Horses for Everyone: The Moroccan Royal Tour’s Celebration of Sport & Heritage

Each autumn, Morocco opens its gates to the world through the Moroccan Royal Tour; a three-week celebration that transforms the country into a living, breathing showcase of equestrian culture, sport, and public inclusion. Now in its 14th year, the Tour has become much more than a calendar highlight - it is a national statement about what horse sport can represent when accessibility, heritage, and high-level competition coexist.

At a time when global equestrianism faces questions about inclusivity, Morocco has found a formula that unites people from every background, including riders, breeders, families, tourists, and lifelong horse lovers, under one shared passion. Across its three destinations, from the Andalusian charm of First stop on the circuit, Tetouan to the grandeur of Rabat and the coastal vibrancy of El Jadida, the Moroccan Royal Tour invites the public not only to watch, but to belong.

A Journey Through Morocco's Heart

The Royal Tour began in 2010 under the patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, designed to strengthen Morocco’s equestrian reputation and share its centuries-old horse culture with the world. Fourteen years later, the Tour has matured into an event of international prestige with a CSI4*-W circuit that attracts Olympic riders, rising Moroccan talents at 1* level, and teams from across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Yet its defining feature remains its accessibility. Entry is free, the stables are open, and the energy is festive rather than exclusive.

Families attend in their thousands, schoolchildren arrive on day trips, and tourists weave horse sport into their travel itineraries, and the horse becomes a bridge between tradition and modernity, sport and culture, locals and visitors.

The Tour’s three stages mirror the diversity of the country itself. Each city adds a different rhythm: Tétouan’s quiet elegance, Rabat’s international stage, and El Jadida’s family-filled fairground atmosphere. Together, they create a national journey where sport, education, and tourism blend seamlessly.

Tétouan: Andalusian Charm Meets Sporting Tradition

The first stop on the circuit: Tétouan.

The curtain rose in Tétouan, a northern city framed by the Rif Mountains and the Mediterranean. Its white-washed medina, also a UNESCO World Heritage site, is often described as Morocco’s most “Andalusian” city, echoing the craftsmanship and architecture of Moorish Spain. However, in September every year, it is the thunder of hooves rather than the call of artisans that fills the air.

The first leg of the competition unfolds at the Royal Guard’s historic stud farm, a venue that feels both ceremonial yet bustling with energy. More than a hundred riders representing eighteen nations competed across four days of CSI1* and CSI4* classes, and the night sessions under floodlights drew crowds that would rival a concert. Year after year, families, tourists, and locals pack the grandstands, cheering at each jump with unrestrained joy.

For many, this show will mark their first encounter with affiliated equestrian sport, and the excitement is contagious. Morocco’s own Abdeslam Bennani Smires delivered a dream victory in the CSI4*-W Grand Prix, riding Davino Q to triumph in front of an ecstatic home crowd. His win was both symbolic and historic: A Moroccan rider taking top honours on home soil in a field that included international stars such as Ramzy Al Duhami, who claimed the Grand Prix qualifier, and Emanuele Gaudiano, who once again displayed his trademark speed to win the 1.50m night class aboard Julius.D.

But the accessibility of the Tétouan stage is not just about free admission, it is also about proximity and the way visitors could spend the morning exploring the medina’s narrow lanes, then walk to the showgrounds for an evening of world-class sport. The first leg of the Royal Tour truly offers a new kind of experience, balancing accessible sport with a backdrop steeped in culture.

Rabat: The Capital of Sport and Education

The second week of competition takes place in Rabat, the capital of Morocco.

From the Mediterranean coast, the Tour travels south to Morocco’s capital Rabat. Here, the Dar Es Salam complex, headquarters of the Royal Moroccan Federation of Equestrian Sports, becomes the backdrop to true international level showjumping. The facility, long considered the country’s equestrian epicenter, recently underwent significant modernization to meet the highest international standards, and the riders we spoke to all applauded the vigilance the Tour has to ensure the horses wellbeing is considered at all times.

But Rabat’s significance stretches far beyond the week’s competition schedule as the Dar Es Salam complex doubles as a year-round educational hub. Its riding schools, pony clubs, and dedicated Tbourida academy ensure that horses remain part of the capital’s civic and cultural fabric. The Tbourida academy’s focus is to preserve Morocco’s UNESCO-recognized traditional mounted gunfire discipline.

The highlight of the Rabat leg is the Nations Cup, a CSI4*-W qualifier that this year brought together strong teams from Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. The stakes are immense, just like any other Nations Cup, with national pride and global ranking points on the line. When the final round ended, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia emerged victorious for the second consecutive year, led by Ramzy Al Duhami and Abdulrahman Alrajhi, whose composure under pressure epitomized professionalism.

For Morocco, the home crowd’s support was thunderous, and the national team’s effort, though narrowly shy of victory, reflected that Morocco’s riders now stand shoulder-to-shoulder with established powerhouses. Spanish rider Armando Trapote aboard Karl P claimed the Grand Prix qualifier, while France celebrated its own success on a “French Day” as Alix Ragot (Serafina Dbh Z) and Noah Keller (Carina Z) captured podium finishes.

For visitors, this blend of heritage and sport offered a unique rhythm: mornings exploring the Hassan Tower and the Kasbah of the Oudayas, afternoons at the Nations Cup amid roaring fans, and evenings dining along the Atlantic promenade. In Rabat, the Royal Tour is truly a reflection of Morocco itself; proud, welcoming, and forward-looking.

El Jadida: The Grand Finale By The Sea

The third and final leg of the Tour takes place in El Jadida.

If Tétouan represented Morocco’s elegance and Rabat its ambition, El Jadida embodied its spirit of celebration. The coastal city’s Portuguese-built citadel and UNESCO-listed port provided the backdrop for the Salon du Cheval d’El Jadida, Africa’s largest horse fair and the Tour’s grand finale. Each October, the Parc d’Exposition Mohammed VI transforms into a living showcase of everything the Moroccan horse represents - power, grace, and pride.

The 2025 edition began gently, with the first day devoted to CSI1* divisions and classes that welcomed amateur and developing riders. Moroccan competitors shone here, with Youssef Salmeron securing victories that delighted the home crowd. But as the week progressed, intensity built toward the CSI4*-W Grand Prix of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the final and most prestigious event of the circuit.

The Grand Prix delivered a fairy-tale ending. One week after his brother Eoin Brennan captured the World Championships for 7-year-olds in Lanaken, Ireland’s Timmy Brennan rode Diadema Della Caccia to victory in his first-ever 4-star Grand Prix. The win was as emotional as it was impressive. In the press conference, Brennan reflected that the Moroccan Royal Tour had been “incredibly educational” for both himself and his horses; a sentiment that perfectly captured the event’s spirit of opportunity.

The finale also saw other outstanding performances. Emanuele Gaudiano, already victorious in Tétouan and Rabat, claimed yet another win with Julius.D, confirming his remarkable consistency across the circuit. Abdullah Al Sharbatly, a familiar name to Moroccan audiences, continued his strong run aboard Alamo, taking another commanding victory. The French duo Nathalie Mack and Jérémy Le Roy added a touch of sentiment with what the press dubbed a “family double,” both winning their respective classes in front of delighted crowds.

Yet, what truly set El Jadida apart was its atmosphere. The Salon du Cheval drew over 160,000 visitors, turning the Tour’s closing weekend into a carnival of equestrian culture. Alongside the international show-jumping, spectators could watch Tbourida teams thunder down the arena in synchronized gunfire displays, visit artisan markets, or wander through exhibitions celebrating Morocco’s native Barb, Arab-Barb, and Purebred Arabian horses. For children, the vast children’s village offered pony rides, educational workshops, and interactive displays providing a playful introduction to a lifelong passion for horses.

Throughout the third-and-final leg, families filled the stands alongside seasoned equestrian professionals and school children on a day-trip, and the message was unmistakable: Horses in Morocco belong to everyone.

Why Accessibility Matters

The Moroccan Royal Tour’s greatest achievement may not be its medals but its model. By combining world-class sport with cultural authenticity and open access, it has redefined how equestrian events can engage the public. At every venue, entry is free, ensuring that no one is excluded by cost. The inclusion of CSI1* classes gives younger riders and less experienced horses the chance to develop alongside elite competition, making it an investment in the future rather than a showcase for the few.

Accessibility, however, is not limited to ticket prices. It is embedded in the design of the experience. Children can touch the horses, families can picnic ringside, and school groups are encouraged to attend. In a global landscape where youth sports participation has been shrinking under the weight of rising costs, Morocco’s model feels refreshingly inclusive.

Morocco’s deep understanding of horses is not a modern fascination; it is part of its cultural DNA. Growth in equestrian sport depends on nurturing the next generation of riders and fans, and that begins with access.

A Legacy That Belongs To Everyone

As the 2025 edition concludes, the Moroccan Royal Tour stands as one of the most meaningful expressions of equestrian culture we see on the sporting circuit. Celebrating excellence without exclusion, heritage without nostalgia, and tourism without artifice, it is a journey through landscapes and legacies,  but also through ideas: That horses can unite communities, educate children, and inspire visitors long after the final jump is cleared.

The Royal Tour’s message is simple yet profound: The horse belongs to everyone. And each autumn, Morocco invites the world to experience that truth - not from a distance, but up close.