For the second week in a row, Brian Morton earned a $1,000 bonus as part of the SSG Gloves "Go Clean for the Green" promotion after winning the $55,000 CSI2*-W Purica Recovery EQ World Cup Grand Prix riding Spitfire on Sunday, June 1, at Thunderbird Show Park. Presenting is Jane Tidball, President of Thunderbird Show Park. Photo by Red Gown Photography
Chelsea McNeill wore SSG 'Digitals' while guiding Toon Town to victory in the $2,500 Grand Prix Hunter Derby to earn a $1,000 bonus from SSG Gloves. Photo by Totem Photographics

June 2, 2014 – Langley, BC – Hot off his win in the $25,000 International Gems Grand Prix on Sunday, May 25, local favourite Brian Morton of Langley, BC, returned to Thunderbird Show Park to claim the $55,000 CSI2*-W Purica Recovery EQ World Cup Grand Prix on Sunday, June 1. As Morton competed wearing his lucky SSG 'Digital' riding gloves, he was awarded a $1,000 bonus for each win as part of the SSG Gloves "Go Clean for the Green" promotion.

From a 34-horse starting field, eight advanced to the jump-off where Morton and Spitfire, a 17-year-old selle francais gelding owned by Equimark Farm, again jumped clear, crossing the timers in 35.63 seconds. Mexico's Eduardo Sanchez Navarro riding Alfie Scappino BMW tried to catch Morton's time, but fell just short with 35.82. For wearing SSG 'Digitals' on his way to victory, Morton picked up a $1,000 bonus in appreciation of his loyalty to the SSG Gloves brand for the second week in a row.

"These are definitely my lucky gloves!" smiled Morton, 28. "I absolutely love them, and recommend them to everyone."

On Saturday, May 31, Chelsea McNeill won the $2,500 Grand Prix Hunter Derby riding Toon Town. With scores of 83 in the first round and 85 in the second, McNeill topped the class with the chestnut Hanoverian gelding she purchased as a three-year-old and developed herself. Now five years old, Toon Town and McNeill are in their second year of showing together.

McNeill was converted to SSG 'Digital' riding gloves in 2012 when her father, Fred, purchased a pair for her to ensure she was eligible for the promotion. She went on to win the $10,000 Maui Jim Grand Prix riding Phlush, and earned the corresponding $1,000 bonus from SSG Gloves. In 2014, her loyalty to the Canadian riding gloves manufacturer once again paid off with $1,000 in bonus money.

"The SSG bonus program is fabulous; it's so great for the riders to be rewarded," said the local trainer. "I never used to show in gloves, but I tried them while competing in a SSG-sponsored class here a few years ago, and I have been showing in them ever since. The gloves are so lightweight compared to some of the others I have tried, and they do not interfere with my connection to the horse. I have to thank my dad for buying me the gloves in the first place. Even though I had to pay him back, they are worth every penny!"

For the fourth consecutive year, the SSG Gloves "Go Clean for the Green" promotion is offering a total of $12,000 in bonus money to competitors throughout the 2014 show season at Thunderbird Show Park. A $1,000 bonus is on offer to the winner of designated grand prix and hunter events if they are wearing SSG 'Digital' Riding Gloves with the horse head logo clearly visible in all rounds of competition.

The 2014 SSG Riding Gloves "Go Clean for the Green" promotion continues at Thunderbird Show Park with the following events:

West Coast Classic - June 25 - June 29
$5,000 Cobblestone Hunter Derby - Saturday, June 28
$10,000 Fort Langley Grand Prix - Sunday, June 29

Western Family Festival - July 2 - 6
$2,500 Dexter Associates Realty Canadian Hunter Derby - Thursday, July 3
$10,000 Facet Advisors Grand Prix - Sunday, July 6

CSI3*-W Summer Fort Classic - August 13 - 17
$2,500 Grand Prix Hunter Derby Qualifier - Saturday, August 16
$100,000 CSI3*-W World Cup Grand Prix presented by International Gems - Sunday, August 17

CSI2* Summer Fort Festival - August 20 - 24
$15,000 Foxstone USHJA International Hunter Derby - Saturday, August 23
$55,500 CSI2* Bryan Anderson Memorial Grand Prix - Sunday, August 24

SSG 'Digital' Riding Gloves will be available for purchase on-site at Thunderbird Show Park at the Thunderbird Tack Shop, The Dog and Pony Shop, Equestrian Factory Outlet, Equi-Products, and Greenhawk Harness and Equestrian Supplies.

Please refer to the 2014 Thunderbird Show Park prize lists for complete class details. For further information, contact SSG "Go Clean for the Green" promotion manager Jennifer Ward, Starting Gate Communications Inc., at cell: 613 292-5439 or jward@startinggate.ca.