June 9, 2006 – Cannes, France – The second leg of the Global Champions Tour (GCT) set for Saturday, June 10, at CSI Cannes promises to be thrilling. Such famous names as Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) and Ludo Philippaerts (BEL) scored victories early in the week at the CSI**** event, proving they are in top form heading into the main event.

Also in good shape are the riders already sitting at the top of the GCT rankings. In Thursday evening's class, Samantha McIntosh, who qualified for Cannes with a second place finish in the GCT kick-off event in Wellington (USA), placed seventh with a double clear round riding her 11-year-old gelding, Loxley. "He is jumping super at the moment," declared the German-based rider who represents Bulgaria. So the goal for Saturday is to qualify for the next leg of the GCT in Monaco? "Yes, that is the plan," laughs McIntosh. "That would be great."

Anita Ernesaks, Global Managing Director of CN WorldWide, title sponsor of the Global Champions Tour, is excited about the GCT's European debut. "With the one event having already taken place in the U.S. earlier this year and now the tournaments in Europe this summer, the Global Champions Tour is a very good fit for us," says Ernesaks. "We are very focused on the transatlantic and we want to increase awareness in Europe." As CN WorldWide only became active in Europe one year ago, Ernesaks sees another parallel with the new Tour. "Just like the GCT, we are expanding globally, so we have something in common by being innovative."

The Prix E. Leclerc Le Cannet Rocheville will be the featured class Friday night. Most of the horses jumping in Saturday's Grand Prix will enjoy a day of rest on Friday, such as VDL Groep Fleche Rouge, who finished fifth on Thursday with Leopold Van Asten. “Fleche Rouge was jumping very well yesterday, I was really pleased with her performance. I will take VDL Groep Porto Rico on Friday night," said the Dutch rider. And who will win Saturday's Grand Prix, the second leg of the GCT? "It is very difficult to pick a winner," says van Asten. “There are a lot of riders who are capable of winning. Rodrigo Pessoa was exceptional last night, but Nick Skelton also is in good shape."