Venezuela’s Andres Rodriguez claimed a $2,000 bonus from SSG Gloves after winning the $55,000 Fort Classic Grand Prix on August 17 during the CSI2* Fort Summer Classic at Thunderbird Show Park in Langley, BC. Photo by Totem Photographics
Megan Garcia was awarded a $1,000 bonus from SSG Gloves for wearing ‘Digitals’ on her way to victory in the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby on August 17 during the CSI2* Fort Summer Classic at Thunderbird Show Park in Langley, BC. Photo by Totem Photographics

August 20, 2013 – Langley, BC – Andres Rodriguez and Megan Garcia each claimed bonus money during the CSI2* Fort Summer Classic at Thunderbird Show Park in Langley, BC, thanks to the SSG ‘Go Clean for the Green’ promotion.

Now in its third year at Thunderbird Show Park, the ‘Go Clean for the Green’ promotion sees Canadian glove manufacturer SSG Gloves offering a total of $12,000 in bonus money to reward both hunter and jumper riders for their loyalty to the SSG brand.

Rodriguez rode away with a $2,000 bonus after wearing SSG ‘Digital’ gloves on his way to victory in the $55,000 CSI2* Fort Classic Grand Prix on Saturday, August 17.  The bonus money had doubled to $2,000 as the winner of the previous SSG-designated class, the $10,000 Facet Advisors Grand Prix held during the Western Family competition, had not been wearing gloves.

Rodriguez took the win aboard Caballito, topping a highly competitive field of 40 entries which saw 10 riders advance to the jump-off.  Rodriquez and his 11-year-old bay Oldenburg gelding were one of only three combinations to put in a double-clear performance, doing so in the fastest time to secure the win.

“The SSG ‘Go Clean for the Green’ promotion is a great marketing strategy and a great motivator for the athletes,” said Rodriguez, 29, who represented his native Venezuela at the World Cup Final and World Equestrian Games in 2010.  “I always like riding in my SSG ‘Digitals’.  I love the quality, and the fact that I can use my iPhone while wearing them!  I recommend them to everyone because of the great quality and fit.

“I really appreciate the SSG Gloves sponsorship, especially as it gives directly back to the equestrian community,” concluded Rodriguez.

Garcia of Beaverton, OR, rode away the big winner in the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby also held on Saturday, August 17.  She stylishly rode Rimpoche, an eight-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Laura King, to victory following two intense rounds of competition to claim the $1,000 bonus from SSG Gloves.  Garcia finished with a two-round total of 354 points, earning 167 points in the first round and the class high of 187 points in round two.  She and Rimpoche have been partnered together for the past four seasons.  Brian Morton, a previous winner in the SSG ‘Go Clean for the Green’ promotion, finished second aboard Sabina Fey with a total score of 340 points.

“I think the bonus money is a wonderful, ingenious, and great way to reward the riders,” said Garcia, who also earned a $500 bonus during the SSG Gloves ‘Roar for Four’ promotion in May at the Sonoma Horse Park in California.  “I’ve been riding in SSG gloves for years and absolutely love them.  They’re very comfortable, breathable and long-lasting.  You definitely get a lot of glove for the money!  Thank you, once again, to SSG Gloves.”

The final event in the 2013 SSG Riding Gloves ‘Go Clean for the Green’ promotion at Thunderbird Show Park is the CSI2*-W Fort Summer Festival, running August 21 through 25.  Riders will have two more chances to claim a $1,000 bonus from SSG Gloves in the $5,000 Fairweather Farms Child/Adult-Amateur Hunter Derby and the $100,000 CSI2* Canaccord Genuity World Cup Grand Prix, both running on Sunday, August 25.

SSG ‘Digital’ Riding Gloves are available for purchase on-site at Thunderbird Show Park at the Thunderbird Tack Shop, The Dog and Pony Shop, Equestrian Factory Outlet, Equi-Products, and Greenhawk Harness and Equestrian Supplies.

Please refer to the 2013 Thunderbird Show Park prize lists for complete class details.  For further information, contact SSG ‘Go Clean for the Green’ promotion manager Jennifer Ward, Starting Gate Communications Inc., at cell: 613 292-5439 or jward@startinggate.ca.