Emilie Martinsen receives her third bonus cheque from Jennifer Ward for wearing SSG ‘Digital’ Riding Gloves while winning the $15,000 High Amateur-Owner Classic at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL. Photo by Sportfot

March 6, 2011 – Wellington, FL – Emilie Martinsen claimed her third bonus from SSG Riding Gloves when she won the $15,000 High Amateur-Owner Classic on Sunday, March 6, at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL.

Martinsen, who had previously won the $15,000 High Amateur-Owner Classic during weeks three and seven, returned to the International Arena during week eight to claim yet another victory. Riding Gucci, Martinsen posted a clear jump-off round in a time of 42.94 seconds to win over 28 entries. Just as she had done on the previous two occasions, Martinsen wore her SSG ‘Digital’ Riding Gloves to earn a $1,000 cash bonus.

“I wear them every time I ride now!” said Martinsen, 26, of Denmark.

Sharing her secret for success, Martinsen noted, “My horse wants to win all the time, and this class suits him well. He’s the best horse in the world!”

With Martinsen claiming a $1,000 bonus, and Mario Deslauriers having claimed a triple bonus of $9,000 for winning Thursday’s $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round VIII, SSG Riding Gloves awarded a total of $10,000 during week eight of the 12-week FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. The winner of Sunday’s $10,000 Low Amateur-Owner Classic was not wearing SSG Riding Gloves, and therefore the bonus doubles to $2,000 for next week.

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 Ann K. Hubbard’s Tack Store, 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.