Lanaken (BEL), September 18, 2006 - The biggest winner of the Global Champions Tour 2006 is confirmed: Ludo Philippaerts, who collected 111,500 euros in total prize money with his spectacular victories in Monte-Carlo (MON) and Estoril (POR), cannot be caught when the final leg of the Tour is held on September 24 in Lanaken. Accordingly, the Belgian will earn a bonus of 250,000 euros. "I am getting so much response to this victory by lots of people. Our papers have been full of the news," says Philippaerts. "And of course it’s always great to win such an amount of money!"

In total, the Global Champions Tour, sponsored by CN and CN WorldWide, will pay bonuses of 600,000 euros to the eight best-placed riders. Although the winner is known, it is still to be seen who will take second through eighth on the rankings. All of the riders taking part in the Final at Lanaken have a chance to make it into the top eight. "It will be a very thrilling competition," predicts Philippaerts. "All of the riders will give it their best, especially Edwina Alexander who is in really good shape at the moment. Certainly she will try to move forward to the position of runner-up." But the 43-year-old also wants to play an important role on Sunday. Even though he has already topped the Tour, he will be saddling his best horse, the handsome grey stallion Parco, for the 150,000 euro Grand Prix. "For sure I will try to increase my overall prize money a little more."

The final of the Global Champions Tour will also mark the conclusion of two weeks of jumping at the Zangersheide Equestrian Weeks. During this time, the World Young Horse Championships and the European Open for Future Masters takes place on the premises of Léon Melchior. For more information, please visit: www.zangersheide.com.

2006 Global Champions Tour Ranking (After Fifth Leg at CSI Valkenswaard)

Rank - Prize money (€) - Rider (Country)
1. - 111.500 - Ludo Philippaerts (BEL)
2. - 57.500 - Thomas Frühmann (AUT)
3. - 55.000 - Leopold van Asten (NED)
4. - 50.000 - Norman Dello Joio (USA)
5. - 40.500 - Samantha McIntosh (BUL)
6. - 39.000 - Edwina Alexander (AUS)
7. - 33.000 - Michel Hecart (FRA)
8. - 31.000 - Francois Mathy (BEL)

For more information on the Global Champions Tour, visit www.globalchampionstour.com
For more information on sponsors CN and CN WorldWide, visit www.cn.ca and www.cnworldwide.biz
For more information on official charity partner, JustWorld International, please visit www.justworldinternational.org