Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, June 26, 1995 TAG: 9506260175
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
She comes up with some splendid horses and he rides them splendidly.
Vale won the $50,000 Rolex Grand Prix of Roanoke aboard Alfredo on Sunday afternoon before a crowd of 2,046 at the Salem Civic Center, giving him the rare distinction of having taken first place in the two richest jumper classes at the Roanoke Valley Horse Show this week.
The friendly and modest 26-year-old rider also won Friday night's $10,000 Open Jumper Stake, riding Mafito.
Oddly, Alfredo slipped and slid his way out of the money Friday. Two days later, Mafito struggled and Alfredo was a different horse.
``He kept his feet this time,'' Vale said. ``The two fast horses [Margo ridden by Hugh Mutch and Catch A Wave with Vicky Miller up] went out before me. I knew that I could be more careful because some of the slower horses would be behind me.''
Vale joined Mutch, Miller, Jimmy Torano and Harold Chopping (on both Brandy and Pershing B) in a six-horse jump-off. Vale was the only rider who negotiated the amended Fuzzy Mayo course without fault in the jump-off.
That came despite hairpin turns leading into the last two jumps.
``This horse turns very well, especially after going over fences,'' Vale said. ``I can make sure I make the jump by doing it slowly then I can come down and make the quick turn.''
Vale collected the $15,000 first-place prize money. Second went to Margo and Mutch; third was Chopping, atop Brandy; fourth was Chopping and Pershing B; fifth was Torano riding The Clown; and sixth went to Miller and Catch A Wave.
Vale's luck wasn't so good with Mafito. The 18-year-old was proceeding smoothly until he balked suddenly at the third of three fences at jump No.4. Once more he refused to jump, almost unseating his rider.
It was just one more reminder of what a nice luxury it is to be able to enter more than one horse. After riding in Thursday night's Welcome Jumper Stake and Friday's Open, Vale knew what to expect from the arena footing.
``I took it a little slower and I also changed the size of cleat in his shoe,'' he said. ``That seemed to help.''
Both the horses Vale rode to victory this week he has known less than a year. Mafito was purchased in March; Alfredo, a Westphalian who is owned by Brooke Walton, was bought in November 1994.
``Andrea [King] spotted Alfredo and picked him out and I rode him,'' Vale said. ``She knew what she was doing. We've just had him since November and he's already won two Grand Prix for us.''
The 11-year-old also won the Ocala (Fla.) Tournament Grand Prix in February.
Alfredo was purchased from Terry Rudd, who did not show here this year but was a winner of the Roanoke Prix in 1990 and 1993.
Last year's champion, Irishman Kevin Babington, had a difficult afternoon. Tornado, who performed so flawlessly here last year, hit a couple of fences this time. The other former Roanoke champion riding in the 26-horse field, David Raposa, failed to direct any of his three mounts into the jump-off.
ROLEX GRAND PRIX OF ROANOKE
1, Alfredo, Aaron Vale ($15,000); 2, Margo, Hugh Mutch ($11,000); 3, Brandy, Harold Chopping ($6,500).
4, Pershing B, Chopping ($4,000); 5, The Clown, Jimmy Torano ($3,000); 6, Catch A Wave, Vicky Miller ($2,500).
7, Absolut, Cindy Fuller, ($2,000); 8, Pilot Point, Miller ($1,500); 9, Reservation, David J. Raposa ($1,500).
10, Kempton Park, Robin Sweely ($1,000); 11, Roscoe, Mark Jungherr ($1,000); 12, The Riddler, Torano ($1,000).
by CNB