Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, January 8, 1993 TAG: 9301080063
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
HORSE SHOW PONDERING POST-VIA ERA
The Roanoke Valley Horse Show appears to be on financially solid ground through 1994. After that, its future is clouded.The will of philanthropist Marion Bradley Via, who died Monday, was made public Thursday, and there was no mention of contributions to the horse show past 1991.
However, Via had pledged $1 million over 10 years ending in 1994 to sponsor the jumper division. She also had been the sole sponsor of the show's Grand Prix of Roanoke, for which she recently raised the purse to $125,000. The Grand Prix, contested since 1985, now is the richest in the country.
"The league has voted to continue sponsoring the horse show through 1994, so I assume that everything will be fine until then because Mrs. Via always had said that as long the league continues to support the show, it would have her support," horse show co-chairwoman June Camper said. `'After that, I really don't know anything."
That would seem to leave the future of the show, a collaboration of the Junior League of Roanoke Valley and the Roanoke Valley Horsemen's Association, in question.
Via, the Roanoke philanthropist and long-time benefactor of the jumper classes at the horse show, left unanswered questions about the continuing relationship of her vast estate to the many charitable enterprises to which she had contributed millions over the years.
Via's attorney, John Rocovich of Roanoke, is known to have told many recipients of her kindness not to count on the gifts continuing after her death. Rocovich, co-executor of the estate, did not return calls Thursday.
All but $150,000 that went to Roanoke Symphony Orchestra was passed to Via's sons, Edward Becher Via and Peter Lynde Via. The estate is believed to be about $400 million.
Marion Via, who was a sustainer in the Junior League, always had insisted that her financial support was contingent on the show being a cooperative effort of the league and the horsemen's association, Camper said.
It has been the league's practice to vote on its sponsorship for three-year periods. Another such vote for the three years starting in 1995 had been scheduled later this month, even before Via's death, Camper said.
"Until we hear otherwise, this year's show and the 1994 show are a go," league president Wendy Moore said. "Later this month, I will meet with Mrs. Camper, Mr. Rocovich, and probably the league's attorney to discuss the future. Should we scale back? I really don't know and won't speculate."
Via always had left it up to the league and the horsemen's association how to spend the money, Camper said.
"We never had a fixed figure," Camper said. "We could add something or take away something each year."
For example, in this year's show, scheduled June 21-27, the prize money for the Junior Owner Amateur Jumper Division is to be increased and another class for adult jumpers is to be added.