Brandon to host Global Champions Arabians Tour

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This article was published 20/12/2024 (272 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

This summer, Brandon’s Keystone Centre will be the only Canadian stop for Arabian horses competing to win $2.7 million in prize money during the Global Champions Arabians Tour (GCAT).

The Wheat City will host the equestrian event on Aug. 8 and 9 next year, the fourth among five global destinations hosting the competition, including Arizona, Florida, Nevada in the United States and Brazil.

This is also the first time the global tour is being held in North and South America and will coincide with Canada’s National Arabian Championship Show — also scheduled to be held at the Keystone Centre from Aug. 7-16, 2025.

Connie Lawrence, the Keystone Centre’s CEO and general manager, said she is honoured to be hosting the GCAT.

“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,” Lawrence said in a news release.

During the GCAT competition, equestrian fans in the Wheat City will be able to see the horses go through their paces as they are judged based on five key criteria — type, head and neck, body, legs and movement — for which they will be awarded a maximum of 20 points for each.

During the tour, the top 10 female and male horses, and their handlers in each of the championships will be awarded points added towards an overall ranking.

The judgment criteria is similar to the ones used across the Middle East and Europe.

The circuit starts in February 2025 in Scottsdale, Ariz. In April, the horses will compete in Miami Beach, Fla., followed by São Paulo, Brazil, in July.

After the stop in Brandon, the finale is scheduled to be held three weeks later in Las Vegas, where the best female and male horse, best handler and overall best horse of the tour will be crowned.

Cindy McGown, CEO of GCAT Americas, said it’s important to showcase the competition on a larger scale.

“The Arabian horse has a deep-rooted legacy here in the Americas,” McGown stated in a news release.

“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.”

It’s not yet known how many Arabian horses will be competing in GCAT during the tour’s stop in Brandon, said Jared McKenzie, director of marketing and ticketing for the Keystone Centre.

“The numbers aren’t confirmed yet,” McKenzie said. “We’re anticipating around 30 horses.”

Canada’s National Arabian Championship, which will be running alongside GCAT, is returning to Brandon after a six-year absence.

It was previously known as the Canadian National Arabian and Half-Arabian Championship Horse Show.

The Keystone Centre held the equestrian event from 2011 to 2019, before the 2020 and 2021 events were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The show was booked for 2022, but was cancelled about a month before because of low projected participation. The 2023 and 2024 shows were held in Red Deer, Alta.

In the past, the National Arabian horse championships have drawn up to 800 horses, who are accompanied by teams of as many as five owners, handlers, groomers and support staff, according to the Keystone Centre’s website.

» The Brandon Sun