Katherine Dinan, pictured on Sandro, is presented with a $3,000 bonus from Jennifer Ward representing SSG Riding Gloves after winning the $15,000 High Amateur-Owner Classic on February 11 at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL. Photo by Sportfot

February 12, 2012 – Wellington, FL – Having already claimed a $2,000 bonus during week two, Katherine Dinan returned to the International Arena in week five to win the $15,000 High Amateur-Owner Classic and a $3,000 bonus from SSG Riding Gloves on Saturday, February 11, at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida.

Course designer Guilherme Jorge of Brazil whittled a large starting field of 48 entries down to seven for the jump-off.  Dinan was again clear in a time of 33.04 seconds to take the win over Meagan Nusz, who had stopped the clock in 33.20 seconds.  Dinan was aboard Sandro, a 13-year-old bay Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Grant Road Partners.

Dinan, 18, only started wearing SSG ‘Digital’ Riding Gloves the morning of her win in the $15,000 High Amateur-Owner Classic during week two of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival.

“Clearly since I have been wearing them they have proven to definitely be lucky, plus I love them,” said Dinan of Wellington, Florida.  “They were soaking wet from the rain we had on Friday, but they dried perfectly in time for Saturday’s class.  Even if they weren’t dry, I was going to wear them anyway.  I am very superstitious.”

In only a few short weeks, Dinan has now claimed a total of $5,000 in bonus money from SSG Riding Gloves.

“I can’t thank SSG enough,” said Dinan.  “Their support is very special and it means a lot to the riders.  The bonus money is a great prize.”

Earlier in the week, Kent Farrington won a $3,000 bonus from SSG Riding Gloves after topping 107 entries to win the $32,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round V on Thursday, February 9.  In the $10,000 Griffis Group High Junior Jumper Classic on February 11, winner Elizabeth Patz was not wearing SSG Riding Gloves and missed out on a $2,000 bonus.  That money will now carry forward to week six, when a $3,000 bonus will be on offer.

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.  In the weekly Junior Jumper High Classic and Amateur-Owner Jumper High Classic, a bonus of $1,000 is offered.  Any bonus money not awarded is carried forward to the next week.

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 Saddlery, Ann K Hubbard’s Tack Shop 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.