Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, June 21, 1993 TAG: 9306200011
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LAURA WILLIAMSON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Oxford the horse, of course.
He had a big day coming up - a very big day.
Oxford and Lesko will be competing this week in the Roanoke Valley Horse Show, one of the biggest competitions of its kind in the country and a multimillion-dollar draw for the local economy.
Equestrians from as far away as Canada and Texas, including nationally known riders such as Lisa Jensen and Michael Matz, a former Olympic rider, will show up for the annual competition at the Salem Civic Center - particularly the Grand Prix.
French for "big prize," the Grand Prix will surely be that this year. At $125,000 for the top jumping class, Salem's Grand Prix tops all others across the country. Some award prizes as low as $25,000; several go as high as $100,000.
It's the big money that brings the big names. And a few big names bring lots of little ones.
The end result will be about 1,000 horses, tended by 3,000 show people watched by an estimated 35,000 spectators who pour more than $11 million into the valley economy, said June Camper, co-chairwoman of the show for the past 12 years.
"It's like circus comes to town," said Nancy Peterson, president of the Roanoke Valley Horsemen's Association. "It's just a dream come true with this horse show getting bigger and bigger.
"It is an honor to win a ribbon here."
Kelley Douglas has known that honor.
Last year, she took home the champion's title for Southwest Virginia Adult Amateurs. To do so, she had to win the most points in two jumping contests and one "flat" class, where the horse is judged on walk, trot and canter. Douglas won first, second and fourth places.
The show means so much to her that the Illinois native - a Hollins College student - stays in Roanoke for the summer so she won't miss it. She spends nearly all of her time riding, some in preparation for the show, some to prepare the horses at Hollins for next year's equestrian program.
"I ride at least four horses a day," she said.
Except Sunday.
Lesko said he tries to ride on his Franklin County farm every day for about 90 minutes - longer during the week before the show. But training for a show like this goes on all year. For some, it's a process that takes many years.
Lesko's preparing now for a class called "schooling jumpers" in which he and Oxford will take jumps from 3 feet 6 inches to 4 feet 3 inches high. But his goal is to make it to a semi-professional class that jumps at night.
"I guess I've always wanted to show at night at Roanoke, so maybe some of my friends could see me show off a little bit," he said. "Maybe next year."
Lesko, who has been riding for 10 years and competing just as long, said he always looks forward to the Roanoke Valley show. For one thing, it's more relaxing when he doesn't have to pack up his horse and leave town.
But there are other draws, probably the same ones that have brought riders of all levels into the valley for 22 years.
"I think it's a lot harder, especially with the larger jumper division," he said. "I think that's brought in a lot of better talents."
Lesko, who is president of the junior committee of the Southwest Virginia Hunter-Jumper Association, said it's exciting to watch the professionals he sees on television ride here.
"You finally get to see the people you grew up idolizing," he said. "You finally get to see them in person."
He was hoping to see the Leone brothers from New York. He'll get half his wish. Peter Leone will be competing in the Grand Prix. His brother, Mark, will be competing in Europe.
The attraction that brings the stars to Roanoke, however - the $125,000 purse - can't be counted on indefinitely. The money for all the jumper prizes was donated by recently deceased benefactor Marion Via, who pledged $1 million over 10 years to the jumper division ending in 1994.
She made no provisions in her will for further donations to the horse show.
Cash awards from the show - co-sponsored by the Horsemen's Association and the Junior League of Roanoke - total $280,000 between all divisions, which include hunters, jumpers, Arabians, Saddlebreds and western, among others, Camper said.
All prizes are donated. Camper said the show's executive committee is still searching for new sponsors for the jumping classes.
Proceeds from the shows, which totaled $102,000 last year, go to charity, she said.
Schedule:
Today-Thursday: GMC Truck barrel races Monday-Wednesday. Children's stick horse event Tuesday. $10,000 open jumper, Thursday. 9 a.m., free. 7 p.m. $5 for adults and $3 for children.
Friday: $10,000 open jumper, Southern States Percheron hitch, Jack Russell terrier races. 9 a.m., $3. 7 p.m., $10 adults and $5 children.
Saturday: $10,000 open jumper, Southern States Percheron hitch, gambler's choice jumping event. 9 a.m., $3. 6:30 p.m., $12 adults, $10 children.
Sunday: $125,000 Grand Prix of Roanoke. 2 p.m., $12 adults, $10 children, $15 box seats.
ROANOKE VALLEY HORSE SHOW is today through Sunday at the Salem Civic Center. Call 375-3004 for tickets.
by CNB