ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Saturday, June 22, 1996                TAG: 9606240140
SECTION: SPORTS                   PAGE: B-1  EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER

RIDERS JUMPING FOR JOY COLOMBIANS USE WEEK IN SALEM AS OLYMPIC PREP

Pierre Jolicoeur, coach of the Colombian equestrian team, had some specific ideas on what sort of training would best serve his riders in their preparation for the upcoming Olympics.

First, they'd have to go to a show where the competition offered a challenge. Next, they'd have to attend a show where there was an enthusiastic audience in a loud indoor setting. Lastly, they must go to a show where the weather was hot, to challenge horse and black-clad rider with every explosive leap. Heat, in short, that will mimic the expected swelter of Atlanta in the steam bath of the good old Georgia summertime.

As it happened, just such a show was running at the Salem Civic Center this week, the 25th annual Roanoke Valley Horse Show. The audience has been appreciative, the courses have been tight and the heat has been muggy. The dashing South Americans have had quite a week of it, too.

Their hope is to cap the stay in Southwest Virginia with a championship in tonight's $50,000 Grand Prix of Roanoke. Three of the Colombians will be among the event-record total of 35 who will be jumping tonight. The veteran of Jolicoeur's team is Manuel Torres, who rode Cartajena to the blue ribbon in Wednesday night's $5,000 Welcome Stake. Torres has ridden in two Olympics.

The other Colombians are Roberto Gonzalez aboard Baro, who was third in the Welcome and seventh in Thursday night's Open Jumper Stake; Alejandor Davila on Ejemplo; and Pablo Barrios on Largo.

``There are some good horses and some good riders,'' Jolicoeur said. ``But they are very young. Being a South American team, this is a long shot in the Olympics. But that means the pressure is off. Now they can concentrate on the task and not on the medal.''

The Colombians are the only ones with Olympic aspirations here. The Americans on hand are all out of contention for one of the coveted spots on the national team.

The top Grand Prix contenders start with Aaron Vale, who has ruled Salem the past two years. The latest of Vale's exploits was his 1-2 finish in the Open, first on Big Joe and second on Mafito. A year ago, Vale won the Open on Mafito and the Prix on Alfredo. This year, he's turning Alfredo over to his owner, Brooke Walton, who will ride him tonight. Vale will ride Big Joe and Mafito.

Others to keep an eye on include England's Vickie Miller on Catch A Wave, a horse she rode to a runner-up finish in the Welcome.

Another contender will be amateur Robin Sweely, who rode Showman to the championship at the Upperville Grand Prix several weeks ago. She'll also ride Landsohn.

Todd Minikus is always a threat. He rode Ravel to third in the Open on Thursday.

Others to watch include Elizabeth Solter, a two-time winner at the Pennsylvania Grand Prix, an indoor event in tight quarters similar to Salem; Mark Leone, who will have two horses; and former Canadian Olympian Harold Chopping.

LENGTH: Medium:   63 lines
ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO:  ERIC BRADY/Staff. Aaron Vale rides Big Joe over the 
          final jump to a first-place finish Thursday in the Open Jumper 
          Stakes at the Roanoke Valley Horse Show. Vale is the favorite in 
          tonight's Grand Prix. color.