Jennifer Ward presents a $1,000 bonus on behalf of SSG Gloves to Canada's Wesley Newlands, mounted on Lapacco, following her win in the $15,000 High Amateur-Owner Classic on March 8 at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL. Photo by Starting Gate Communications

March 9, 2014 – Wellington, FL – Wesley Newlands and Victoria Colvin were both winners in the SSG Gloves "Go Clean for the Green" promotion during Week IX of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida. Each rider picked up a $1,000 bonus in appreciation of their loyalty to the SSG Gloves brand.

Canada's Wesley Newlands topped a large starting field of 45 entries, including a 10-horse jump-off, to win Saturday's $15,000 High Amateur-Owner Classic riding Lapacco. In addition to claiming her share of the prize money, Newlands was also presented with a $1,000 bonus from SSG Gloves for wearing 'Digital' riding gloves on her way to victory.

"I love these gloves!" exclaimed Newlands, 25, of Toronto, ON. "They help me keep my grip, because I lose my reins quite a bit. I bought them last year specifically for the promotion, and I'm glad I tried them! I think the promotion is a great concept; it really inspires the riders to go out and buy them and to try and win the class. I wear them all the time, I have five pairs!"

Newlands is based in Ridgefield, Connecticut, and trains with John and Beezie Madden. She has been riding Lapacco for approximately three years and says, "He is the sweetest horse in entire world! He is lazy to flat, but when he gets in the ring he gets very excited!"

While it was Newlands first win in the High Amateur-Owner Classic at this year's FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival, Colvin was celebrating her second win of the 12-week circuit. Having won the $10,000 High Junior Jumper Classic during Week I, Colvin and Don Juan returned to the International Arena during Week IX to claim the title for the second time.

Victoria Colvin riding Don Juan claimed her second SSG Gloves bonus of the season after winning the $10,000 High Junior Jumper Classic during Week IX of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival. Presenting is SSG Gloves representative Jennifer Ward accompanied by ringmaster Gustavo Murcia. Photo by Sportfot

A total of 31 riders faced off over the track set by Irish course designer Alan Wade with five qualifying for the tie-breaker. Colvin and Don Juan, better known as 'DJ' around the barn, turned in a clear round in a time of 40.29 seconds that would prove unbeatable. A huge fan of SSG 'Digital' riding gloves, Colvin was presented with a $1,000 bonus by SSG Gloves in recognition of her loyalty to the Canadian glove manufacturer.

"It makes you want to win so much more!" said Colvin, 16, of the SSG Gloves "Go Clean for the Green" promotion. "I wear them in everything - the hunters, equitation and jumpers. They are very cool and airy, so you don't get hot. They are very comfortable and have a great grip."

While Colvin of Loxahatchee, FL, has won an impressive amount of bonus money over the four years that SSG Gloves has been offering the "Go Clean for the Green" promotion, she puts it right back into the horses, helping to pay show entries and other expenses.

Of her winning mount, Colvin commented, "He is sort of like a little donkey. Not in a bad way, but he is just such a happy soul. When you are showing him, he is like a little dirt bike - he sees a jump and he has to rev up to get his scope, vroom, vroom, and goes right over!"

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.