Nick Skelton claimed the $6,000 SSG Riding Gloves bonus from Lynda James of SSG (left) and Jennifer Ward of Starting Gate Communications (right) after winning the $32,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round II on January 19 at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL. Photo by Sportfot

January 19, 2012 – Wellington, FL – Nick Skelton won a $6,000 bonus from SSG Riding Gloves for winning the $32,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round II while wearing SSG ‘Digital’ riding gloves on Thursday, January 19, at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida.

Now in it’s second year, the SSG Riding Gloves ‘Go Clean for the Green’ promotion offers a bonus of $3,000 each week to the winner of the WEF Challenge Series if they compete wearing SSG ‘Digital’ riding gloves.  As last week’s winner, McLain Ward, was not wearing the gloves, the bonus money doubled to $6,000 for the second week of competition.

Taking home the bonus money was not an easy task for Skelton, however.  The British show jumping legend faced 17 other challengers in the jump-off.  As the sixth rider back for the jump-off, Skelton and Carlo 273 posted a clear round in a time of 38.39 seconds that could not be beat.  In addition to winning his share of the prize money, Skelton also collected the $6,000 bonus from SSG Riding Gloves.

“I’ve been wearing them a long time, all last season, and I didn’t win anything, but it’s finally paid off,” said Skelton.  “I actually really like the gloves, they have a good grip, especially when it’s raining or the horse is sweating.”

In the second year of its sponsorship promotion, SSG Riding Gloves is offering a $3,000 bonus each week of the WEF Challenge Cup Series.  For the weekly Junior Jumper High Classic and the weekly Amateur-Owner Jumper High Classic, a bonus of $1,000 is offered.  In the event that bonus money is not awarded, it carries forward to the next week.  To claim the bonus, riders must wear SSG ‘Digital’ Riding Gloves in the first round of competition and any subsequent jump-off.

SSG ‘Digital’ Riding Gloves are available for purchase at numerous Wellington locations, including Tackeria, as well as on-site at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival show grounds at Running Fox, Beval Saddlery, Hadfield’s and Jods.

Please refer to the 2012 WEF Prize List for complete details.  For further information, contact Jennifer Ward, Starting Gate Communications, at cell: 613 292-5439 or jward@startinggate.ca.