March 3, 2006 – Wellington, Florida – A welcome party was held Thursday, March 2, at Vendetta Farm to launch the Global Champions Tour, sponsored by CN Worldwide, an innovative new show jumping series that crosses continents to link together six of the most prestigious competitions in the world.

More than 200 guests gathered at Vendetta Farm, home to Victoria McCullough. McCullough is the sponsor of the 50,000 Euro 'Jump for a Just World' Grand Prix, Presented by Chesapeake Petroleum held Friday, March 3, during the CSI5* Wellington, Florida, as well as a Rider Ambassador for JustWorld International, the official charity of the Global Champions Tour.

McCullough welcomed the crowd, which included numerous Olympians, by expressing her personal excitement for the Global Champions Tour.

"It is with great pleasure that we welcome the Global Champions Tour into our sport, as it will bring together people from all around the world to compete with enthusiasm," said McCullough. "To be able to participate in this tour is a dream come true for a competitor like myself as it will promote friendships and an interchange between cultures, all while competing in a sport that we love."

Olympic Gold Medallist Jan Tops of the Netherlands, innovator of the Global Champions Tour, then explained his motivation, which is to increase the profile of show jumping to become similar to that of tennis and golf. He also spoke of the importance of presenting all six events in a television-friendly package, and, much to the delight of the riders, announced that .6 million Euros in cash bonuses would be awarded to the top placed competitors in the Global Champions Tour, with 250,000 Euros alone being awarded to the overall winner.

Gene Mische, President of the CSI5* Wellington organizing committee, expressed his pride in hosting the first event of the Global Champions Tour. As the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington has grown to become a premiere winter show jumping circuit, it has also become extremely attractive to competitors from around the world, drawing more and more international entries each year. In recognition of his efforts to tirelessly improve the sport, a commissioned painting by artist Rodney Skidmore was presented to Mische.

JustWorld International was introduced as the official charity of the Global Champions Tour, and Executive Director Jessica Newman, herself a former grand prix competitor, thanked the organizers for choosing JustWorld, recognizing that is presented an incredible opportunity for members of the equestrian community to be made aware of the important work the not-for-profit organization was doing in developing countries on behalf of underprivileged children.

The first event in the Global Champions Tour will take place on Sunday, March 5, with the 150,000 Euro CN Worldwide Florida Open Grand Prix, Presented by Cosequin. The top two finishers in the Grand Prix will automatically be invited to compete in the next leg of the Global Champions Tour held at CSI5* Cannes, FRA, from June 8-11. The additional four member events, all at a five-star level, are Monaco, MON, held June 22-24, Estoril, POR, held July 21-23 and Valkenswaard, NED, held August 17-20. The sixth and final event in the 2006 Global Champions Tour will take place at Lanaken, BEL, from September 15-17.

In total, the Global Champions Tour offers more than 2.5 million Euros in combined prize money as well as unprecedented cash bonuses of 600,000 Euros to the top competitors in the point standings at the Tour’s conclusion. For more information, please visit www.globalchampionstour.com.