Global Champions Tour Writes Showjumping History in Cannes

Global Champions Tour Writes Showjumping History in Cannes

CANNES, France, June 17/PRNewswire/ -- During the second event of the Global Champions Tour, presented by CN
WorldWide and CN, showjumping history was written at the French Riviera.
There was an exceptional field of competitors, with 17 riders out of the top
20 world ranking list present. Gregory Whatelet (UKR) also gained his first
ever win in a 5 star Grand Prix, Eurosport broadcasted the event live and the
new modus of a prize giving ceremony brought the sport to a whole new level.
Showjumping at its finest was shown to over 59 countries worldwide.

Runner up Jessica Kurten: "It is a big moment for me since it is my first
time on the podium of the Global Champions Tour. I have been successful in
the tour last year but was not with the top three. It feels wonderful to have
beaten the Weltmeister! It is also quite exceptional the amount of SMS
reactions I have received from people who watched it on Eurosport and were
fascinated about the showjumping broadcast. I think it is a very exciting
start of the Global Champions Tour in Europe. As I love the sunshine there is
no way I am going to miss Monte Carlo and Estoril."

Third placed Jos Lansink: "I am very happy with this result. This is
only the second outdoor show with Cumano after Saint Tropez last week. With
second to go in the jump off and with not the fastest horse, I was happy to
stay clear. Finishing third overall is great."

Winner Gregory Wathelet said he was afraid of all the combinations in the
jump off because of the level of his opponents. "It was super sport and it
feels great to have won a 5 star Grand Prix. My next goal is the European
Championships in Mannheim, after which I hope to keep the horse till the
Olympics next year. Competing in Monte Carlo is not definite yet, but I will
for sure be with the GCT again in Estoril."

Anita Ernesaks, Global Managing Director of CN WorldWide: "It was a very
exciting evening. Being in the transport business we know it takes a team
effort and a precisely executed plan to define success. Tonight we have seen
three exceptional teams. CN WorldWide is honoured to be the title sponsor of
the Global Champions Tour."

Jan Tops, Founder of the Global Champions Tour: "Tonight we had a perfect
scene. The sport could not have been better. It came across very good on
television. I think this GCT event was the best one we had so far." Show
organiser Francois Bourey congratulated Jan Tops with the new modus for the
prize giving ceremony. "I think it is a very good way to show our sport on
television."

44 combinations started in the "Jaeger leCoultre Grand Prix de Cannes".
The best 18 combination came back for the second round, among which were 2
combinations with 8 faults, one combination with 5 faults, 10 with just 4
faults and 5 combinations with a clear round. In the second round a total of
seven combinations stayed clear, but only 4 combinations had a double clear
round and therefore advanced to the jump off.

Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) was first to go with Rufus and had unfortunately two
down. Jos Lansink (BEL) was second to go with Al Kaheel Cavalor Cumano and
stayed clear in 42.18 seconds. Jessica Kurten (IRL) and Castle Forbes
Libertina were faster and clear in 39.64 seconds although she "put the brakes
on a bit." Jessica said: "Since Gregory is in such exceptional form I knew he
would beat me even if I took one stride less to the last jump. I am very
happy with the result of my calculated risk."

Last to go Gregory Wathelet (UKR) had a fast round with Lantinus 3 and
took more then two seconds of Jessica's time. He finished in 37.04 seconds
and won 100.000 Euros.

For more results and information about the Global Champions Tour please
visit www.globalchampionstour.com

Further information: www.cnworldwide.com, www.cn.ca and www.eurosport.com

Source: Global Champions Tour

Media contact: Susanne Scheepers, Global Champions Tour, susanne@csivalkenswaard.com, +31-(0)40-2068400

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