Ben Maher riding Urico is presented with a $3,000 bonus from SSG Gloves President Ed James, promotion manager Jennifer Ward, and ringmaster Gustavo Murcia for wearing SSG 'Digitals' on his way to victory in the $125,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round V on February 6 at the 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL. Photo by Sportfot

February 6, 2014 – Wellington, FL – Olympic gold medalist Ben Maher of Great Britain rode away $3,000 richer thanks to the SSG Gloves "Go Clean for the Promotion". Maher wore SSG 'Digital' riding gloves on his way to victory in the $125,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Series Round V on February 6 at the 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL, to claim a $3,000 bonus in from the Canadian manufacturer.

A colossal starting field of 116 horses attempted to pass the first-round test set by 2012 London Olympic course designer Bob Ellis. Of those, 30 succeeded to set the stage for a dramatic jump-off. Jumping near the bottom of the order, Maher knew what he had to do, guiding Jane Clark's Urico through the twisting track and home in a time of 43.44 seconds to take victory.

Maher rode to the win wearing SSG 'Digital' style riding gloves and, in recognition of his loyalty to the SSG Gloves brand, was presented with a bonus in the amount of $3,000.

"I've been coming here for four years and I'm always losing my gloves so I'm always running over and buying new sets," said Maher, who has been coming to the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival for the same amount of time that SSG Gloves has been offering its "Go Clean for the Green" incentive promotion. "I've probably spent $3,000 in buying them but never managed to win the bonus!"

Maher continued, "It's a great sponsorship and a great way to promote the gloves; they are so comfortable. It is fantastic! It is the only place in the world that does a bonus prize like that. The opportunity to try to win it every week is great. I'll enjoy this one for now, though, as it took me four years to win it!"

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 Beval Saddlery, Hadfields, Jods and Running Fox.

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.