Sarah Hubbard riding Athina Z is presented with a $1,000 bonus from SSG Gloves "Go Clean for the Green" promotion manager Jennifer Ward and ringmaster Gustavo Murcia for wearing SSG 'Digitals' on her way to victory in the $15,000 High Amateur-Owner Classic held February 8 at the 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL. Photo by Sportfot

February 9, 2014 – Wellington, FL – Sarah Hubbard and Chloe D. Reid both earned $1,000 bonuses in the SSG Gloves "Go Clean for the Green" incentive promotion during week five of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida. SSG Gloves is offering a total of $60,000 in bonus money over the 12-week circuit to reward riders for their loyalty to the SSG Gloves brand.

On Saturday, Hubbard of Cornwall, Connecticut, topped a 44-horse starting field to win the $15,000 High Amateur-Owner Classic riding Athina Z. One of five riders to return for the jump-off, Hubbard posted another clear round in a time of 39.89 seconds to take the win. As Hubbard was wearing SSG 'Digital' riding gloves on her way to victory, she was awarded a $1,000 bonus from SSG Gloves.

"It's exciting! I normally don't wear gloves but then I heard about the promotion, and now I wear them every time I go in," said Hubbard, 20, who is contesting the High Amateur-Owner division for the second year at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival.

Hubbard, who trains with Olympic team gold medalist Peter Wylde, said of her mount, "She's definitely a mare! She likes things her way, and she gets mad sometimes at me when I make mistakes because she knows what she's supposed to do. She wants to win."

While Hubbard claimed her victory riding Athina Z, it was Athena who carried Reid to the win in the $10,000 High Junior Jumper Classic held Sunday morning, February 9. A total of six clear rounds were produced from the 38 entries that attempted the track set by 2012 London Olympic course designer Bob Ellis. As the last to go, Reid knew that no one had produced a clean round over the shortened jump-off track. A slow and steady clear round netted her the win, while her SSG 'Digital' riding gloves netted her a $1,000 bonus.

"Going last in the jump-off, I knew that all I had to do was be clean," said Reid who has been partnered with Athena since last fall. "It's somewhat of an advantage, but it's also nerve wracking when all you have to do is go clean. She handled it amazing, I am so happy with her."

Chloe D. Reid claimed her second bonus of the year from SSG Gloves after winning the $10,000 Junior Jumper Classic on February 9 riding Athena. Presenting on behalf of SSG Gloves is Jennifer Ward with ringmaster Gustavo Murcia. Photo by Sportfot

When asked what she was going to do with her bonus money, the 17-year-old from Washington, D.C., did not hesitate.

"Buy more gloves! These are so lucky!" exclaimed Reid, who also won a $1,000 SSG bonus two weeks earlier after winning the $10,000 High Junior Jumper Classic with King of Hearts. "They are amazing, I love these gloves. They stand up so nicely to the weather, especially because it's so hot here, and they never get slippery. And they are really grippy!"

Earlier in the week, 2012 Olympic team gold medalist Ben Maher of Great Britain was awarded a $3,000 bonus for wearing SSG 'Digitals' on his way to victory in the $125,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round V.

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, Hadfield's, 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.