Eurosport Events Launches the 2007 Global Champions Tour

Eurosport Events, a newly created entity of the Eurosport Group, and Global Champions Tour BV launched last weekend the equestrianism 2007 Global Champions Tour in Palm Beach (USA).

Gathering 8 of the world's most prestigious CSI-5* outdoor show jumping events into a same Championship, the Global Champions Tour is an innovative and prestigious competition. Taking place on 3 continents, it will provide all horse riding fans with the highest standards ever met for this sport.

The Tour opened in Wellington-Palm Beach, the heart of American show jumping, on 17 March and will then travel to Europe and South America where it will include some of the most beautiful places and biggest venues in the sport such as Cannes (FRA), Monte Carlo (MON), Estoril (POR), Sao Paulo (BRA), Valkenswaard (NED), Arezzo (ITA) and Athens (GRE).

The Tour will feature the world's leading riders in the world including Rodrigo Pessoa, Ludo Philippaerts, Ludger Beerbaum and Beezie Madden, who will compete for a total prize money of over 5 million $. Every event has a minimum prize money of 400.000€ including the 300.000€ Grand Prix of each event.

The 2007 Global Champions Tour started off last weekend on the East Coast of the United States of America. The CSI Wellington was a great success in terms of attendance, sporting show and media coverage. American rider McLain Ward sped to victory ahead of Frankie Chesler Ortiz (CAN) and Danielle Torano (USA).