Nick Skelton of Great Britain has now won $12,000 in bonus money as part of the SSG Riding Gloves ‘Go Clean for the Green’ promotion at the 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival.  Presenting to Skelton, pictured aboard Big Star, are Jennifer Ward representing SSG Riding Gloves and ringmaster Cliff Haines. Photo by Sportfot

March 22, 2012 – Wellington, FL – Nick Skelton scored again in the SSG Riding Gloves ‘Go Clean for the Green’ promotion, winning another $3,000 to bring his overall total to $12,000 in bonus money at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida. 

Having already claimed two victories in the weekly WEF Challenge Cup Series, Skelton posted his third win in the $30,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round XI on Thursday, March 22.  A total of 11 horses advanced to the jump-off over the course set by Alan Wade, with Ben Maher setting the pace as the first rider back.  The young Brit turned in a time of 35.39 seconds riding Tripple X III, leaving the rest of the field to chase him.  Maher’s time held until the final horse on course, when Skelton guided Big Star home in a time of 33.77 seconds.  Both British team veterans were wearing SSG ‘Digital’ riding gloves, as was third place finisher Laura Kraut, but it was Skelton who pocked the $3,000 bonus.

“It’s a good idea,” said Skelton of the SSG Riding Gloves ‘Go Clean for the Green’ promotion.  “It’s been very beneficial to me this trip.”

During week two of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival, Skelton claimed a double bonus of $6,000, as the bonus money had not been awarded on opening week.  He then returned to the winner’s circle in week three to claim another $3,000 in bonus money.  With his victory in week 11, Skelton has now won a total of $12,000 in bonus money from SSG Riding Gloves.

In addition to being a benefactor of the sponsorship promotion, which is now in its second year, Skelton has become a fan of SSG ‘Digital’ riding gloves.

“I bought them last year, and I do actually wear them in the other classes,” said Skelton.  “I’ve never ridden in gloves ever, in all my life, but now I do when it’s raining.  The rubber reins get a bit slippery and I wear those gloves.”

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.  For week 11, the bonus in the High Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic has doubled to $2,000.

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.