The Horse Exhibition in El Jadida: Moroccan Brilliance and International Shine in Equestrianism
The city of El Jadida hosted last week the major equestrian event in Morocco, represented by the sixteenth edition of the El Jadida Horse Exhibition, held under the high patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, under the theme: “Caring for Horses, a Link Connecting Equestrian Practices.”
This edition was characterized by a plethora of cultural, sporting, and artistic activities, reflecting the depth of Moroccan heritage in the field of equestrianism. Notably, participants from over 40 countries attended, with more than 700 riders and a thousand horses involved in various competitions.
A Majestic Royal Opening
His Royal Highness Crown Prince Moulay Hassan presided over the opening ceremony of the exhibition on Monday, September 29, 2025, at the Mohammed VI Exhibition Center in El Jadida. He toured various exhibition spaces, exploring the pavilions of supportive regions and institutions, and attended performances in traditional equestrian arts and Tbourida, as well as shows presented by Moroccan and foreign teams.
The exhibition, organized by the Horse Exhibition Association, serves as an annual platform for exchange and networking among professionals, breeders, and experts, highlighting the status of horses in Moroccan culture and the growing economic and social role of the equestrian industry.
Jumping Competitions: Moroccan Excellence and International Presence
The main arena witnessed the commencement of the Moroccan Royal Show Jumping Tour, in its third stage of the fourteenth edition, with around 150 riders and 300 horses from 18 countries participating.
The outcomes of the first day saw Moroccan rider Youssef Selmaron winning the “Ain Essaïss” award in the CSI1 category (1.25m), while French rider Jérémy Leroy took the lead in the CSI4-W category (1.40m) with the mare Falkira de Mormoulins.
The competitions are expected to culminate on Sunday with the Grand Prix of His Majesty King Mohammed VI in show jumping, classified as a four-star event, marking a highlight of the championship.
Tbourida: Crown for the Beni Mellal-Khenifra Group
In the Tbourida space, the competition for the Grand Prix of His Majesty King Mohammed VI for Tbourida captured attention, featuring 18 groups representing various regions of the Kingdom.
The competitions concluded with the group led by Abdelghani Benkhda from Beni Mellal-Khenifra winning the Grand Prix after scoring 480.95 points, ahead of Rachid Skass’s group from Casablanca-Settat and Mehdi Anjar’s group from Marrakech-Safi.
The victory ceremony was attended by Sharif Moulay Abdellah Al Alaoui, President of the Horse Exhibition Association, along with high-ranking government figures, symbolizing a celebration of Morocco’s rich heritage in traditional equestrian arts.
The Beauty of Purebred Arabian Horses: Global Distinction
Within the international competitions, the “Title Show” for purebred Arabian horses attracted visitors’ interest, showcasing a high level of quality and participation by prestigious horses.
The stallion EKS FARAJJ secured the gold title, followed by D SHARAR (silver) and LAZEEZ AL SHAHANIA (bronze).
This championship is exceptional, having been upgraded this year to the highest rating granted by the European Commission for Arabian Horse Organizations (ECAHO), positioning Morocco among the elite nations that organize events of this level alongside Germany, Qatar, and the UAE.
Other Competitions Highlighting Moroccan Talent
The event also featured competitive moments showcasing the diversity in the world of equestrianism, including:
- The Cup of Champions for Arabian-Barb horses, where Nisma Al-Aseel was crowned the female champion, and Marzouki the male champion.
- The Moroccan Cup for breeders of purebred Arabian horses, where “Bouznika” horses excelled in most categories (leading, Droua, Nihad), alongside the colt Manara Wahid.
- A young talents competition in painting and drawing, honoring students from Laayoune, El Jadida, and Fes, under the patronage of the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority.
- A poetry competition themed around horses, held for the first time, in which poets from various regions of the Kingdom participated with poems celebrating the horse’s significance in Moroccan culture.
Diverse Cultural and Artistic Activities
The edition also organized artistic equestrian evenings titled “Hoof Beats,” where Moroccan and foreign teams presented performances blending beauty, movement, and theatrical creativity.
A Children’s Interactive Space was also set up to teach them the values of horse care, alongside a regional pavilion showcasing each area’s heritage in equestrian arts and related crafts.
Morocco at the Forefront of the Global Equestrian Scene
Through the success of this edition, the El Jadida Horse Exhibition has solidified its position as one of the most significant equestrian events internationally, combining authenticity with innovation, and merging sport with art and culture.
This success confirms that Morocco not only celebrates its illustrious past in equestrianism but also aims to build a promising future for this noble sport by developing horse breeds, encouraging youth participation, and instilling its values in society.
