Morocco Royal Tour: A double for Simon Delestre in Tétouan
Tétouan, Friday, October 2, 2026 – The second day of competition at the Morocco Royal Tour delivered some top-class sport in the arena of the Royal Guard in Tétouan. The highlight of Friday’s programme, the CSI4*-W 1.45m speed class – Royal Armed Forces Prize, a qualifier for Sunday’s Grand Prix, brought together 50 horse-and-rider combinations.
Simon Delestre wins the Royal Armed Forces Prize
France’s Simon Delestre, always a formidable contender in speed classes, once again gave his rivals no chance. Riding Oh Sissi, a mare who has only just turned 10, he claimed victory in 66.81 seconds. He finished ahead of Colombia’s Santiago Diaz Ortega with Jump For Joy (67.23) and Ireland’s Niamh McEvoy with Jargon DN (67.29).
Simon Delestre: “I’m delighted with this victory. Oh Sissi belongs to one of my students, and we have only competed together at a few shows. She is a very modern, fast mare with excellent technique, and I really believe she is destined for the highest level. I loved riding this course. Grégory Bodo always designs courses that are technical while remaining fair to the horses. I love competing here in Morocco; the quality of the facilities and the way the horses are welcomed and cared for really put this tour on another level.”
Grégory Bodo: “The aim of this class was to design a course that would allow the horses to get into their stride. This qualifier was set at 1.45m, which is relatively low for a four-star qualifier, where the height is usually 1.50m. I’m pleased with the outcome because we had 16 clear rounds and all the horses jumped very well. The course combined the spirit of a speed class, with different options for the riders to choose from, with technical challenges, including a few particularly tricky fences.”
Sakia El Hamra Prize goes to France’s Simon Delestre
Earlier in the morning, Delestre had already had the French national anthem ringing out after claiming victory with Olga van de Kruishoeve. In the CSI4*-W 1.40m – Sakia El Hamra Prize, a two-phase speed class, he finished ahead of Morocco’s Majid Djaidi with Ideale l’Herminiere. Belgium’s Jérôme Guéry completed the podium with Hottonie de Kreisker.
Florent Jeannin wins the Green March Prize
Following the CSI4*-W classes, it was time for the CSI2* riders to take to the arena for the Green March Prize, a 1.35m speed class and qualifier for Sunday’s Grand Prix. Among the 75 horse-and-rider combinations entered, France’s Florent Jeannin came out on top with Chica de Bourguignon Z. Together, they completed the course in 62.29 seconds, narrowly beating Belgium’s Virginie Thonon and Just The Way (62.67). France’s Laura Klein finished third with Girocco de Jarsay (63.58).
Mohammed Al Ahrach rounds off the day with victory in the Zouada Prize
In the final class of the day, the CSI2* 1.30m – Zouada Prize, Morocco’s national anthem rang out thanks to Mohammed Al Ahrach, who claimed victory with Havane Danfer (55.32). Belgium’s Inaya Paelinck with Bam’ S Girl Z (55.93) and Morocco’s Mohammed Amine El Omari with Holann du Vimage (56.92) completed the podium.
SATURDAY OCTOBER 3 PROGRAMME
11:30 – GUERGARAT PRIZE – CSI2* – 1.35m
14:30 – TANGER MED PRIZE – CSI2* – 1.40m
17:00 – MAROC VERT PRIZE – CSI4*-W – 1.45m
19:00 – FÊTE DE L’UNITÉ PRIZE – CSI4*-W – 1.50m
The Morocco Royal Tour will continue to build towards Sunday’s CSI4*-W Grand Prix of Tétouan, the sporting highlight of this opening leg of the Tour.