Gallop Coordinator, Barbara Turner credits its success to the "children" of Wishing Star. "The weather couldn't have been better," said Barb Turner. "People were outside viewing the stallions, eating at the American Italian Club Restaurant, touring the commercial booths, or waiting patiently in the stands to witness the next entertainment on the agenda. From general admission to special donations and contributions, all in attendance were supporting these children in one way or another."
The trade-show was a shopper's delight! Over thirty-five booths displayed tack, silver, feed products, horse crafts, custom showring clothes, jewelry, chaps, buckles, bronze & art sculptures, specialty liners for pick-up beds and horse trailers, equine insurance, specialty signs & designs, Nikken magnetic products, horse health supplies, custom barn builders, George Gee trucks, livestock panels, western stores, vinyl fencing, discounted horse trailers, Horse Previews Magazine, galvanized fence products, stall flooring, training and boarding facility, Gallop stallion owners, Super Sweats, and Professional Choice products. The trade show also included one of Gallop's biggest sponsors and Spokane's best known Country Western Station - KDRK/94FM . From the KDRK booth, live coverage was being broadcasted from the event, as their disc jockey - Jim Diamond commentated on stage with Gallop Coordinator Barbara Turner, and former L.A. Raider, Curt Marsh.
The Spokane Interstate Fairgrounds indoor arena was once again transformed into a breathtaking arena! Arrangements decorated by sponsors Ray & Judy Apfelbaum of "Wildflowers," simulated a fireworks display bursting from above the drape line, and starbursts dropping from the stage to the floor, in luxuriant scarlet red, pink, and yellow fresh carnations, with green fern and the most beautiful, bright, yellow, large Sunflowers in all the arrangements. Floral bouquets lined the fencing near the audience with ribbons strung from fence to fence. Green turf and a tastefully curtained backdrop outlined with floral arrangements, glittered gold stars on center stage, and five glittered stars on the outer curtains elegantly decorated the staging area. Twinkling footlights brought the stage alive as they danced around keeping time to the live music being played. Above, chandeliers hung high from atop the arena with a star shining brightly above the center of the stage. So as not to miss anything happening in the arena, the professional touch of two ten foot screens - one on each side of the stage - gave the audience the opportunity to see live video playing on the screens. Three thirty-foot towers held the spotlights that highlighted each stallion as he passed through the arena. Live music played throughout the event, and commentators were dressed in tuxes or glittering diamond gowns as the stallions pranced through drawn back sheer drapes to make their entrances.
Wishing Star's Executive Director - Doug Raper - came on stage and spoke to the audience about Wishing Star's mission and how "wishes" are done. Once again, the Wishing Star Big "D" Blankets were a draw and interest at the event! Since 1990 Glenn Drake, owner of Big "D" Blankets - a business that is ranked number #1 in the world for horse blankets - came up with the idea to make a collector's blanket which would help to make "special" children's dreams a reality. These Limited Edition Blankets auctioned off each year were not being offered anywhere else in the United States by Big "D" Products. They were in four colors, with a special design created by an artist locally here in the area - Mr. Tod Locke. This year's blanket sported a snaffle bid with Gallops' horse logos inside each "D" ring with Wishing Star's flying dove in the center of the bit holding a star in its mouth. Sitting below the snaffle bit was block lettering, "Wishing Star Gallop." Every detail to assure the blankets of value as a collector limited edition blanket was done by Big "D". Left hand bottom corners read "Big "D" Limited Edition - the year - and number," next to a two sided blanket design, with the well noted Big "D" quality workmanship.
That evening over the course of the auction, three sold to Dave Boles of Mead, Wa and one to Susan Stevenson and Dale Borders of Chattaroy, Wa. They sold between $400 and $750. A special blanket (that was purchased in 1994) was donated back to Wishing Star from Sherri Filler and Dexco, Inc. It sold for $650. - one of the three that Dave Boles purchased. These three collector blankets (including the fourth one Shari Filler donated back) brought in a total of $2,200 for Wishing Star children! Wishing Star is indebted to this remarkably dedicated man, Mr. Glenn Drake, owner of Big "D" Blankets. In a world filled with request for donations from Big "D" Blankets, we feel very honored and privileged that Mr. Drake's compassion for our cause has given us his continued support.
The 1996 line-up of stallions being offered in the sale this year was very impressive! Stallion services were offered from around the United States. Many were World, National, Congress, Regional, and International Champions. What a delight to see the finest stallions standing in the World! Stalls were decorated like a stallion row at the World Shows. The Stallion Preview Parade was exciting, as always. Along with the spotlights, live music and commentating, it was scintillating to see the finest stallions offering services in today's market!
The preview parade ended with a video tape that was created by actor "Patrick Swayze," featuring he and his stallion "Tammen." The tape was made for presentation of his stallion at the Gallop event. It was exciting, and the drop of a pin could be heard amongst the audience as they watched, captivated by his video. Later in the sale, Patrick Swayze's poster, art framed by Pacific Flyway Gallery was auctioned off. He had signed a personal message, "Dare To Dream.... Love, Patrick Swayze." It sold for $400 to Mikki Koplin of Parma, Idaho.
Several stallion services sold for over their normal standing fees. Some sold for their normal standing fees. Naturally the children were the incentive for many.
All photographs taken by Kathy Sauther.
