Brian Morton rode Spitfire to victory in the $12,500 MCL Grand Prix while wearing SSG ‘Digital’ Riding Gloves to earn a $1,000 bonus, presented by Chris Pack and Jane Tidball of Thunderbird Show Park. Photo by Totem Photographics
Sue MacIntosh riding Lexington receives a $500 bonus from SSG Riding Gloves after winning the $1,500 Cobblestone Farm 3’ Hunter Derby. Photo by Totem Photographics

July 4, 2011 – Langley, BC – Brian Morton of Langley, BC, and Sue MacIntosh of Vernon, BC, wore SSG ‘Digital’ Riding Gloves to win their share of bonus money in the ‘Go Clean for the Green’ promotion held Sunday, July 3, during the West Coast Classic show jumping tournament at Thunderbird Show Park in Langley, BC.
 
Morton emerged victorious in the $12,500 MCL Grand Prix riding Spitfire.  All five jump-off contenders were wearing SSG ‘Digital’ Riding Gloves, ensuring that the $1,000 bonus would be awarded, but Morton’s clear round in a time of 35.87 seconds riding Spitfire gave him the victory.  There was no doubt that Morton was the deserving winner, as he also placed second with Coupe Champagne after a clear jump-off performance in a time of 36.30 seconds.
 
“I usually ride without gloves, but I bought a pair because of the promotion,” explained Morton, 25, who lives only a few kilometers from Thunderbird Show Park.  “I actually wish I had gotten them sooner - I have not taken them off since!”
 
For winning while wearing SSG ‘Digitals,’ Morton was presented with a $1,000 bonus from SSG Riding Gloves.
 
Earlier in the day, Sue MacIntosh claimed her SSG Riding Gloves bonus after winning the $1,500 Cobblestone Farm 3’ Hunter Derby.  Of the 10 riders that returned for the second round, eight were wearing SSG ‘Digitals’ in the hopes of earning the $500 bonus.  However, none could touch MacIntosh, who posted the day’s highest scores riding Lexington to claim both the victory and the bonus money.
 
“I really like the way they are cooler than the older, traditional gloves I have been wearing for the past two years,” said MacIntosh of her new SSG ‘Digital’ Riding Gloves.
 
MacIntosh has been partnered with Lexington, now nine, since buying him as a four-year-old.  Riding for the past 25 years, MacIntosh trains with Lindy Townley.
 
Throughout the 2011 show season at Thunderbird Show Park, SSG Riding Gloves will award a total of $9,000 in bonus money through its ‘Go Clean for the Green’ promotion.  In six designated Grand Prix events, if the winning rider is wearing SSG ‘Digital’ Riding Gloves with the horse head logo clearly visible, they will be presented with a $1,000 cash bonus.  If the winning rider is not wearing SSG ‘Digital’ Riding Gloves, the bonus money will be carried forward to the next event, increasing from $1,000 to $2,000, etc.  The same formula applies to the six designated hunter events, where a $500 bonus is on offer.
 
The following events are still to come in the SSG ‘Go Clean for the Green’ promotion at Thunderbird Show Park:
 
Western Family Festival – July 6-10
$10,000 TD Bank Grand Prix
$1,500 Show Park 3’ Hunter Classic
 
CSI2* Fort Summer Classic – August 17-21
$50,000 Dianne Tidball Legacy Grand Prix
$2,500 USHJA 3’6” National Hunter Classic
 
CSI2*-W Fort Summer Festival - August 24-28
$30,000 CSI2* Luisa Cerano Classic
$5,000 Jump Canada 3’6” Hunter Classic
 
SSG ‘Digital’ Riding Gloves are available for purchase on-site at Thunderbird Show Park at the Thunderbird Tack Shop, the Dog and Pony Shop, Bates Tack Shop, Greenhawk Harness and Equestrian Supplies, and Equi-Products.
 
Please refer to the 2011 Thunderbird Show Park prize lists for complete class details.  For further information, contact Jennifer Ward, Starting Gate Communications, at cell: 613 292-5439 or jward@startinggate.ca.