Thunderbird Show Park’s Chris Pack presents Morgan Thomas with the first $1,000 bonus of the season in the SSG Gloves “Go Clean for the Green” promotion. Photo by Aimée Makris - Moi Photography for Thunderbird Show Park
Morgan Thomas and Moonrise on their way to victory – and a $1,000 bonus from SSG Gloves - in the $10,000 International Gems USHJA International Hunter Derby held May 23 at Thunderbird Show Park. Photo by Aimée Makris - Moi Photography for Thunderbird Show Park

May 25, 2015 – Langley, British Columbia – The 2015 competition season is officially underway at Thunderbird Show Park in Langley, BC, producing the first winner in the SSG Gloves “Go Clean for the Green” promotion. Now in its fifth year, SSG Gloves is offering a total of $12,000 in bonus money to both hunter and jumper competitors throughout the 2015 show season at Thunderbird.

A total of 18 entries contested the $10,000 International Gems USHJA International Hunter Derby on May 23, and all but three riders were wearing SSG ‘Digital’ style riding gloves to be eligible for the $1,000 bonus. In the end, it was Morgan Thomas, a two-time winner in the SSG Gloves promotion in 2014, who claimed the victory. Riding Moonrise Kingdom, a ten-year-old Dutch Warmblood for owner Allison Talbot, Thomas earned a total score of 366.5 to take the win as well as the first $1,000 bonus offered in the SSG Gloves “Go Clean for the Green” promotion.

“I am an enthusiastic supporter of SSG and of the SSG bonus promotion; I think the promotion is brilliant,” said Thomas, who is based out of Parkside Stables in Bellevue, WA. “It makes people like me go out and buy the gloves. I love riding in the SSG Gloves. They are form-fitting, don’t move, and hold the reins well.”

Continuing his praise of the SSG ‘Digitals’, Thomas added, “The thing that makes SSG ‘Digitals’ different from other gloves is the texture and the sure grip. I have never lost a rein with these gloves. And I love that they do not go past my watch. I recommend the SSG ‘Digital’ gloves to all the riders.”

A $1,000 bonus is on offer to the winner of designated grand prix and hunter events if they are wearing SSG ‘Digital’ style riding gloves. If the winning rider in any designated event is wearing SSG ‘Digitals’ with the horse head logo clearly visible in all rounds of competition, they will be presented with a bonus cheque in front of the SSG signature jump during the awards presentation.

The SSG Gloves ‘Go Clean for the Green’ promotion will continue to be offered at Thunderbird Show Park in the following events:

CSI2* BC Open – May 27 – 31
$3,000 Dexter Associates Realty Canadian Hunter Derby Qualifier – Saturday, May 30
$55,000 CSI2* Langley School District Foundation Grand Prix – Sunday, May 31

West Coast Classic – June 24 – June 28
$5,000 Cobblestone Hunter Derby – Saturday, June 27
$15,000 Kubota Canada Grand Prix – Sunday, June 28

Western Family Festival – July 1 – 5
$3,000 Dexter Associates Realty Canadian Hunter Derby Qualifier – Thursday, July 2
$15,000 Odlum Brown Ltd. Grand Prix – Sunday, July 5

CSI3*-W Summer Fort Classic – August 12 – 16
$3,000 Dexter Associates Realty Canadian Hunter Derby Qualifier – Thursday, August 13
$126,000 CSI3*-W Longines World Cup Qualifier presented by Asmar Equestrian – Sunday, August 16

CSI3* Summer Fort Festival – August 19 – 23
$15,000 Foxstone USHJA International Hunter Derby – Saturday, August 22
$126,000 CSI3* Reliable Rentals Grand Prix presented by Facet Advisors – Sunday, August 23

SSG ‘Digital’ Riding Gloves are 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 2015 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.