Casablanca – The 17th edition of Salon du Cheval d’El Jadida is running from October 13-18, bringing together riders, artists, artisans, and equestrian enthusiasts for a celebration that extends well beyond the arena.
Horses remain at the heart of the event, but the program also explores their place in Moroccan heritage, international equestrian sports, and artistic expression.
From traditional performances to modern competitions, each section offers a different way to experience the world of horses.
Tbourida, the heart of Moroccan equestrian heritage
For many visitors, no trip to Salon du Cheval feels complete without watching Tbourida.
At Arena 1, the traditional Moroccan performance takes center stage as teams compete for the King Mohammed VI Grand Prix of Tbourida.
Eighteen “sorbas” (troupes), representing different regions of Morocco are competing throughout the event.
The performances showcase coordinated riding, traditional attires, and the precision required to execute the collective charge and synchronized gunfire that define Tbourida.
The finals are expected to take place today, October 17.
Rooted in Morocco’s equestrian heritage, Tbourida continues to draw audiences with its blend of horsemanship, discipline, and spectacle.
Speaking to Morocco World News (MWN), Tbourida rider Abdelhadi Helwa, representing the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra region and the Skhirat-Témara prefecture, reflected on his first participation in Salon du Cheval d’El Jadida.
He praised the event’s organization and its role in promoting Morocco’s equestrian heritage.
For Helwa, taking part offered an opportunity to represent his region while helping keep the tradition alive. He stressed the importance of encouraging younger generations to embrace Tbourida and carry it forward.
“We encourage the younger generation to preserve this heritage,” he told MWN.
Tent pegging puts precision to the test
Another equestrian discipline attracting attention at this year’s edition is tent pegging, a sport that tests a rider’s control, timing, and accuracy.
During a typical run, a rider guides a galloping horse while using a lance or sword to pick up or strike small targets, often wooden pegs placed on the ground.
The rider must judge the distance and speed carefully, making each attempt a test of coordination between horse and rider.
The discipline has historical links to cavalry training, where mounted soldiers practised striking targets while riding at speed.
Tent pegging has in more recent years developed into a competitive sport with its own rules and events, giving audiences another perspective on the skill and concentration required in equestrian sports.
Show jumping brings international competition
Show jumping adds another dimension to the program, with riders and horses tackling a course of obstacles while aiming to complete it with as few faults as possible.
The Morocco Royal Tour has also arrived in El Jadida for its third and final leg, following competitions in Tetouan and Rabat.
Running from October 15-18 alongside Salon du Cheval, this year’s edition marks a milestone with the introduction of CSI5*-W competition in the city.
The opening day on October 15 featured two competitions. In the CSI2* 1.25-meter event, Morocco’s Farid Amnzar took first place, while Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Al-Sharbatly won the CSI5*-W 1.45-meter event.
The tour concludes on October 18 with the King Mohammed VI Grand Prix, a 1.60-meter FEI World Cup event, alongside the CSI2* Grand Prix at 1.45 meters.
Photography, sculpture, and mosaic art
Think Salon du Cheval is all about competitions? Think again. Art and craftsmanship have their own place at the exhibition, where artists and artisans draw inspiration from the horse in different ways.
The Arab Horse Photography Exhibition offers visitors a chance to appreciate the beauty and character of Arab horses through photography.
The Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Prize for Arab Equestrian Photography also brings attention to photographers who capture these animals in different settings.
With this year’s winners announced, the prize’s exhibition gives visitors an opportunity to discover the winning photographs and the stories they tell through light, movement, and composition.
Elsewhere, artists and artisans present sculptures, mosaic work, and other creations inspired by horses.
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Where equestrian traditions meet cultures
These displays show how the animal continues to influence artistic expression, from traditional craftsmanship to contemporary interpretations.
Salon du Cheval d’El Jadida brings together more than competitions. By placing Moroccan traditions alongside international equestrian disciplines and art, the event creates space for different cultures and creative practices to meet.
Whether visitors come for the excitement of Tbourida, the precision of show jumping, the challenge of tent pegging, or the artistic displays, the exhibition offers a closer look at the many ways horses continue to shape sporting and cultural life.
