Jennifer Ward presents a $1,000 bonus on behalf of SSG Gloves to Christina Firestone following her win riding Arwen in the $15,000 High Amateur-Owner Classic on March 1 at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL. Photo by Sportfot

March 2, 2014 – Wellington, FL – Christina Firestone and Meredith Darst both won $1,000 bonuses as part of the SSG Gloves "Go Clean for the Green" promotion running throughout the 12-week FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida.

Firestone, 18, of Wellington, Florida, topped a starting field of 41, including a 17-horse jump-off, to claim victory in Week VIII's $15,000 High Amateur-Owner Classic held March 1. For wearing SSG 'Digital' riding gloves on her way to victory with Arwen, Firestone was awarded a $1,000 bonus in recognition of her loyalty to SSG Gloves.

"I am beyond happy right now," said Firestone who has been partnered with Arwen for approximately two years. "My horse jumped amazing; I couldn't have asked for a better round. I've been working my way up, and this feels like a big accomplishment with her."

As for her SSG Gloves, Firestone noted, "I love the gloves. I've been wearing them for as long as I can remember. I have just always worn them. They are super comfortable, and I've never gotten a blister wearing them."

Sunday morning's $10,000 High Junior Jumper Classic featured 38 entries, with only five jumping clear to move forward to the jump-off. Meredith Darst came out on top, posting a second clear round in a time of 40.71 seconds to take the win over Chloe D. Reid, who had stopped the clock in 41.39 seconds riding Windbreaker. The win was even more impressive given that Darst, 16, has only been riding Zenith Dance since the beginning of this year.

"I just started riding him at the beginning of circuit, and I've been getting to know him," said Darst of Lebanon, Ohio. "He is super careful, easy and quite fast."

Meredith Darst wore SSG 'Digital' riding gloves on her way to victory in the $10,000 High Junior Jumper Classic during Week VIII of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival to win a $1,000 bonus from SSG Gloves in appreciation of her loyalty. Presenting are SSG Gloves representative Jennifer Ward and ringmaster Gustavo Murcia. Photo by Sportfot

In recognition of her loyalty to the SSG Gloves brand, Darst was awarded a $1,000 bonus from the Canadian riding gloves manufacturer. While many riders are encouraged to try the SSG 'Digital' gloves as a result of the "Go Clean for the Green" promotion, Darst was already a fan.

"I've just been wearing them because I like the gloves," explained Darst. "I like the grip and they're comfortable."

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.