June 7, 2006 – Cannes, France – Following a successful opening competition in the 'Sunshine State' of Florida, the Global Champions Tour, sponsored by CN WorldWide, lands on European soil in June. The second leg of the richest series in show jumping will take place during CSI Cannes from June 8-10, which this year is celebrating its 25th anniversary.

Top riders like Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA), Jessica Kürten (IRL), Beat Mändli (SUI), Otto Becker (GER), Thomas Frühmann (AUT) and Nick Skelton (GBR) will ride for victory and the 320 000 Euro in prize money. The 150 000 Euro Grand Prix is the GCT qualifying event and will be broadcast live on Sport+. The top finishers in this class collect money for the GCT Ranking (see current rankings below), putting them into contention to win a bonus of 600 000 Euro during the last leg of the Tour, CSI Lanaken (BEL) in September.

Jan Tops, the initiator of the Global Champions Tour, commented, “It is possible for good riders to earn up to as much as 400 000 or 500 000 Euro on the Tour. This is a great opportunity and we hope to increase this amount in the future.”

The two best riders in the Grand Prix of Cannes are automatically qualified for the third competition of the Global Champions Tour, CSI Monte Carlo (MON) from June 22-24. Samantha McIntosh (BUL) qualified for Cannes by finishing second p in the CN WorldWide Florida Open Grand Prix at CSI Wellington and earning 30 000 Euro towards her ranking. She certainly is one of the favourites in Cannes, as are the French riders who won the Samsung Super League Nations' Cup in Rome (ITA). Several top American riders have travelled to Europe to participate in this intercontinental Tour, including those who arrived early for the start of the Riviera Tour at the Côte d’Azur. Michael Morrissey, winner of the GLD Lines Grand Prix in Saint-Tropez, and his fellow countrywomen Candice King, Laura Kraut, Kim Prince, Georgina Bloomberg and Cayce Harrison will all do battle for victory.

Top sport is guaranteed during the CSI Cannes, famous for its glamour and atmosphere. Located in a city best known for its annual film festival attracting the world's biggest movie, the Cannes horse show is also one of the few events where the riders are able to enjoy some free time. Casinos, culture, exclusive shopping, private yachts, hot clubs – Cannes is one of the most famous cities in the world for good reason. Even during the CSI Cannes, excitement is guaranteed - gamblers can place a bet on their favourite in the Grand Prix of Cannes by going to www.unibet.com.

---

Rank Prize money (€)/Rider (Country)/Horse
1. 50.000,- Norman Dello Joio (USA) Glasgow
2. 30.000,- Samantha McIntosh (BUL) Loxley
3. 20.000,- Kimberly Prince (USA) Couletto K James
4. 11.500,- Eliza Shuford (USA) Larentino
5. 9.500,- Tim Gredley (GBR) Omelli
6. 5.000,- Beezie Madden (USA) Judgement
7. 5.000,- Kent Farrington (USA) Madison
8. 2.500,- Leopold Van Asten (NED) VDL Groep Fleche Rouge

More information on the GCT on www.globalchampionstour.com

More information on CN and CN WorldWide: www.cn.ca and www.cnworldwide.biz