Saudi Arabia, What Else?

Rabat, 29 September 2025 -The final chapter of the CSIO4* Nations Cup in Rabat delivered drama, suspense, and a familiar ending: Saudi Arabia once again reigned supreme. Under near-perfect conditions – particularly for the horses – the Saudi team clinched its second consecutive victory at the Morocco Royal Tour, proving once more that they are the ones to beat on the international stage.

Earlier in the week, Ramzy Al Duhami had remarked that he felt “at home” in Rabat. And by Sunday evening, his words rang truer than ever as Saudi Arabia stood atop the podium, flanked by Italy in second and Great Britain in third. Yet, while the final scoreboard might suggest a smooth ride, the truth is that victory was only sealed in the very last moments of this Nations Cup, presented by the Ministry of National Education, Preschool and Sports.

A Battle from Start to Finish

The first round set the tone for a tense afternoon. Saudi Arabia quickly asserted its dominance, with only Stanny Van Paesschen’s British squad managing to keep them in sight. Costly time penalties from Jane Annett and Joe Whitaker, however, ruled out a potential jump-off for the British side, while Italy remained just one fence behind in third.

At the lower end of the rankings, the fight to qualify for the second round was brutal. Ninth place changed hands repeatedly between Spain, France, Morocco, and Poland. Ultimately, Morocco missed out by a heartbreaking single point. Even a superb clear from Abdelkebir Ouaddar and Istanbull V.H. Ooievaarshof couldn’t save them, as they were just 0.08 seconds over the time allowed.

Leaders Pull Ahead

In the second round, the leading trio – Saudi Arabia, Italy, and Great Britain – pulled decisively away from the rest. France slipped irreparably down the table, while Spain’s Teresa Blázquez-Abascal produced one of only five double clears of the day with Nasa de Toxandria, a standout performance amid tough competition.

With a four-fault cushion, the Saudis still faced pressure as the final riders entered the arena. Italy’s hopes faded with four faults from Roberto Turchetto, and Joe Whitaker’s round gave the Saudis valuable breathing room. That left Abdullah Alsharbatly needing only a steady round to secure victory. He delivered in style: a flawless clear with Boeckmanns Lord Pezi Junior sealed Saudi Arabia’s back-to-back Nations Cup triumph.

Strategic Success and Future Goals

German coach David Will, who also tasted individual success at the Morocco Royal Tour, highlighted the strategic importance of this win:

“This victory is especially meaningful for us. The Tour marks the true launch of our World Cup and Nations Cup campaigns. With no major championships this year, we wanted to approach this seriously as a benchmark before the Middle East season. Our eyes are already set on the Asian Games and the World Championships in Aachen next year.”

Will praised the team’s form, noting that they finished the first round fault-free but were under pressure until the very end. “Nothing was secured until the last Italian rider – the penultimate competitor – had jumped,” he said. “The win only came in the final moments, which made it all the more thrilling.”

Team member Abdulrahman Alrajhi, fresh off his Grand Prix win on Friday, was equally elated:

“Last year, the team had already won here, and this year I had the chance to be part of it. It’s an incredible feeling. To compete alongside riders of this calibre, under David Will’s guidance, makes me truly proud.”

A Course Worthy of Champions

Anchor rider Abdullah Alsharbatly, who sealed the victory with the final clear, praised the technical challenge of Uliano Vezzani’s course:

“It was very demanding – just like last year – and the low number of clears shows how tough it was. The many palankas made it tricky, but the quality of the course was excellent. Uliano is, in my opinion, the best course designer in the world. He creates selective, challenging tracks without ever putting horses at risk. That balance is what sets him apart.”

“Feeling at Home” in Morocco

The Saudi riders’ affection for the Morocco Royal Tour was evident. Khaled Almobty, competing in Rabat for the third time, praised the event’s evolution:

“Everything is perfect here – the atmosphere, the warm welcome, the kindness of the people, and the technical level. Yes, we feel at home here. Next year, we’ll come ‘back home’ with the same ambitions.”

The message to European teams was clear: they will need to strengthen their line-ups if they hope to challenge the Saudis in 2026.

French Win Before the Curtain Falls

Before the team showdown, the morning session saw the final individual class: the SOREC Prize (1.45m with jump-off). The technically demanding course saw only six riders advance to the jump-off, where the competition intensified with each round.

In the end, France’s Cyril Bouvard and Gangster d’Eifel claimed victory, finishing 1.23 seconds ahead of Dutch rider Finn Boerekamp, with Mans Thijssen in third. It was a final flourish for France before the Tour moves south.

The Morocco Royal Tour now heads to El Jadida for its third and final stage – a fittingly sun-soaked conclusion to a spectacular series. But one thing is certain: Saudi Arabia’s dominance shows no signs of slowing down.

ph  © MRT/Morgan Froment

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