Held this year under the theme “The Gallop of the Stars… Memory of Our Successes”, and attended by a host of personalities from the worlds of sport and art, the evening honored champions who, through their dedication and courage, proudly uphold the colors of Morocco, while also paying vibrant tribute to craftsmen and champions who have shaped the country’s equestrian history through ancestral know how that reflects a perfect alliance between tradition and excellence.
In a speech delivered on this occasion, Badr Fakir, founding president of the Morocco Equestrian Trophy, stated that beyond performance, this ceremony celebrates a collective memory shaped by those whose commitment has given the horse a place of honor in the soul of the Kingdom of Morocco.
“Tonight, we honor those who, through their dedication, courage and performance, proudly carry the colors of the Kingdom and embody Moroccan excellence and the universal values of work, resilience and respect for the sport,” Mr. Fakir underlined.
“This Gallop of the Stars, tonight, is one of transmission and fidelity to our history, and of confidence in our future,” he added.
This year, 48 champions competed across ten categories. They were judged by a jury chaired by Azzedine Msefer, a former rider, enthusiast and leading figure in equestrian sports governance, alongside Abdellah Harith, Moqaddem of traditional equestrian arts and a major figure of Tbourida, and renowned Moroccan actress Asmaa Khamlichi, an avid equestrian.
In the “As” category, the trophy was awarded to maréchal des logis chef Brahim Charnane, a rider specializing in dressage B, while in the “Elite” category, Abdeslam Bennani Smires, senior, was crowned. The “Baroud” trophy went to Moqaddem Badr Zrizae in the youth Tbourida category, and the “Team” trophy was claimed by Club L’Etrier de Casablanca in show jumping.
The other winners of the evening included Maria Mernissi in the “Talent” category under 18, the seven year old dressage horse Ladid in the “Faras” category, Ethan Oury Tordjman in Minime B show jumping, winner of the “Espoir” trophy, the duo “Farfadets malicieux” from the Cercle Amical Français de Casablanca, winners of the “Equi’Perf” trophy, the duo “Etoile filante” from the Royal Complex of Equestrian Sports Dar Es Salam in the “Equi’Spirit” category, and the team “Gang Style” from RCSE Dar Es Salam, winners of the “Equi’Harmony” trophy.
The evening featured a guest of honor, namely Tim Price, the renowned New Zealand eventing rider, who was honored by the Moroccan equestrian community.
Recognition played a central role in the program, through distinctions and tributes paid to several figures who have left a lasting mark on Moroccan equestrian sport.
A vibrant tribute was paid to three Olympic horses that represented Morocco in several international competitions before retiring, namely Istanbull VH Ooievaarshof, Ugolino du Clos and USA de Riverland, as well as to Sorba, ridden by Moqaddem Abdelghani Benkheda from the Béni Mellal Khenifra region, winner of the Grand Prix of His Majesty King Mohammed VI in Tbourida during the 16th Salon du Cheval in El Jadida.
The ceremony also honored show jumping riders who distinguished themselves through their performances, including Abdeslam Bennani Smires, winner of the HRH Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan Prize at CSI4W 1.55 m, the flagship event of the first stage of the Morocco Royal Tour held in Tetouan, Isai Abittan, who claimed his first international victory by winning the CSI1 Grand Prix at 1.40 m in Tetouan during the Morocco Royal Tour 2025, and Hicham Er Radi, winner of the CSI1* Grand Prix in El Jadida as part of the Morocco Royal Tour 2025. Another rider honored on this occasion was Youssef Salmeron, winner of the CSI2* Grand Prix at the Longines Global Champions Tour in Rabat.
Moroccan riders who defended the national colors at the 2025 Special Olympics MENA Regional Games in Al Ain, namely Wassim Boukhari, Adam Belhaddi, Jyhane Jeddou and Yousra Eddebagh, as well as Club L’Etrier de Casablanca, winner of the 2025 Throne Cup in show jumping, the fourth in its history, were also honored during the evening.
This edition also recognized the role of artists and craftsmen linked to the equestrian world, including Hassan “Ziati” Hammoussa, artist and obstacle designer since 1986, Ali El Haddadi, an armorer specializing in the traditional manufacture of the “Moukehla”, the ceremonial firearm used in Tbourida, and Mohammed Mouafik, a craftsman specializing in traditional saddlery, in addition to a posthumous tribute to Ba Thami, an emblematic figure of Tbourida competitions affectionately known as “Moul Al Goulla”, who passed away in July 2025.
Editorial team/le7tv