First Champions of Global Champions Arabians Tour Americas Crowned in Scottsdale
Credit: Written by GCAT
The Global Champions Arabians Tour’s inaugural stage of the all-new Americas series shook up the big City Tent at WestWorld of Scottsdale, Arizona, bringing new energy and elevated style to the Arabian horse show scene.
With a nod to Western heritage and style, the arena came to life with performances from Native American hoop dancers, a Mariachi band and Folklorico performances, alongside a laser light show.
Held during the historic milestone 70th edition of the Scottsdale Show, GCAT attracted prominent Arabian horse industry figures from every continent to witness the first champions of the Americas series crowned.
Competition in Scottsdale was intense, with horses and handlers vying for a share of the show’s $270,000 prize money, and valuable points towards the overall ranking, which will see the Best Female, Best Male, Best Handler and Horse of the Tour crowned in the Las Vegas final this September. The Gold, Silver and Bronze champions from Scottsdale—18 in total—also secured their place at the World Arabian Horse Championship Supreme, which takes place in Doha, Qatar from 03 – 06 December 2025.
“We’ve been impressed by the calibre of horses showcased at this first stage of the Americas series, and the feedback from participants and spectators has been incredibly encouraging,” commented Sheikh Mohammed bin Nasser Al Thani, Deputy CEO of Global Champions Arabians Tour. “We extend our sincere gratitude to the Americas team for their dedication and hard work, which have made this inaugural stop on the Americas circuit a resounding success.”
The first gold title of the Americas series went to the Yearling Champion, Sedona AS, who took the top spot in Scottsdale for owner Arabian Soul Partners LTD. This refined bay filly sired by Dominic M won the qualifying class on 92.00 points. Silver went to Indira BF for Desert Sky Arabians LLC, who placed third in Tuesday’s qualifier with a score of 91.10. MD Zarah, owned and bred by Manuel Durini finished in bronze medal position, following a win in her section of the qualifying classes on Tuesday.
Calais SVB lifted gold in the Yearling Colt Championships for Silverbox Southwest LLC, convincing all but one judge following a class win of 91.80 points. Silver went to the winner of the section A qualifier, Om El Elyrus, who scored 92.00 in his class for owner Om El Arab LLC. Aria Benito took the bronze for Aria Prestige Holdings LLC following a third place in Tuesday’s qualifier.
Top honours in the Junior Fillies Championship went to Bella Z, another of prolific sire Dominic M’s offspring, who scored 93.40 in her class for owners PCF Arabians LLC, Cindy McGown, Sam Peacemaker and Duke & Renae Mendel. With the highest score of the show and the highest championship points, she moves to the top of the female rankings. Marlayna PCF claimed silver for Orrion Farms LLC, while Bionca LMA, winner of the section a qualifier on 93.20 took bronze for Harry and Lisa Markley.
As for the Junior Colts, Stella Bella Arabians LLC claimed gold with homebred Rhaphael SBA, a 3-year-old colt by Qatar-based stallion Rhan Al Shahania. Nader Al Bidayer, also sired by Rhan Al Shahania and bred by Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud Al Qasimi took silver for Cindy McGown and Danubius Arabians SRL. Bronze went to Wall Street B for owners Midwest Station 1 Inc.
The ethereal Exxaltress clinched gold in the Senior Mare Championships for Orrion Farms LLC. Sired by Excalibur EA, this 9-year-old scored 92.60 points to take second place in the previous day’s qualifier. Om El Belasina secured silver for Om El Arab LLC, and Katie McGregor walked away with a well-earned bronze title with the homebred Vixxen K.
In the final showdown of GCAT Scottsdale, Tasheem PMA was crowned gold stallion champion with eight votes for gold and moves to the top of the Overall Male rankings. Owned by Theresa Lungwitz, this 4-year-old stallion by Taj Raheem scored 93.20 in his class, exuding Arabian type. Royal Atticus took the silver title for Royal Arabians LLC, with Om El Benicio following in bronze for Diane Brown.
With Andy Selman topping the handler rankings on 60 points after this first stage, the Americas Tour now heads to Miami Beach, Florida, for the second stop in this five-part series from 17-19 April 2025.
Meanwhile, the Europe & Middle East Series moves on to Muscat, Oman, from 06-08 March for the third stop, which takes place in the leafy parklands of Al Bustan Palace, set between the Hajar Mountains and the Arabian Sea.
About the Global Champions Arabians Tour
Inaugurated in 2024, the Global Champions Arabians Tour is an exclusive Arabian Horse Championship series, taking place in state-of-the-art venues in iconic locations worldwide and offers the highest prize money in the sport's history. Its mission is to promote the uniqueness of Purebred Arabian Horses through an international platform, fostering a legacy of excellence, transparency, fairness and integrity.
For all media enquiries, please contact:
Hannah McCabe
PR & Communications Manager
Email: hannah@gcarabianstour.com
Telephone: +971 (0)52 6100577
