(L-R) Jeff Sloan, Murray Popplewell, Cindy McGowen, Faleh Al Nasr, Francisco Carrasco, Taryl O’Sheal, and Greg Knowles attend the Global Champions Arabians Tour celebration for the 2025 GCAT season launch at the New World Center in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by John Parra/Getty Images).
The Global Champions Arabians Tour (GCAT), a prestigious international competition showcasing the beauty and athleticism of Arabian horses, officially kicked off its 2025 season with an exclusive cocktail reception at the New World Center in Miami Beach on December 11, 2024. The event brought together equestrian leaders, enthusiasts, and distinguished guests to celebrate GCAT’s expansion into the Americas.
The GCAT Americas circuit is a premier series that elevates the status of Arabian horse competition worldwide. With a total prize pool of $2.675 million, the GCAT Americas solidifies its position as the most prestigious platform for Arabian horses. The event is expected to draw attention from top competitors and global audiences alike.
Faleh Al Nasr, Chairman of the Global Champions Arabians Tour, shared his excitement about the expansion: “The launch of the GCAT Americas marks an exciting milestone for the tour. It demonstrates the growing international recognition of Arabian horses and their exceptional qualities, and we’re proud to bring this celebration of excellence to new audiences.”
(L-R) Faleh Al Nasr, Founder of GCAT and Bader Al Darwish, CEO of the Global Champions Arabians Tour,
Cindy McGown, CEO of GCAT Americas, emphasized the importance of this event for the region: “The Arabian horse has a deep-rooted legacy here, and GCAT’s presence will elevate the respect and admiration these remarkable animals deserve. This tour brings communities together through a shared passion for these extraordinary horses and their incredible stories.”
Rhodri Williams speaks onstage during as the Global Champions Arabians Tour Ceremony at Global Champions Arabians tour
GCAT Americas 2025 Locations and Dates
The 2025 GCAT Americas circuit will debut across five iconic global locations:
Scottsdale, Arizona, USA – February 18-20, 2025
Miami Beach, Florida, USA – April 25-27, 2025
São Paulo, Brazil – July 9-10, 2025
Brandon, Manitoba, Canada – August 23-24, 2025
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA – September 27-29, 2025 (Final)
The Miami Beach event is slated for April 25-27, 2025, establishing Miami as a key equestrian destination. This marks the first time an event of this caliber connects Miami to the Middle East, attracting the same level of international attention as renowned cultural events like Art Basel and Formula 1.
A Fair and Transparent Judging System for GCAT
Maintaining the high standards set in Europe and the Middle East, the GCAT Americas will follow a transparent and innovative judging system that prioritizes fairness and integrity at every stage of the competition. Horses will be evaluated by a randomly selected panel of judges based on five key criteria: type, head and neck, body, legs, and movement, with each category receiving up to 20 points.
At each event, the top competitors—both male and female, as well as handlers—will accumulate points toward the overall rankings. At the season’s final event in Las Vegas, titles for Best Female, Best Male, Best Handler, and Horse of the Tour will be awarded.
World Arabian Horse Championship Supreme
In addition to the overall rankings, the gold, silver, and bronze champions from each event will be invited to compete in the World Arabian Horse Championship Supreme in Doha, Qatar in December 2025. This prestigious event will bring together the finest Arabian horses from around the globe, competing for the coveted Supreme World Champion title and a share of the €4 million prize pool.
(Photo by Global Champions Arabians Tour).
For more information about the Global Champions Arabians Tour, visit www.gcarabianstour.com.
