The sound of galloping horses and rifle fire is returning to Rabat this week as top Tbourida teams compete for the Hassan II Trophy. The event is taking place from 15 to 21 June at the Dar es Salaam equestrian complex and serves as the Moroccan championship for traditional equestrian arts.
Tbourida, also known as Fantasia, is one of Morocco’s best-known traditions. In 2021, it was added to UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The sport combines horsemanship, teamwork and perfectly timed rifle fire.
A total of 24 teams, known as sorbas, qualified for this year’s championship after regional and interregional competitions organised by the FRMSE and SOREC.
The senior category features 18 teams of 15 riders aged 17 and above. Eight teams qualified from northern Morocco, eight from the central region and two from the south.
The junior category includes six teams made up of riders aged between 12 and 16. Three teams qualified from the north, two from the centre and one from the south.
Qualifying rounds run until 18 June. The top 10 senior teams and top five junior teams will move on to the final on 20 and 21 June.
Teams are scored out of 100 points.
The first part of the competition, called Hadda, is worth 25 points. Judges look at the appearance and organisation of the team, as well as the condition and training of the horses. Traditional clothing and saddles are also assessed.
The remaining 75 points come from the charge and firing sequence, known as Laab and Baroud. Riders must perform a coordinated charge before firing their rifles at exactly the same moment.
The final gunshot, known as the Talka or Takhrija, is the most important part of the performance. Teams lose points for poor timing, incomplete volleys or dropped rifles.
To ensure fairness, judges’ scores that differ significantly from the overall average are automatically removed before the final score is calculated.
This year’s competition offers a total prize fund of 1.8 million dirhams.
The winning senior team will receive 500,000 dirhams. Second and third-place teams will earn 300,000 and 200,000 dirhams respectively. Prize money will be awarded all the way down to 18th place.
In the junior category, the winners will receive 100,000 dirhams.
Entry to the Dar Es Salam grandstands is free, giving spectators the chance to watch the country’s best Tbourida teams compete for one of the sport’s biggest prizes.
