May 2026 Newsletter

CHASING THE MAGIC: FROM THE GIZA PLATEAU TO DOUBLING GAP RANCH

At first glance, you would guess JP, along with his son and co-owner Grant, would look best sitting on a Quarter Horse and moving a herd of cattle. You wouldn’t be wrong. “We had Quarter Horses with our ranch business back in Kansas and continue to have a smaller Hereford cow/calf operation in Pennsylvania,” states JP. “My wife Teresa’s family has been farming there for 150 years. Grant has had a passion with horses for his whole life. We started with foundation Quarter Horses in 2014 at Doubling Gap, and we still train reining horses, but the Arabian horse is really where we are breeders.” To understand how Arabians, specifically Straight Egyptians, are woven into the Bilbrey family history, you need to go back a few decades.

SCOTTSDALE 2026

2026 marked the 71st year of consecutive competition. This year was no different, as thousands of horses and exhibitors showcased their talents while spectators watched. The exhibit halls were full of more than 200 vendors. In addition, the show commission made intentional changes, elevating the show to another level. They invited different disciplines into each evening session of the Equidome, hosted the West Coast Sport Horse Championships, and brought new exhibition classes to the final evening performance – all to bring people together in celebration of the Arabian horse.

BEYOND THE WIN: THE STORY OF EDDIE MCCAIN AND NAT KING COLE CA+/

There are moments in the Arabian horse industry that remind us why we fell in love with the breed in the first place. Then there are partnerships that go even further, redefining what that love looks like in motion. The story of Eddie McCain and Nat King Cole CA+/ is one of those rare partnerships, where success is not simply measured in wins, but in connection, trust, and the people who helped shape the journey along the way.

GCAT ABU DHABI

The Global Champions Arabians Tour (GCAT) opened its 2026 season January 15 – 18 in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, and the first stop on the international tour. Once again, it brought together the best of the best from around the world, setting the tone for the season ahead. As the opening stage, Abu Dhabi remains a key and much-anticipated stop on the Tour, consistently a favorite among participants.

GCAT DOHA

The second leg of the GCAT Tour in the Middle East brought participants to Doha on February 4 – 7. Qatar, the birthplace of GCAT, recently hosted the Supremes this past December.

WHERE LEGACY MEETS THE GLOBAL STAGE

GCAT is renowned for hosting its events in premier destination venues around the world, locations that offer not only exceptional facilities, but an atmosphere that reflects the prestige of the Arabian horse. Scottsdale is a natural fit. Held at West World of Scottsdale, with Thompson Peak rising in the background, the setting is both iconic and unmistakably Arizona. A true Western town, Scottsdale offers an unmatched blend of luxury resorts, world-class golf courses, premier shopping, and fine dining, all while remaining deeply rooted in the rich history of the Arabian horse in the Valley. It is a destination that delivers both atmosphere and legacy, making it an ideal stage for the GCAT Americas Tour.

AN INTERVIEW WITH EXITING DIRECTOR OF GCAT AMERICAS TARYL O'SHEA

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WHERE LEGACY BREATHES: VARIAN EQUESTRIAN CENTER WELCOMES WENDY GRIFFITH POTTS

For Wendy, the pull was immediate and undeniable. “I got there and just thought—this is it. This is where I’m supposed to be,” she recalls. “I felt it in my bones.” After a long drive, she arrived, laid down in the small apartment on the property, and something shifted. “I never do that,” she says. “But I laid down, and it was like… I was home.”