GCAT Americas Tour Coming to Brandon in 2025

The Keystone Centre is thrilled to announce that it will host the Global Champions Arabians Tour (GCAT) on August 8 and 9, 2025. This event marks the first time GCAT will be held in North & South America, with Brandon, the tour’s lone stop in Canada, joining an elite list of host cities including Miami, Scottsdale, and Las Vegas in the USA, and São Paulo in Brazil.

The two-day event will coincide with Canada’s National Arabian Championship show at the Keystone Centre, offering attendees an unparalleled experience of Arabian horse excellence in the Wheat City for the first time since 2019.

“We are honored to host the Global Champions Arabians Tour at the Keystone Centre,” said Connie Lawrence, Keystone Centre CEO & general manager. “This event provides a unique opportunity to showcase the capability of our team and facility, and positions Brandon as a premier destination for international events. We look forward to welcoming participants and spectators from around the world to experience the rich culture and hospitality our community offers.”

Adopting the same judging system used across the Middle East and Europe, each class and championship will feature horses evaluated by a randomly selected panel of judges, using five key criteria: type, head and neck, body, legs, and movement. At the final stage in Las Vegas, the Best Female, Best Male, Best Handler and Horse of the Tour will be crowned.

“The Arabian horse has a deep-rooted legacy here in the Americas,” said Cindy McGown, CEO of GCAT Americas, “and GCAT’s presence will only amplify the admiration and respect these remarkable animals deserve. This Tour is a unique opportunity to unite communities through the shared passion for these extraordinary horses and their incredible stories.”

The GCAT Americas circuit will commence in Scottsdale, Arizona, in February 2025, followed by events in Miami Beach, Florida; São Paulo, Brazil; Brandon, Manitoba; and concluding with the final in Las Vegas, Nevada, in September 2025.

“The launch of the Americas circuit represents a bold step forward for GCAT,” said Faleh Al Nasr, Chairman of the Global Champions Arabians Tour at the tour launch event in Miami Beach. “It’s a testament to the growing global appreciation for Arabian horses and their unique qualities. We are thrilled to bring this celebration of excellence to the Americas and build lasting connections across continents.”

The addition of the Global Champions Arabians Tour to the 2025 calendar highlights the Keystone Centre’s commitment to hosting world-class events. As the sole Canadian stop on the GCAT Americas circuit, the two-day competition will offer attendees an unmatched opportunity to experience Arabian horse excellence, solidifying the Keystone Centre’s reputation as a premier venue for international equestrian events.