David McPherson and Silver Spring on their way to claiming victory, and a $3,000 bonus from SSG Riding Gloves, in the $32,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round IX at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL.. Photo by Sportfot
Amelia McArdle riding Nicholas is presented with a $2,000 bonus from Jennifer Ward representing SSG Riding Gloves and ringmaster Cliff Haines after winning the $15,000 SJHOF High Amateur-Owner Classic during week nine of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo by Sportfot

March 11, 2012 – Wellington, FL – David McPherson and Amelia McArdle were winners of SSG Riding Gloves bonus money during week nine of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida.

In Thursday’s $32,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round IX, a total of 99 horses entered the International Arena in the hopes of claiming top prize.  At the end of a 10-horse jump-off, David McPherson emerged victorious with a clear round in a time of 39.56 seconds riding Silver Springs to hold off British teammate Scott Brash, who was clear in 39.74 seconds riding Sanctos van het Gravenhof.  As McPherson was wearing SSG ‘Digital’ Riding Gloves with the horse head logo clearly visible, he was awarded a bonus of $3,000.

“I think the promotion is a fabulous idea, just excellent!” said McPherson, who bought SSG ‘Digitals’ when he first arrived at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival five weeks ago, having heard about fellow British rider Nick Skelton winning $9,000 in bonus money during weeks two and three of the 12-week circuit.  “I have never known another company to do a bonus like this, but I wish they would!”

In the $15,000 SJHOF High Amateur-Owner Classic, Amelia McArdle riding Nicholas claimed victory in a two-horse jump-off.  As McArdle was wearing her SSG ‘Digital’ riding gloves, the 22-year-old claimed a $2,000 cash bonus.

“I heard about the promotion the first week we were down here,” said McArdle of Barrington, IL.  “My sister Abigail won the first High Junior Jumper Classic and she wasn’t wearing the gloves, so we went out and bought the gloves for both my sister and I so that wouldn’t happen again.  You feel pretty silly if you are competing and not wearing them and you miss that chance to win the extra money.”

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 Cup Series.  In the weekly High Junior Jumper Classic and High Amateur-Owner Jumper 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.