Ben Asselin rode Lolita to victory in the $25,000 BC Timberframe Grand Prix while wearing SSG ‘Digital’ Riding Gloves to earn a $1,000 bonus from Jennifer Ward, representing SSG Riding Gloves. Photo by Totem Photographics
Isabella Gabriel receives a $500 bonus from Chris Pack (left), Vice President of Operations at Thunderbird Show Park, and Jennifer Ward (right) on behalf of SSG Riding Gloves. Photo by Totem Photographics

May 29, 2011 – Langley, BC – Ben Asselin and Isabella Gabriel were the first two winners in the SSG Riding Gloves promotion running throughout the 2011 competition season at Thunderbird Show Park in Langley, BC.

Asselin, 17, of Calgary, AB, won the $25,000 BC Timberframe Grand Prix on Sunday, May 29, while wearing SSG ‘Digital’ Riding Gloves to pick up a cash bonus of $1,000. Asselin qualified two horses for the jump-off, Magic Man and Lolita, with Lolita taking the win with a clear jump-off ride in a time of 41.17 seconds.

“I think it is a great way to get people wearing the gloves,” said Asselin of the SSG ‘Go Clean for the Green’ promotion. “I don’t normally wear gloves, but they give a good feel and the grip is great.”

While Asselin was the winner in the show jumping ring, another 17-year-old rider, Isabella Gabriel, won in the hunter ring. Gabriel topped a starting field of 16 entries to win the $1,000 Cobblestone Hunter Derby on Saturday, May 28. Gabriel was wearing her SSG ‘Digital’ Riding Gloves to earn an additional $500 bonus.

“I bought the gloves for the promotion here at the horse show,” explained Gabriel. “They are really nice, and they give you the right amount of grip.”

Gabriel was riding Ismael, a 23-year-old chestnut gelding that she has been leasing for the last year and a half. Hailing from Salem, Oregon, Gabriel trains with Akiko Hamanda at Stellar Sport Horses.

SSG Riding Gloves will award a total of $9,000 in bonus money through its ‘Go Clean for the Green’ promotion at Thunderbird Show Park.

In six designated Grand Prix events, if the winning rider is wearing SSG ‘Digital’ Riding Gloves with the horse head logo clearly visible, they will be presented with a $1,000 cash bonus. If the winning rider is not wearing SSG ‘Digital’ Riding Gloves, the bonus money will be carried forward to the next event, increasing from $1,000 to $2,000, etc. The same formula applies to the six designated hunter events, where a $500 bonus is on offer.

The following events are still to come in the SSG ‘Go Clean for the Green’ promotion at Thunderbird Show Park:

CSI-W** BC Open – June 1-5
$30,000 CSI2* Thunderbird Spring Classic
$5,000 Jump Canada 3’6” Hunter Classic

West Coast Classic – June 29-July3
$10,000 MCL Grand Prix
$1,500 Cobblestone Farm 3’ Hunter Derby

Western Family Festival – July 6-10
$10,000 TD Bank Grand Prix
$1,500 Show Park 3’ Hunter Classic

CSI** Fort Summer Classic – August 17-21
$50,000 Dianne Tidball Legacy Grand Prix
$2,500 USHJA 3’6” National Hunter Classic

CSI-W** Fort Summer Festival - August 24-28
$30,000 CSI2* Luisa Cerano Classic
$5,000 Jump Canada 3’6” Hunter Classic

SSG ‘Digital’ Riding Gloves are available for purchase on-site at Thunderbird Show Park at the Thunderbird Tack Shop, the Dog and Pony Shop, Bates Tack Shop, Greenhawk Harness and Equestrian Supplies, and Equi-Products.

Please refer to the 2011 Thunderbird Show Park prize lists for complete class details. For further information, contact Jennifer Ward, Starting Gate Communications, at cell: 613 292-5439 or jward@startinggate.ca.