The 2025 Valkenswaard edition of the Global Champions Arabians Tour (GCAT) came to a spectacular close on Sunday evening, with Berlin MP (SMA Magic One x Baraka MP), owned by Hleetan Qatar Stud and bred by Mindy Peters, taking home the prestigious Senior Male Gold Championship title. Glenn Schoukens handled the 2018 born grey stallion, delivering a performance that captivated judges and spectators alike.
The sixth stage of the Tour in the Europe and the Middle East series unfolded at the renowned Longines Tops International Arena in Valkenswaard. Over three days, more than 100 of the world’s finest Arabian horses competed in a stylish venue full of international guests, breeders, sponsors, influencers, VIPs, and fans.
With a total prize purse of €1.41 million, of which €1.05 million was allocated to championship classes and €360,000 to qualifiers, Valkenswaard once again raised the bar, reinforcing GCAT’s status as the most prestigious and rewarding series in the history of Arabian horse sport.
Guests were treated to equestrian excellence, refined hospitality, and an immersive cultural and lifestyle experience. A vibrant shopping village displayed local and international brands, offering a range of delicacies, souvenirs, equestrian apparel, equipment, and GCAT merchandise.
GCAT Valkenswaard 2025 delivered a rich blend of sport and celebration. The first two days of qualifying classes led up to an extraordinary Championship day on Sunday evening, followed by a breathtaking closing show inspired by the Nederlands Dans Theater. The show brought together 100 dancers moving across mirrored surfaces in deep blue hues symbolising maritime history, erupting into vibrant tulip fields, traditional dances, and swirling colourful dust, set against symbolic windmills – a celebration of Dutch traditions.
“Valkenswaard continues to surprise and inspire,” said Bader M Al Darwish, CEO of the Global Champions Arabians Tour. “We witnessed world-class competition at the epicentre of equestrian sports in the Netherlands.”
Gold Champions Valkenswaard 2025
Veronica BV (AJ Sanad x Vilma BV) Yearling Filly Champion, bred by Bautista Vich Stud and owned by Al Shaqab, Member of Qatar Foundation, Qatar
SK Kayan (Alexxanderr x Dlal Almanayer) Yearling Colt Champion, bred by Abdulazez Mohammd A Almudimigh and owned by Aljumail Stud, Qatar
Shahalel al Shaqab (Na-mous al Shahania x Siwar al Shaqab) Junior Female Champion, bred and owned Al Shaqab, Member of Qatar Foundation, Qatar
D Borkan (FA el Rasheem x D Ajayeb) Junior Male Champion, bred and owned by Dubai Arabian Horse Stud, United Arab Emirates
Al Aryam Banafsaj (Dominic M x Al Aryam Basma) Senior Female Champion, bred by Al Aryam Arabians and owned by Ajman Stud – HH Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid al Nuaimi, United Arab Emirates
Berlin MP (SMA Magic One x Baraka MP) Senior Male Champion, bred by Mindy Peters and owned by Hleetan Qatar Stud, Qatar
After the Valkenswaard event, the GCAT rankings are as follows:
Top Female – Shahalel al Shaqab, 120 points
Top Male – Berlin MP, 104 points
Leading Handler – Glenn Schoukens, 307 points
The mare and stallion awards for the Valkenswaard stage were adorned with intricate crystal and sequin embroidery of tulips and traditional floral motifs in a palette of orange and blue, celebrating the beauty of the Netherlands and the excellence of the Arabian horse.
The Global Champions Arabians Tour extends its deepest gratitude to all sponsors, participants, and the local community for making the Valkenswaard stage an extraordinary success. This stage was proudly sponsored by Global Partners Qatar Airways, Doha Bank, Richard Mille, Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi, and United Development Company (UDC).
As the show advances, all eyes now turn to London, where the Global Champions Arabians Tour will make its much-anticipated UK debut on 14–17 August 2025. This four-day event will be hosted at the iconic Royal Hospital Chelsea, an extraordinary venue that pairs royal heritage with central London prestige. The London stage is set to be a standout event as the Tour continues its journey toward this season’s grand finale in Doha – the World Arabian Horse Championship Supreme on 3-6 December 2025.
For more information about the Global Champions Arabians Tour, follow us on social media at @arabianstour, visit gcarabianstour.com to stay updated with the latest news or or download the GCAT app, available on Apple and Android for real-time results and rankings.
About Global Champions Arabians Tour (GCAT)
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.
