The Morocco Royal Tour is currently in full swing, showcasing thrilling equestrian talent during its second week of competitions held at the prestigious headquarters of the Royal Moroccan Equestrian Federation (FRMSE) in Rabat. On Thursday, the spotlight was on France's Alix Ragot, who, alongside his remarkable mare, Serafina DBH Z, clinched victory in the CSIO4*-W 1.45m Prix Wilaya de La Région Rabat Salé Kénitra. This event serves as a qualifier for the much-anticipated 1.55m Grand Prix scheduled for Friday.

A remarkable total of 57 skilled horse-and-rider pairs competed in the Prix Wilaya de La Région Rabat Salé Kénitra, a fast-paced 1.45m speed class. The course, expertly designed by the renowned Spanish course designer Santiago Varela, proved to be a challenging yet exhilarating test for the participants. Alix Ragot, riding his reliable nine-year-old mare, Serafina DH Z, executed a flawless performance, finishing with an impressive time of 67.74 seconds, a record that remained unmatched throughout the competition.

Reflecting on his victory during the prize-giving ceremony, Ragot humbly acknowledged, "I was a bit lucky, as two other riders were actually faster, but they both had four faults. My mare is naturally very fast, so normally, as long as I don't make any mistakes, she's on the podium. In fact, she won her first 1.50m class right here in Rabat last year. I love coming to the MRT. I've had it marked on my calendar for several years now. It's a fantastic tour for developing horses, especially younger ones. Each leg is very different, giving them the opportunity to experience new environments and improve their ability to adapt."

Following Ragot in the rankings, Spain’s Pello Elorduy Ibarzabal and his mount, Champenoise de Rampan, secured the second position with a time of 68.89 seconds. Germany's Harm Lahde rounded out the podium aboard Gsi Sir Dominator, clocking in at 69.73 seconds. The Morocco Royal Tour continues to be a highlight in the equestrian calendar, providing a platform for equestrians to showcase their skills and for horses to gain invaluable experience.

As reported by worldofshowjumping.com.