Former jockey now rides in style

Press, 31 May 1977, Page 25

Former jockey now rides in style

There are no tine racehorses in Fiji—at least not of the winning breed that Lester Stock once rode to victory around the racetracks of New Zealand. But few visitors to Lester’s modest home in Korotoga could fail to recognise that their convivial host is still very much a horseman at heart.

‘ His lounge is adorned with memories of a decade ago — trophies, photographs. saddlecloths, harness remnants, and the whip that Bill Skelton gave .him when he was an apprentice in South Canterbury 20 years ago. “Bill said it was too heavy for him and I . used it for most of my career,” Lester recalled a little nostalgically.

A son of a former well-known ’Geraldine horse trainer, P. H. C. Stock. J-ester retired prematurely from a successful riding career in the late 19605. He joined the crew of a vacht, sailed for the tropics, and found in Fiji the sort of life he loved so well; the challenge of the high country in the island’s centre that provides, for those tough and fit enough to conquer it, a refuge from the balmy, tiring heat of the coastal plains.

Lester soon got to know every valley and peak, tarn and stream. He hunted wild pigs and fished for fresh-water prawns. He earned the acceptance of isolated villagers. “I was often away

for several weeks at a time; I used to be very fit,” he added almost apologetically.

Before long he realised that a living could be earned by taking tourists to these out-of-the-way places. Lester thought of organising horse treks, but later dismissed the idea as impractical because of the unfavourable climate and the toughness of the terrain.

Sturdy mini-buses would be the answer, Lester believed; all he needed was the capital to buy them. So, four years ago, he returned to New Zealand with his attractive Indian wife, Lois, and son Philip, and “worked very hard” as an agricultural contractor.

The family had increased to a foursome by the time they returned to Korotoga in March last year with sufficient money to establish “Armchair Safaris” — the'first business of its type in Fiji to use mini-buses.

The venture proved so successful that Lester has since extended the tours from the confines of the beautiful Sigatoka valley to a round-the-island service. He employs a staff of

10 and has just taken delivery of a new 44-seat coach.

Lester has also opened a souvenir shop (managed by Lois) in nearby Sigatoka which offers tourists not only Fijian handicrafts, but a selection imported from Tonga as well.

What of the future? Does this fourtimes winner (in succession) of the Nelson Cup and former South Island representative show-jumper miss the beat of hooves on the turf and the roar of punters?

“Yes. a little,” Lester confessed. “Maybe I’ll return to work with horses again one day, but right now I’m happy running this business. The fact that it is successful is all that matters . .

The picture shows Lester and Lois Stock with their sons, Simon (left) and Philip, at Sigatoka.