Philippe Rozier's Triumphant Comeback
After a decade-long absence from leading the Moroccan equestrian team, the Olympic champion from Rio, Philippe Rozier, has returned with remarkable performances that have captivated audiences. He recently participated in the Morocco Royal Tour, where his team achieved an impressive second place in the CSIO4*-W Nations Cup held in Rabat. Following a fiercely contested jump-off, Rozier celebrated with the Moroccan contingent, expressing his enthusiasm about the team's accomplishments.
"It's fantastic!" he exclaimed. "I had told His Majesty that we would aim to bring back a medal from the Mediterranean Games. In the end, we returned with two medals, which was my primary objective. My secondary goal was to stand on the podium here, and we achieved that. From what I understand since my departure, the team has not been on the podium for a while. I believe the job is done. Next year, the target is to qualify for the Olympic Games." Rozier's pride in his riders, including Ali Al Ahrach, El Ghali Boukaa, Abdelkebir Ouaddar, and Abdelslam Bennani Smires, was evident. He expertly managed his squad, initially planning to follow the same order as in the Mediterranean Games but adapted his strategy based on the draw.
Rozier recounted how he paired Ali with the horse that performed exceptionally well in Tétouan the previous week, maintaining a perfect record. He encouraged Kébir, who wasn't feeling confident, by reminding him of the importance of their performance. Rozier stressed the quality of the equestrian skills displayed by his riders, stating, "I don’t want to achieve results by compromising horse welfare or doing anything reckless. I have four amazing riders and more talented individuals behind them. It's crucial to set an example, and those at the top always inspire others. I appreciate that mindset. I know them all well; even after ten years away from Morocco, they remember me, which saves time in our preparations." After more than two hours of suspense, the Frenchman finally felt a sense of relief and joy. "I think I’ll age faster than when I was riding, because this is tough!" he laughed. "Riding two courses is one thing, but doing eight is another. I thought I would retire, but this is just too enjoyable!"
As reported by leperon.fr.
