Alix Ragot Secures Victory at Morocco Royal Tour
Defending champions of the previous year's event, Alix Ragot and his mare Serafina DHB Z once again showcased their exceptional talent by effortlessly navigating the challenges set by Spanish course designer Santiago Varela. With this impressive performance, the French rider has secured his ticket to the World Cup stage, where he will compete on a different mount. Meanwhile, the Spanish rider took second place with the Selle Français mare Champenoise de Rampan.
Set against the lush backdrop of the Dar Es Salam Equestrian Center, home of the Royal Moroccan Federation for Equestrian Sports, the second leg of the Morocco Royal Tour unfolds beautifully. Following the charm of Tetouan, this stage of the FEI World Cup show jumping circuit takes place just a stone's throw from the Atlantic Ocean. To enhance their chances in tomorrow's Grand Prix, competitors were eager to perform well this afternoon, especially considering that the top 25 athletes from the Arab league automatically qualify. A total of 27 pairs managed to complete the challenging A course without penalties, compelling contenders for victory to navigate tight turns. Starting in 22nd position, Alix Ragot and his stylish bay mare Serafina DHB Z were the first to complete the course in under 70 seconds. Despite the efforts of the 35 subsequent competitors, none could topple their impressive time of 67.74 seconds. Only Pello Elorduy Ibarzabal (ESP) and Harm Lahde (GER) also finished under 70 seconds, riding Champenoise de Rampan and GSI Sir Dominator, respectively. The SF gelding Gatsby Diamond (Diamant de Semilly, sf) finished fourth, closely followed by a tight group of SF horses securing the 9th to 11th places: Embassy du Château (Jarnac, sf), Haristo du Gué (Cicero Z), and Douglas Mail (Tygar Mail, sf).
Excitement and Dedication in Competition
Thrilled with his performance, Alix Ragot relishes the moment even more as he had previously won this event last year with the same mare. "I was a bit lucky because there were two who were faster than me but had four faults," he admits. "After that, I’m fortunate to have a mare that is naturally very fast. So generally, if I ride well and don’t try to go faster than what she can already do, she often ends up in the top three." The Eurélien rider returns each year with immense joy and ambition. "This is a competition I mark on my calendar since the beginning of the year," he explains. "I make arrangements to come here every time. It's truly a competition that is dear to my heart. The hospitality is fantastic, and the quality of the event is exceptional." In 2025, Serafina DHB Z made her debut at this level right here and did so impressively, having claimed victory. "She was seven years old the first year I brought her here. She was jumping at the one-star level and had already won two one-star Grand Prix events. Each year we change venues, which is beneficial for young horses to gain experience. We jump on really different tracks."
Serafina DHB Z has fostered a remarkable journey between Alix Ragot and her owners, Véronique and Jacques Jouvelot, along with their daughter Marie and son-in-law Anthony Rollin. "They were owners who invested in me for the first time back then," the rider explains. "It was during the Fences Performers sales in Fontainebleau, and it was their first time purchasing horses for me. We have now been working together for four years, and I have 14 horses that belong to them. We share the same philosophy, which is really wonderful. On that day, I tried six or seven horses, and we ended up buying three. She was the one I liked the most during the trial, and in the end, it pays off."
Alix will, however, ride QH Sole Mio Santo Antonio (_Canvas Plus_) in the World Cup Grand Prix, while Geule d’Amours (_Contendro I, holst_) will compete in the Nations Cup on Sunday. Serafina DHB Z will aim to secure a second victory during Saturday evening's 'Winning Round.'
As reported by leperon.fr.
