Emanuel Andrade Claims High Amateur-Owner Classic and SSG Bonus at 2016 Winter Equestrian Festival

Venezuela’s Emanuel Andrade won the $15,000 High Amateur-Owner Classic on Saturday, March 5, and picked up a $1,000 bonus from SSG Gloves along the way in the SSG Gloves “Go Clean for the Green” promotion running throughout the 12-week Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, FL.

A total of 44 horse-rider combinations contested the tracks set by Ireland's Alan Wade in the $15,000 Maybach – Icons of Luxury High Amateur-Owner Classic, with eight advancing to a jump-off.  Riding Walter 61, Andrade returned midway through the jump-off and posted the fastest double-clear effort by more than two full seconds, stopping the clock in 35.09 for the win over Brazil’s Karina Johannpeter, who was clear in 37.12 riding Vanilla di Villagana.  As Andrade was wearing SSG ‘Digital’ style riding gloves on his way to victory, he was awarded a $1,000 bonus for his loyalty to the Canadian brand.

“It's great for the riders to be able to wear nice gloves and win extra prize money,” said Andrade after collecting his second SSG Gloves bonus so far this season.

For Andrade, the SSG Gloves “Go Clean for the Green” promotion represents a perfect opportunity to give back to his Hollow Creek Farm team.  Each time he collects a bonus check, he gifts the money to his grooms in recognition of their hard work.

“I love this promotion,” said Andrade, 19, who also placed ninth in the Classic riding Belita.  “This is one of the most exciting classes for my grooms because I always give them the money.  They are very happy today!”

In addition to taking the win, Andrade and Walter 61 were named the High Amateur-Owner Champions for WEF Week 8.  Andrade has been partnered with Walter 61, a 15-year-old Sachsen-Anhaltiner gelding (Werenfels x Donator), for five years and plans to keep showing him in the High Amateur-Owner Jumper ranks.

“Walter has been with me a long time and I know him very well,” said Andrade of his old friend.  “He's a trier and he still wants to win.  He is great for this level.  Today was pretty big and difficult, and I'm very proud of him.”

It was a great result for Andrade on a day that Hollow Creek Farm welcomes the world to Wellington, FL, for the annual Children, Junior and Young Rider Nations’ Cup competitions.  Held throughout the day on Saturday, March 5, the Nations’ Cup events gives many up-and-coming riders their first taste of competing at the international level in a team environment.

The SSG Gloves “Go Clean for the Green” promotion offers $60,000 in bonus money to riders throughout the 12-week WEF competition running January 13 through April 3, 2016, in Wellington, FL.  A $3,000 bonus is offered each week to the winner of the WEF Challenge Cup if they are wearing SSG ‘Digital’ style riding gloves with the horsehead logo clearly visible in all rounds of competition.  In the weekly Maybach – Icons of Luxury High Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic and the Sleepy P High Junior Jumper Classic competitions, a $1,000 bonus is on offer if the winning rider is wearing SSG ‘Digital’ style riding gloves with the SSG Gloves horse head logo clearly visible in all rounds of competition.

SSG ‘Digital’ Riding Gloves are available for purchase at numerous Wellington locations, including Tackeria, as well as on-site at the Winter Equestrian Festival show grounds at various retailers such as Running Fox.

Please refer to the 2016 Winter Equestrian Festival Prize List for complete promotion details. For further information, please contact Jennifer Ward, Jump Media, at cell: 613-292-5439 or jward@jumpmediallc.com.