Emilie Martinsen of Denmark is presented with a $2,000 bonus by Jennifer Ward as part of the SSG Riding Gloves ‘Go Clean for the Green’ promotion. Photo by Sportfot
Teri Kessler claimed a $2,000 bonus for wearing SSG 'Digital' Riding Gloves while winning the $10,000 Low Amatuer-Owner Classic. Photo by Sportfot

February 27, 2011 – Wellington, FL – Emilie Martinsen claimed her second bonus from SSG Riding Gloves as part of the ‘Go Clean for the Green’ promotion taking place throughout the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL.

Martinsen, 26, of Denmark had won a $1,000 bonus during week three for winning the $15,000 High Amateur-Owner Classic while wearing SSG ‘Digital’ Riding Gloves. On Saturday, February 26, during week seven, Martinsen again guided Gucci to victory in the $15,000 High Amateur-Owner Classic, this time claiming a $2,000 bonus as the bonus money had not been awarded the week before.

“I think they are my lucky gloves,” said Martinsen. “There were a few weeks where I didn’t have them and I had faults. Now, I will keep wearing them every week!”

Teri Kessler was ecstatic to win the $1,000 bonus on offer in week seven’s $10,000 Low Amateur-Owner Classic. After completing her jump-off ride on Swiss Franc in a time of 37.70 seconds to move into the lead, Kessler proudly held up her hands to show the crowd her SSG ‘Digital’ Riding Gloves as she exited the ring.

“My husband, Murray, my daughter, Reed, and I all ride, so when I heard about the promotion, I got so excited,” said Kessler of Armonk, NY. “I went through all of our tack trunks and took out all of the gloves and put them in a bag in the garage. Then I went to Running Fox and Tackeria and bought five pairs of SSG ‘Digitals’ for each of us. I was buying so many pairs in different sizes that I had to go to two stores! Everyone else was doing the same thing during the first week, and I was frantic that they would be sold out!

“I never ride without gloves, and they are so comfortable,” continued Kessler. “They don’t slip, and they breathe in the humidity. I also wear them when I show my hunter, and I won with him, too.”

While the bonus money was awarded in both the Amateur-Owner High and Low Classics during week seven, the $6,000 on offer for the $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round VII was not claimed. That means a $9,000 bonus will be on offer to the winning rider in the $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup Series Round VIII on Thursday, March 3.

SSG Riding Gloves is offering a total of $57,000 in cash bonuses for riders competing at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival running January 12 through April 3 in Wellington, FL. The SSG ‘Go Clean for the Green’ promotion is offered in the weekly WEF Challenge Cup Series, the Amateur-Owner Jumper Low Classic, and the Amateur-Owner Jumper High Classic competitions.

Cash bonuses are given directly to the rider during the award presentations in front of the SSG Riding Gloves signature jump by either Ed James of SSG Riding Gloves or Jennifer Ward of Starting Gate Communications, who manages and handles publicity for the ‘Go Clean for the Green’ promotion.

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 Beval Saddlery, Collierville, Hadfield’s, Jod’s, Kocher, and Running Fox.

Please refer to the 2011 WEF Prize List for complete details. For further information, contact Jennifer Ward, Starting Gate Communications, at cell: 613 292-5439 or jward@startinggate.ca.