By CHRISTINE BJERKAN
The Moroccan Royal Tour’s second leg takes place in Rabat, the nation’s political capital and one of Morocco’s great cultural destinations. Nestled on the Atlantic coast, Rabat blends dynastic history with modern energy. Tourists visiting the city can stroll through the blue-and-white Oudayas Kasbah overlooking the ocean, pause at the monumental Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, or enjoy the vibrant rhythms of Morocco’s cosmopolitan capital. Yet in late September, the focus turned from monuments to medals as the Dar Es Salam complex hosted the most prestigious stage of the Royal Tour: The Nations Cup.
The Nations Cup Showdown
The Nations Cup in Rabat is widely regarded as the sporting pinnacle of the Tour. As a CSI4*-W qualifier, it draws some of the strongest teams from Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, each riding for national pride. The 2025 edition lived up to its billing, offering drama, high stakes, and an atmosphere worthy of the occasion.
When the dust settled, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia emerged victorious, defending their title to win the Nations Cup in Rabat for the second year in a row. The Saudi team, anchored by seasoned rider Ramzy Al Duhami with Untouchable 32 and rising star Abdulrahman Alrajhi with Ventago, showed unwavering consistency under pressure. Khaled Almobty with Spacecake and Abdullah Alsharbatly with Böckmann’s Lord Pezi Junior completed the quartet. Their green jackets became a familiar sight at the top of the leaderboard, confirming Saudi Arabia’s growing strength on the global show jumping stage.
The Dutch team added a unique storyline, fielding the three siblings Sanne Thijssen, Mel Thijssen, and Mans Thijssen, alongside their father Leon Thijssen, with mother Dorien Thijssen serving as chef d’équipe. It was a rare moment in Nations Cup history that one family carried the weight of an entire team, underscoring the depth of Dutch equestrian heritage.
For Morocco’s national team, competing on home soil brought a wave of anticipation and hope. While the ultimate victory eluded them, their effort earned heartfelt applause from the grandstands. The sight of Moroccan riders giving their all in front of locals and fans reinforced one of the Tour’s central missions: To elevate national talent alongside international champions.
Performances Beyond the Cup
Though the Nations Cup was the centerpiece, the week in Rabat delivered a string of remarkable performances that revealed the depth and diversity of the field. Spain’s Armando Trapote aboard Karl P took the Grand Prix qualifier, navigating Uliano Vezzani’s technical course with precision to claim first place in the 1.50m Prix Wilaya Région. His margin was clear over Leon Thijssen on board Lambiek and Roberto Turchetto with Don Blue, who placed second and third.
Meanwhile, the French contingent stamped their authority on other classes, prompting the day to be dubbed “French Day” in Rabat. Riders such as Alix Ragot with Serafina DBH Z finished clear to win the 1.50m class Prix Maroc Telecom, ahead of Luiz Felipe Neto de Azevedo with Quibus Van Olv Hove and Noah Keller with Carina Z.
Other international names added to the prestige. Results across CSI4* classes showcased elite athletes from across continents, reinforcing Rabat’s status as a meeting ground for equestrian excellence from every corner of the globe. Together, these performances painted Rabat as a genuine international battleground, where elite competitors competed under Morocco’s sky and delivered results that resonated far beyond the arena.
A Venue for the Future
Dar Es Salam, headquarters of the Royal Moroccan Federation of Equestrian Sports, is more than just a venue for high-profile competitions. It has become the beating heart of Morocco’s equestrian ambitions. Significant investment in recent years has transformed the site, upgrading arenas and footing to rival Europe’s best. For riders, it represents world-class facilities; for the public, it is a place where accessibility and education are woven into the fabric of the sport.
The complex is home to riding schools and pony clubs, where children from the city can discover horses in a safe and structured environment. It also houses a dedicated Tbourida academy, preserving Morocco’s centuries-old mounted gunfire tradition. Now recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, Tbourida holds a prominent place alongside show jumping at Dar Es Salam. During the Nations Cup, visitors could watch international athletes compete in the main arena while children nearby led ponies or practiced riding skills, a powerful symbol of Morocco’s vision for the sport: Elite performance and grassroots education thriving side by side.
Accessible Sport in a Capital City
Although Rabat’s stage of the Moroccan Royal Tour was defined above all by the Nations Cup and its status as the sporting pinnacle of the circuit, accessibility remained a thread running through the experience. Admission was free, ensuring that the excitement of world-class competition reached far beyond traditional equestrian circles. Families mixed with tourists and seasoned fans in the grandstands, creating an atmosphere that was celebratory as well as competitive.
For visitors, the appeal of Rabat was its seamless blend of sport and culture. A morning spent wandering the Hassan Tower or the blue-and-white lanes of the Oudayas Kasbah could be followed by an afternoon at Dar Es Salam, watching national teams contest one of the FEI calendar’s most intense competitions. As the sun dipped toward the Atlantic, the city offered another side of its identity, with oceanfront dining that contrasted the day’s sporting tension with leisurely Moroccan hospitality.
This harmony of high-level sport, cultural discovery, and public accessibility sets Rabat apart. While the capital’s role in the Tour is first and foremost about hosting the Nations Cup, its ability to invite spectators of all backgrounds into the experience ensured that the event felt like part of the city’s civic rhythm rather than an isolated competition.
Rabat’s Role in the Tour
If Tétouan set the stage with its Andalusian charm, Rabat elevated the sporting intensity of the circuit. The Nations Cup brought national teams into head-to-head battle, while the Dar Es Salam complex reminded the equestrian world that Morocco’s ambitions extend beyond hosting: They are about education, accessibility, and the preservation of cultural traditions.
For visitors, Rabat delivered a double discovery; from monuments that spoke of dynastic power and arenas that reflected Morocco’s equestrian vision for the future. For Morocco, it underscored the capital’s ability to embrace sport not as an exclusive stage for professionals but as a festival where everyone, from schoolchildren to top-level international riders, has a role to play.
Rabat sets a high bar as the second leg of the Moroccan Royal Tour, with its blend of prestige and inclusivity; positioning itself firmly as the sporting heart of the circuit. Next, the Tour moves to its spectacular finale in El Jadida, where the Salon du Cheval transforms the coastal city into Africa’s biggest equestrian festival. From breed shows to the Grand Prix of His Majesty, El Jadida is where Morocco’s equestrian heritage and sporting ambition unite on their grandest stage. Click here to learn more.
