came very fast with her. With some horses, it takes much longer, but she always fights for you and helps you in the arena. For sure, the winter is going to be long and tough, so it’s great to have some shows like this. I always try to bring some new horses here because I can build them up at this level while taking my time.”

It’s exactly what he did last year when the pair won the two opening 4* classes in Tétouan including the CSI4*-W Grand Prix Qualifier, the Prix de la Marche Verte. For Delestre, it is a welcomed case of déjà vu. Whether this pair will contest Sunday’s Grand Prix is still to be seen because, as usual, Delestre came to Morrocco well-equipped.

“I came with three good horses that could all jump the Grand Prix. I’ll have to decide who is going to jump the Nations’ Cup next week in Rabat, and from that, I’ll decide who to enter on Sunday. I need to see how the other classes go for now."