June 22, 2006 – Monte Carlo, Monaco – The American riders enjoyed great success on the opening day of Jumping International de Monte-Carlo running June 22 to 24. In the 1.25m Invitational Class, Anna McWane was by far the fastest with Rusi. In the 1.35m Invitational Class, Alexa Weeks and Riane were the winning team while McWane placed third, this time riding Vincent.

As the temperature soared to 30 degrees, the top ranked female rider in the world, Jessica Kürten of Ireland, scorched to a win in the Prix de la Féderation Équestre de la Principauté de Monaco. With Castle Forbes Maike, she was almost a full second faster than runner-up Gregory Wathelet (BEL) and Ceasar. New York’s Georgina Bloomberg placed third with Nadia.

Top name riders also finished at the front of the class in the JustWorld International Prix, Presented by Chesapeake Petroleum. Princess Caroline of Hannover was in attendance to witness Otto Becker's (GER) win with Limbo. Runner-up was Belgian rider and JustWorld International Rider Representative Ludo Philippaerts with Up to Date Miltoo while Jean-Claude Vangeenberghe (UKR), also a JustWorld Rep, was third with Osta Rugs Coronation.

Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) and Cantate Z finished in front of Jessica Kürten with Castle Forbes Libertina and Otto Becker aboard Grandilot in the Prix Bitburger. “My horses are in great shape, and the conditions here are terrific," raved Jessica Kürten after enjoying top placings in all of the day's major events. "In my opinion, the Riviera Tour, starting with Saint-Tropez and then Cannes and Monaco, really has a future."

This evening, the JustWorld International Charity Gala takes place at the Monte-Carlo Beach “Deck”. Along with music and dancing, a live auction will be held. Among the items offered up for bid are one of six limited reproductions of Jan Tops’ Olympic Gold Medal winning horse Top Gun, a Piaget necklace, and two clinics with international jumping riders.

For more information on the Global Champions Tour,
visit www.globalchampionstour.com
For more information on CSI Monaco,
visit www.monacohorseshow.com
For more information on CN and CN WorldWide:
www.cn.ca and www.cnworldwide.biz
For more information on JustWorld International:
www.justworldinternational.org
For the complete results of CSI Monaco,
visit www.scg-nl.nl