Ireland’s Richie Moloney clears the SSG Riding Gloves signature jump on his way to claiming an $8,000 bonus after winning the $75,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix at the 2012 Kentucky Horse Shows in Lexington, Kentucky. Photo by Rebecca Walton
Abigail McArdle riding Cosma 20 received her second bonus from Nicole Blackman in the SSG Riding Gloves ‘Go Clean for the Green’ promotion at the 2012 Kentucky Horse Shows in Lexington, Kentucky Photo by Rebecca Walton

May 20, 2012 – Lexington, KY – The luck of the Irish was with Richie Moloney as he claimed an $8,000 bonus in the SSG Riding Gloves ‘Go Clean for the Green’ promotion while winning the $75,000 CSI2* Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix on Saturday night, May 19, at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY.

In addition to winning the first international grand prix victory of his career, Ireland’s Moloney also claimed an $8,000 bonus for wearing SSG ‘Digital’ Riding Gloves.  Of the six riders that advanced to the jump-off, five were wearing ‘Digitals’ to be eligible for the $8,000 bonus.  In the end, Moloney’s time of 43.99 riding Slieveanorra gave him the win over Margie Engle of Wellington, FL, and Royce, who crossed the timers in 44.94 seconds.

“It is a really nice extra bonus for the riders,” said Moloney of the SSG Riding Gloves ‘Go Clean for the Green’ promotion.  “It was great to win the bonus, and since it had rolled over from the previous events, it was especially nice to win!”

SSG Riding Gloves is offering a $2,000 bonus in each of the grand prix events at this summer’s Kentucky Horse Shows.  Any bonus money not awarded is carried forward to the next event in the series.

In the weekly High Junior Jumper Classic, a $1,000 bonus is offered.  There was no roll-over this week, however, as Abigail McArdle claimed her second consecutive bonus check with Cosma 20, an eight-year-old Hannoverian mare.  For the second week in a row, McArdle of Barrington, IL, posted the only clear round to win the $10,000 Junior Jumper High Classic.

“I think this is a wonderful program; I am definitely all for it!” exclaimed McArdle, 17, who had also been a bonus winner at the 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL, where the ‘Go Clean for the Green’ promotion was first launched.  “It’s a great incentive for the riders.  I know I certainly was thinking that I wanted to win it again!”

The SSG Riding Gloves ‘Go Clean for the Green’ promotion, offering $30,000 in bonus money, will be offered throughout the 2012 Kentucky Horse Shows events held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky.  Riders wearing SSG ‘Digital’ Riding Gloves with the SSG horse head logo clearly visible during all rounds of competition in designated events are eligible for the bonus.

The following classes are still to come in the SSG Riding Gloves ‘Go Clean for the Green’ promotion for the 2012 Kentucky Horse Show season:

Summer Horse Show – July 25-29

Thursday, July 26 – $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic

Saturday, July 28 – $50,000 Kentucky Summer Grand Prix

Sunday, July 29 – Junior Jumper Classic

 

Summer Classic – August 1-5

Thursday, August 2 – $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic

Saturday, August 4 – $50,000 Rood & Riddle Grand Prix

Sunday, August 5 – Junior Jumper Classic

 

Kentucky Bluegrass Classic – August 15-19

Friday, August 17 – $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic

Sunday, August 19 – $50,000 Bluegrass Festival Grand Prix

Sunday, August 19 – Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic

 

Kentucky Hunter Jumper Horse Show – August 22-26

Friday, August 24 – $10,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic

Sunday, August 26 – $30,000 KHJA Grand Prix

Sunday, August 26 – Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic

For more information on the SSG Gloves ‘Go Clean for the Green’ promotion, please visit www.ssgridinggloves.com or contact promotion manager, Jennifer Ward of Starting Gate Communications at contactus@startinggate.ca.