Abingon Youth Finds Fun And Adventure On Race Track And Horse Ring

BY ALLEN GREGORY
BRISTOL HERALD COURIER

ABINGDON, Va. – Cortney Roark follows a fast path to adventure.

Over the past two years, the 12-year-old Abingdon resident has crashed a race car head-on, fallen off a horse and competed in one of the most prestigious equine competitions in the world. Roark also plays trombone in the E.B. Stanley Middle School band, competes in a variety of sports and maintains sterling grades.

“It’s one thing after the other each day. I wouldn’t trade my experiences for anything in the world, though,” Roark said.

For horse lovers, few experiences can rival the All American Quarter Horse Congress. The event, held last month at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, is billed as the world’s largest single-breed horse show in the world with hundreds of competitors and over 12,000 horses.

“It was a pretty amazing event,” Roark said. “I was a little intimidated when I first took my horse in the ring, but I worked hard to prepare and I was confident.”

Despite being the youngest entrant in her class, Roark earned a fourth-place finish in the two-year-old Youth Gelding category. Abingdon area resident Matt Nash competed in the same class as Roark.

“I’ve shown horses for five years, but I was surprised to do that well,” Roark said. “I think the oldest person in my class was 18.”

Roark trains under the experienced and patient watch of Kyle Hughes in Meadowview. According to Roark, there is no shortcut to success in the horse world. It’s all about establishing a rapport with the horse, then learning and refining the right technique.

“It’s important to listen to your trainer and follow their advice,” Roark said. “I usually go straight to the barn after school and ride for a couple hours. I want to learn all I can.”

Roark traces her hobby back to a magical Christmas morning when she was six.

“My father bought me my first horse that year,” Roark said. “I’ve been riding and showing horses ever since. It’s been fun.”

Roark has also finished among the top 10 in her class at the famed American Quarter Horse Youth World in Oklahoma City.
Somehow, Roark has also found time to pursue another form of horsepower. She competed this season in the entry-level Pure 4 division at Lonesome Pine Raceway in Coeburn. 

The differences between racing stock cars and showing horses are vast, yet Roark has gleaned one common thread.

“The race car and horse both have minds of their own,” Roark said. “You have to be careful.”

And Roark has learned that lesson the hard way. While Roark posted a top eight finish in her first race at Lonesome Pine, she’s also endured some learning curves.

“I’ve been in two wrecks,” Roark said. “The first one came when I drove out of a turn a little too hard. I ended up hitting the wall. That kind of jarred me a little bit. I’ve also got hit by two cars once.”

Roark is not lacking for mentors at LPR. Her father Jeff owns the scenic asphalt track and is a former racer. Meanwhile, her 16-year-old brother, Caleb, has raced for several years and currently ranks fourth in the International Sport Compact Auto Racing Series point standings. When his schedule allows, Caleb serves as the spotter for his sister.

“Caleb tries to help me,” Roark said. “I’d love to race him someday to see who is best.”

Kim Roark marvels at the ambition of her daughter, who admits to being fearless. Roark even made her debut Oct. 24 in the fast Modified 4 class at LPR. 

“I do a little get nervous watching Cortney, but she’s level headed and a good listener,” Kim said. “It’s pretty incredible how she’s able to balance everything.”
Cortney recently received a jolt after her horse became spooked by a longhorn steer.
“It all happened real sudden,” Roark said. “My horse took a step backward and I just kind of tumbled backwards.”

That incident did not dampen Roark’s enthusiasm for horses. In December, she will show her new horse in the four-year-old Gelding class.

“I want to major in equine studies some day at Virginia Tech, and maybe take over ownership of Lonesome Pine Raceway,” said Roark, whose family owns four horses.

For now, Roark is content to follow her multi-faceted adventures.

“I spend my weekdays with school and horses, and go to the track on the weekends,” Roark said. “I’m very tired at the end of the week, but it’s all worth it.”

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