Skylar Brittner of Thunderbird Show Park presents Chelsea Jones and Ultima V with a $1,000 bonus earned in the SSG Gloves “Go Clean for the Green” promotion following her win in the $15,000 Odlum Brown Ltd. Grand Prix on July 5. Photo by Aimée Makris - Moi Photography for Thunderbird Show Park
Langley’s own Brent Balisky receives a $1,000 bonus from Thunderbird’s Chris Pack following his win riding Classical in the $3,000 Dexter Associates Realty Canadian Hunter Derby Qualifier during Thunderbird Show Park’s ‘Western Family Festival’ tournament. Photo by Aimée Makris - Moi Photography for Thunderbird Show Park

July 7, 2015 – Langley, British Columbia – The concept is simple: wear SSG Gloves, and be rewarded. Both Brent Balisky and Chelsea Jones were richly rewarded for doing just that in the SSG Gloves “Go Clean for the Green” promotion held July 1 to 5 at the Thunderbird Show Park ‘Western Family Festival’ in Langley, BC.

On Sunday, July 5, Jones topped a 25-horse starting field to win the $15,000 Odlum Brown Ltd. Grand Prix. Riding Ultima V, an 11-year-old Hosteiner mare owned by Wild Turkey Farm, Jones turned in the winning round following a ten-horse jump-off. As Jones was wearing SSG ‘Digital’ style riding gloves on her way to victory, she was presented with a $1,000 bonus from SSG Gloves.

“It’s a really lovely incentive for the riders; it’s an extra perk!” said Jones, who is originally from British Columbia and now based in Portland, Oregon. “A lot of times we ride horses that have different owners, and it is fun for the riders to be able to earn that extra bonus for themselves.”

Jones is a big fan of the SSG ‘Digital’ riding gloves, noting, “I love SSG ‘Digital’ gloves. No matter the weather, if it’s pouring rain or super-hot, they stay dry and ‘grippy’. They don’t slide around in the rain, and you don’t lose your grip when it’s wet out. They always fit, and they don’t change their shape or stretch out over time. I have small hands, and they fit me better than other brands.”

Brent Balisky is no stranger to the winner’s circle, and certainly no stranger to SSG Gloves. A past winner in the promotion, Balisky had on his lucky ‘Digitals’ as he guided Classical to the high score of 98 points to easily take the win in the $3,000 Dexter Associates Realty Canadian Hunter Derby Qualifier. In recognition of his loyalty to the Canadian glove manufacturer, Balisky was awarded a $1,000 bonus.

“I think that the SSG Gloves bonus program is a wonderful incentive,” said Balisky, who operates Thunderbird Show Stables in Langley, BC. “SSG is a generous sponsor, and I would like to thank them for their sponsorship at Thunderbird!”

As for what he likes about his SSG gloves, Balisky commented, “They have great grip, do not get hot, and they fit the hand well; they conform around the hand perfectly. Not only do I wear the SSG ‘Digital’ gloves, but I also encourage all my clients to wear them. They are great gloves and everyone should be wearing them.”

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 $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:

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.