After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 16th edition of the Morocco Equestrian Award, “the Run of the Stars,” is set to return on January 7, 2023, under the theme “Tbourida,” also known as fantasia. The event aims to highlight the equestrian performance as a central part of the Moroccan cultural heritage.

‘Tbourida’ Art at the Heart of Morocco Equestrian Award

Rabat – After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 16th edition of the Morocco Equestrian Award, “the Run of the Stars,” is set to return on January 7, 2023, under the theme “Tbourida,” also known as fantasia. The event aims to highlight the equestrian performance as a central part of the Moroccan cultural heritage.

The organizers of the award on Thursday held a press conference at the Mohammed V Theater in Rabat to shed light on the competition, as well as emphasize the importance of fantasia, which they said is deeply rooted in Moroccan culture.

Morocco Equestrian Award’s press conference

The event was an opportunity for the organizers to once again celebrate the inclusion of Morocco’s Tbourida into UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, which took place on December 15, 2021, two years after Morocco submitted its application.

Tbourida is an ancient, traditional equestrian art that dates back to the sixteenth century. It is usually performed during celebrations, notably weddings.

Speaking at the conference, Director General of Morocco’s Royal Federation for Equestrian Sports (FRMSE) Badre Fakir said that the award seeks to celebrate and honor the best equestrians and horses in Morocco during the year 2022.

Director General of Morocco’s Royal Federation for Equestrian Sports (FRMSE) Badre Fakir speaking at the press conference

Fakir added that the 16th edition of the award introduces a new concept, as the organizers sought to “give breath” to the award and make it better than the previous editions. The award will feature a total of 10 categories, with the jury naming one winner in each category.

The jury will have to determine the best equestrians among 53 participating champions, from 50 different disciplines.

Fakir introduced the jury of the award, which consists of Moroccan actress and Tbourida champion Halima Bahraoui, former Moroccan football player Aziz Bouderbala, and president of the jury Lieutenant colonel and former equestrian Hassane Bzzou.

Bahraoui, who made a name for herself as a prominent female equestrian in Morocco, touched on the issue of women’s underrepresentation in Tbourida, which is overwhelmingly dominated by men.

Moroccan actress Halima Bahraoui speaking at the conference, alongside Moroccan equestrian El Ghali Boukaa (left) and Hassane Bzzou (right)

The Moroccan actress said she has trained over 600 female equestrians in a bid to encourage women to partake in the sport, which she described as an “integral part” of Morocco’s history and culture.

For his part, Bouderbala said he hopes that the award will serve as a tool to unite and bring people together, arguing that sports should foster and promote “values of tolerance, coexistence, solidarity, and competitiveness.”

The Moroccan footballer gave the example of the Qatar World Cup, noting how it served to bring together people from different countries, societies, and religions.

Also present at the press conference was 16-year-old Moroccan equestrian Jad Guerraoui, who is competing in the category “Talent.”

Moroccan equestrian Jad Guerraoui

In an interview with Morocco World News, Guerraoui expressed his excitement at taking part in the competition, six months after he clinched the silver medal at the Youth Equestrian Games in Germany. “This year, particularly, was a good year for me,” he said.

Talking about his early beginnings in the sport, Guerraoui said: “I began horse riding when I was young … When I was born, I was already on a horse,” explaining that it was “natural” for him to practice the sport since both his parents were horse riders themselves.