GAT Brazil 2025 - A tour to remember

Global Amateur Tour
Sep 3
4 min read

What a fortnight it has been in São Paulo! The Global Amateur Tour returned to Brazil for another spectacular competition edition in 2025, and from the very first day, it was clear this tour would be one for the memory books.

Meet the Chef d’Equipes & Hosts

Guiding our riders in Brazil were two outstanding Chef d’Equipes:

Lucy Olphert, GAT co-founder and World Cup showjumper, whose passion and vision continue to drive this tour forward.

Stephen Dingwall, accomplished Australian rider, trainer, and coach with over 25 years of international experience. Stephen’s wisdom, energy, and sense of humour quickly made him a cornerstone of the group.

Alongside them, our Brazilian hosts ensured everything ran seamlessly:

Alexandra Dattelkremer, GAT co-founder, whose vision brought the Brazil tour to life, together with his son Nico, a top young showjumper in Brazil.

Márcia Heloisa Stroebel, whose dedication, hospitality, and warmth gave the tour its special family feel.

Together, this leadership team created the perfect blend of expertise, organisation, and community.

A Truly Global Team

This year’s GAT Brazil brought together riders from Canada, Australia, Bermuda, the United Kingdom, South Africa, and Germany. Each nation added its own flavour of camaraderie and style, and the mix of cultures made the experience even richer, proof of the truly global spirit behind GAT.

Arrival in Brazil

We touched down in São Paulo full of anticipation. Ahead lay a week of world-class sport, training, and cultural discovery, all running alongside the prestigious Longines CSI-W 4*. For many of our riders, this would be their first taste of international competition at this level, a true leap of faith.

Speed-Dating with Horses

The first few days were a whirlwind. Eight riders trialled more than 25 horses across a range of spectacular venues, from jungle-fringed stables to full-scale country club setups.

Partnerships were forged, skills sharpened, and riders learned the art of “speed-dating” with horses, finding trust and connection in record time.

We are deeply grateful to the generous Brazilian owners who provided such a high calibre of horses and made this experience possible.

Training & Early Success

Before the international competition even began, riders were lucky enough to take part in a national show, the perfect warm-up for what was to come. This gave everyone a chance to get into the rhythm of Brazilian competition, test new partnerships, and shake off the nerves. It was here that South Africa’s Zara Pappalardo shone, riding her way onto the podium with a 3rd place finish in her category.

The early outings were invaluable, setting the stage for what would soon become one of the most exciting competition experiences our riders have ever faced.

Because GAT is always about more than sport, the weekend wrapped up with an international wine and food tasting contest, a fierce battle of bottles, bragging rights, and plenty of belly laughs.

Competition Highlights

The opening round of the international was nothing short of breathtaking. Held indoors in one of the most impressive settings we’ve witnessed, the atmosphere was electric: bright lights, booming music, TV cameras, and the very best riders in South America in action. For many of our team, stepping into that ring was as daunting as it was exhilarating, and they handled the challenge beautifully.

Across both qualifiers, our riders rose to the occasion and delivered some incredible performances with final results as follows:

1.10m / 1.15m Amateur Division - Alex McMartin (Bermuda) & Zeus, Best Placed Overall Foreign Rider
1.10m / 1.15m Children’s Division - Annabel Noakes-Dobson (South Africa) & Brutus, Best Placed Overall Foreign Rider
1.20m / 1.25m Junior Championships - Sienna Holdsworth Rose (Australia) & Balouin, 3rd Place Overall, 4th in Individual Final, Best Placed Overall Foreign Rider
1.20m / 1.25m Masters Division Abby Bardgett (Bermuda), Best Placed Foreign Rider
1.20m / 1.25m Children’s Division Mia Lerchl (Germany), Best Placed Foreign Rider

Particularly inspiring was Alex McMartin’s journey: originally signed up for the training option only, she bravely stepped into the competition ring with Zeus, and walked away Best Placed Foreign Combination in her division. A perfect example of the courage and growth that define GAT.

Learning from the Best

A major highlight was the masterclass with Brazilian-based South African showjumper Charlie Bays. Riders came away with new tools, renewed confidence, and huge smiles, proof that learning at the top level can be equal parts challenging and joyful.

Camaraderie & Celebration

From Mexican waves, dancing, and endless cheering at the ringside to shared dinners filled with laughter and the joy of celebrating every milestone together, the team spirit throughout GAT Brazil was truly off the charts, stitching friendships across continents into one united family.

Gratitude & Farewell

As the curtain fell, Chef d’Equipe Lucy Olphert summed it up best:

“From the laughter and dancing to the unforgettable rounds in the ring, each of you brought something special to this tour. The camaraderie and kindness are exactly what makes the Global Amateur Tour so unique. Once GAT family, always GAT family.”

A heartfelt thank you to our Brazilian hosts Alexandra, Nico, and Márcia for their tireless effort and warmth. You gave us memories that will last a lifetime.