Wilton Porter, mounted on Paloubet, is presented with a $3,000 bonus from Jennifer Ward on behalf of SSG Gloves for wearing SSG 'Digitals' on his way to victory in the $25,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round I at the 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL. Photo by Sportfot

January 9, 2014 – Wellington, FL – The first bonus of the year offered in the SSG Gloves 'Go Clean for the Green' promotion was awarded to Wilton Porter. The 19-year-old from Dallas, TX, was awarded a $3,000 bonus for wearing SSG 'Digital' Riding Gloves on his way to victory in the first $25,000 Ruby et Violet WEF Challenge Cup of the 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival, held January 9 in Wellington, FL.

Nine entries from the 46-horse starting field found their way to a clear round including Porter, who had flown in the night before from Nashville where he is a freshman at Vanderbilt University. Fifth to return for the jump-off, the young student posted a blazing fast time of 36.05 seconds to take over the lead riding Paloubet, his partner of the past three seasons. An agonizing few minutes passed for Porter as he watched such veterans as Mclain Ward and Charlie Jacobs attempt to better his time but, in the end, it held up to give Porter his first win of the 2014 season and the third major victory of his burgeoning career.

For wearing SSG 'Digital' riding gloves on his way to victory, Porter claimed a $3,000 bonus in the SSG Gloves 'Go Clean for the Green' promotion, which rewards riders for their loyalty to the SSG brand.

"This is awesome; I don't even know what I am going to do with it!" said Porter upon being presented with $3,000 in bonus money. "I'm so excited!

"These are the best gloves I've ever had!" continued Porter, who has been a previous winner in the SSG Gloves 'Go Clean for the Green' promotion in the Junior Jumper and Amateur-Owner Jumper divisions. "I think the promotion is a great idea. It definitely helps the brand, too, because a lot people now wear SSG Gloves just because of this bonus."

SSG Gloves will continue to offer a $3,000 bonus in each of the weekly WEF Challenge Cup Series events, as well as a $1,000 bonus in the High Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic and the High Junior Jumper Classic competitions. If the winning rider in any of these three competitions is wearing SSG 'Digital' style gloves with the SSG horse head logo clearly visible, they will be presented with bonus money during the awards presentation. A total of $60,000 in bonus money is on offer from SSG Gloves at the 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival.

SSG 'Digital' riding gloves are available for purchase at numerous Wellington locations, including Tackeria, as well as on-site at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival show grounds at various retailers including Running Fox and Beval Saddlery.

Please refer to the 2014 FTI Consulting WEF Prize List for complete details. For further information, contact promotion manager Jennifer Ward, Starting Gate Communications Inc., at cell: 613 292-5439 or jward@startinggate.ca.