The thrilling conclusion of the Nations Cup in Rabat came down to a tense jump-off involving four teams: Germany, Belgium, France, and Morocco. Despite the valiant efforts of national hero Abdelkebir Ouaddar, it was Jeanne Sadran who ultimately secured victory for France. This victory arrives at a critical time for the French team as they prepare for the indoor season ahead.
The audience at the 16th edition of the CSIO4*-W in Rabat was treated to an exhilarating spectacle. The competition had its fair share of drama, with Spain's François Mathy Jr. missing out on the second round. Brazil opened the second half of the event with three pairs, but the elimination of Luiz Felipe Neto de Azevedo sealed their fate early on. Aside from Mans Thijssen and his exceptional horse, Revolution van het Audgoed, who delivered a flawless double round, the Netherlands struggled to impress, finishing in seventh place with a total of 20 penalty points. The Swiss team, featuring Anthony Bourquard and his Selle Français Everest d’Ellipse, also faced challenges but managed to salvage sixth place after a stronger performance in the second round. Italy showed promising form, particularly with Roberto Previtali aboard the capable Quirinus 27 and the powerful Chacco’s Air PS, who is the full brother of Tailormade Chaccothargo. Ultimately, Italy finished fifth. Notably, three teams—Belgium, Germany, and France—entered the second round with a clean slate, while Morocco, with only one fault, was poised to challenge with impressive rounds from Ali Al Ahrach and Abdelslam Bennani Smires.
The France-Morocco Showdown
The second round featured the same course designed by Santiago Varela, which did not present any significant challenges overall. However, the refusal of Leopard des Joanins Z to jump a water jump he had previously cleared was a surprising twist. With one refusal, two knocked bars, and a time penalty, Olivier Perreau exited the ring weighed down by disappointment. He remarked, “It’s the hard reality of sport.” Fortunately, Alix Ragot (Gueule d’Amours), Cyril Bouvard (Diva du Rozel), and Jeanne Sadran (Dexter de Kerglenn) managed to add only four points to the team's score, a feat matched by their German and Belgian counterparts. Meanwhile, the Moroccan team, energized by their home crowd, delivered three perfect rounds, successfully joining the three other teams in the jump-off.
Intensity in Rabat's Heat
The atmosphere was electric as the jump-off began. Team leaders faced the crucial decision of selecting their jump-off contenders. Philippe Rozier placed his bets on Morocco's number one rider, Abdelkebir Ouaddar, and his spirited horse, Festival d’Argouges. Despite a rocky start, Ouaddar seemed to rise to the occasion, showcasing an instinctual ride that produced a stunning time of 33.78 seconds, setting the tone for the competition amidst a frenzy of excitement. At this moment, the pressure on Jeanne Sadran was palpable. Having already delivered two impressive rounds with her loyal mount Dexter de Kerglenn, the winner of the 2* Grand Prix the previous Saturday, Sadran rose to the challenge at a critical juncture. Her time of 33.24 seconds was just what the French team needed to take the lead. Although Germany's Tom Schewe also achieved a clean round with his horse Congress Blue PS, his time was not swift enough to surpass France. Thus, the podium was set for France, Morocco, and Germany, marking a triumphant conclusion to this remarkable Nations Cup, a testament to the warm hospitality and spirited competition provided by the Moroccan hosts.
As reported by leperon.fr.
