Todd Minikus earned a $6,000 bonus from Jennifer Ward and Ed James of SSG Riding Gloves after winning the $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round X on Thursday, March 17, at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL. Photo by Sportfot

March 17, 2011 – Wellington, FL – Todd Minikus wore SSG ‘Digital’ Riding Gloves to claim a $6,000 bonus after winning the $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round X on Thursday, March 17, at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL.

Inclement weather forced the cancellation of last week’s competition, so the weekly $3,000 bonus was carried forward to week 10, bringing the total bonus on offer to $6,000. Seven competitors advanced to the jump-off in Thursday’s competition, and it was Minikus who claimed the win after jumping clear in a time of 42.48 seconds riding his veteran campaigner, Pavarotti.

As Minikus has been suffering from a broken collar bone, it was only his second time back competing.

“To tell the truth, we were standing down at the in-gate before the class, and I was with some of the Irish boys, giving them some trash talk,” said Minikus. “Then they started talking about the glove bonus and I haven’t been showing much, so I asked, “Where do I get the gloves?” They called over to the tack store and told them that I was on my way to buy them but, if I win, I have to split the money with them.”

The Irish competitors are not the only ones looking for a piece of the bonus money. With a new addition to the family arriving six weeks ago, Minikus was leaving the horse show to buy diapers!

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. During week 10, $2,000 will be on offer for the $15,000 High Amateur-Owner Classic on Saturday, March 19, while a $3,000 bonus is up for grabs in the $10,000 Low Amateur-Owner Classic on Sunday, March 20.

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.