Kent Farrington aboard Voyeur is presented with a $3,000 bonus from SSG Gloves 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 IX on March 7 at the 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL. Photo by Sportfot

March 7, 2014 – Wellington, FL – For the second time this season, Kent Farrington picked up a $3,000 bonus for wearing SSG 'Digital' riding gloves in the SSG Gloves "Go Clean for the Promotion". Having won the Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Series Round VI on February 13 riding Blue Angel, Farrington once again made a trip to the winner's circle after winning the $125,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Series Round IX on March 7 at the 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL.

A total of 89 riders entered the International Arena in the hopes of claiming top prize in the $125,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Series Round IX on Thursday afternoon. A total of 22 found their way to a clear round over the track set by Irish course designer Alan Wade. However, mid-way through an exciting jump-off, Mother Nature had other plans, unleashing a wild storm to bring the competition to a halt. The jump-off resumed at 8 a.m. on Friday morning, with 13 horses left to jump. Voyeur was one of those horses, turning in a clear round in a blistering fast time of 42.86 seconds to claim the win.

"You have to make the best of the situation," said Farrington of the split jump-off competition. "Obviously it would have been better if everyone in the jump-off went together, but that wasn't possible."

As Farrington was wearing SSG 'Digital' riding gloves on his way to victory, he was presented with a $3,000 bonus in recognition of his support from SSG Gloves.

"All of these things that are promoting the sport and, at the same time, promoting professional riding here in North America is great for the future of our sport," noted Farrington of the SSG Gloves "Go Clean for the Green" promotion, now in its fourth year at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival. "I really think that is going to be more the direction that it goes with rider incentives and bigger prize money to make a true professional sport. SSG is one of the companies that stepped up at the forefront of doing that, and have been doing it for a while now at the Winter Equestrian Festival. It's fantastic for all of us!"

Of the SSG 'Digital' riding gloves, Farrington said, "They're great, they hold up and they're sticky, especially on my strong horses."

As for how he will spend his SSG bonus money, which now totals $6,000, Farrington said, "Feed, shoes, and all of the other things that go into doing this sport because it's very expensive. I put it all back into what I like to do, which is show jumping."

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.