July 7, 2012 – Fort Langley, British Columbia – Laura Jane Tidball and Liz Ashton took home the bonus money in the SSG Riding Gloves ‘Go Clean for the Green’ promotion during the West Coast Classic at Thunderbird Show Park in Langley, BC.
Fort Langley’s own Laura Jane Tidball was wearing her SSG ‘Digital’ Riding Gloves when she won the $5,000 Cobblestone Derby on Saturday, June 30, on Thunderbird’s grass grand prix field. All but two of the competitors were wearing SSG ‘Digitals’, but it was Tidball who took home a $500 bonus from the Canadian glove manufacturer for sporting its brand. An amazing inside turn in the handy round secured the victory for Tidball and Yesquero, a 12-year-old Argentinean Warmblood usually shown by Brent Balisky.
“I love the SSG bonus program,” said Tidball. “I ride numerous horses in my SSG ‘Digitals’ every day, and the ‘washability’ of the gloves is a big plus. I am very grateful for SSG’s generous sponsorship.”
Liz Ashton of Victoria, BC, celebrated Canada Cay by taking victory in the $10,000 Super Save Group Grand Prix on July 1 aboard Wedding Date. The pair was double clear in the fastest time in a very competitive jump-off. Liz picked up a $1,000 bonus in addition to her share of the prize money for wearing SSG Riding Gloves.
“What a great way to promote the gloves!” said Ashton, who noted that she never goes to the ring without them. “They have a very good grip. I wouldn’t wear anything else.”
A member of Canada’s gold medal eventing team at the 1978 World Championship, Ashton purchased Wedding Date one year ago in Europe. Having just made her decision to buy the nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood, Ashton was waiting in London’s Heathrow airport when the Royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton was televised. Ashton immediately came up with the name Wedding Date, deciding on ‘Kate’ for a nickname around the barn.
2012 marks the second year in a row that SSG Riding Gloves has offered $9,000 in bonus money through its ‘Go Clean for the Green’ promotion to riders competing at Thunderbird Show Park. In an incentive program designed to reward competitors for their loyalty to the SSG Riding Gloves brand, SSG will offer a bonus of $1,000 to the winning rider in designated grand prix events if they are wearing SSG ‘Digital’ Riding Gloves with the horse head logo clearly visible. If the winning rider is not wearing SSG ‘Digital’ Riding Gloves, the bonus money is carried forward to the next event, increasing from $1,000 to $2,000, etc. The same format applies to designated hunter events, where a $500 bonus is on offer.
The following events are still to come in the 2012 SSG Riding Gloves ‘Go Clean for the Green’ promotion at Thunderbird Show Park:
Western Family Festival – July 4-8
$10,000 Facet Advisors Grand Prix
$1,500 Canadian Hunter Derby
CSI** & WCHR Fort Summer Classic – August 15-19
$50,000 Dianne Tidball Legacy Grand Prix
$15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby
CSI-W** Fort Summer Festival – August 22-26
$100,000 CSI2* Fortress Paper World Cup
$5,000 Jump Canada Classic Hunter Derby
SSG ‘Digital’ Riding Gloves are available for purchase on-site at Thunderbird Show Park at the Thunderbird Tack Shop, Bates Tack Shop, the Dog and Pony Shop, Equestrian Factory Outlet, Equi-Products, and Greenhawk Harness and Equestrian Supplies.
Please refer to the 2012 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.
Contact: Jennifer Ward
Starting Gate Communications
Tel: (613) 569-2423
www.startinggate.ca