Kelsey Thatcher, pictured on a stand-in mount for Everything, is presented with a $1,000 bonus from Jennifer Ward on behalf of SSG Gloves for wearing SSG ‘Digital’ riding gloves on her way to victory in the $15,000 SJHOF High Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic during week six of the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL. Photo by Sportfot
Kira Kerkorian and Cassiopeia are presented with a $1,000 bonus in the SSG Gloves “Go Clean for the Green” promotion after winning the $10,000 High Junior Jumper Classic on Sunday, February 15. Photo by Starting Gate Communications

February 15, 2015 – Wellington, FL – Both Kelsey Thatcher and Kira Kerkorian were wearing SSG ‘Digital’ riding gloves to earn $1,000 bonuses in the SSG Gloves “Go Clean for the Green” promotion running throughout the 12-week Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL. Each week, bonus money is offered to the winner of the Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup, the High Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic, and the Sleepy P Ranch High Junior Jumper Classic if they are wearing SSG ‘Digital’ style riding gloves on their way to victory.

Back-to-back bonuses were awarded in the $15,000 SJHOF High Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic and the $10,000 High Junior Jumper Classic, both held Sunday afternoon, February 15, in the DeNemethy Ring. In the High Amateur-Owner Classic, six of the 38 entries advanced to the shortened jump-off track. Thatcher proved that being the pathfinder was no problem for her and her mount, Everything, posting a clear round in a time of 36.75 seconds that would hold up for the win.

“His show name is Everything, and he is that,” said Thatcher of the 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding purchased three seasons ago from Ireland’s Cian O’Connor. “He is a very aggressive horse. I was able to do a children’s jumper turn, and he lands off of it and looks for the next jump.”

Week six of the Winter Equestrian Festival marked the second time that Thatcher and Everything have claimed victory in the $15,000 SJHOF High Amateur-Owner Classic, as the pair also won during opening week. It was also her second win while wearing SSG ‘Digital’ riding gloves, bringing her total bonus money won to $2,000 so far this season.

“I think it’s amazing!” said Thatcher, 22, of the promotion, noting that she is saving up her bonus money. Of her SSG ‘Digital’ riding gloves, the recent University of Georgia graduate noted, “They are great. They are never too hot, and they have classic styling. Some gloves wear out in the fingers, but they don’t.”

In the $10,000 Sleepy P Ranch High Junior Jumper Classic, a jump-off was required to determine the winner when both Kira Kerkorian, who trains with Nicole Shahinian-Simpson, and Sophie Simpson jumped clear in the opening round. Kerkorian returned first, posting another faultless effort in a time of 42.69 seconds riding Cassiopeia. When Simpson faulted with Ramses du Lavillon, the victory, and the $1,000 bonus from SSG Gloves, went to Kerkorian.

“It’s amazing, just for wearing gloves!” said Kerkorian of the SSG Gloves promotion, revealing that she purchased two new pairs of ‘Digitals’ just before the start of the class when she realized she had forgotten hers. “I am surprised when people don’t have them, because you can win money just by wearing them!

“I love them; they give me good grip,” continued Kerkorian, 16, of Sagaponack, NY. “Even when it’s raining or my horse is sweaty, I am able to keep my grip, which is great.”

Of her 11-year-old Holsteiner mare, known by ‘Piñata’ in the barn, Kerkorian said, “I’ve had her since August, and she’s been amazing.”

Fittingly, when asked how she planned to spend her $1,000 bonus, Kerkorian replied, “Everything goes back to the horses; they are really the ones that deserve it.”

SSG Gloves will continue to offer a $3,000 bonus in each of the weekly Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Series events, as well as a $1,000 bonus in the High Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic and the Sleepy P Ranch 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 the SSG Gloves bonus during the awards presentation. A total of $60,000 in bonus money is on offer from SSG Gloves at the 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival.

SSG ‘Digital’ riding gloves are available for purchase at numerous Wellington locations including Tackeria and Dover Saddlery, as well as on-site at the Winter Equestrian Festival show grounds at various retailers including Running Fox and Hadfield’s Saddlery.

Please refer to the 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival Prize List for complete promotion details on the SSG Gloves “Go Clean for the Green” promotion. For further information, please contact promotion manager Jennifer Ward, Starting Gate Communications Inc., at cell: 613 292-5439 or jward@startinggate.ca.