Fifteenth Annual Year
Making "Special" Childrens' Dreams A Reality
Submitted by Barbara Turner - Gallop Coordinator
With quite impressive show records, this year's Gallop has 43 stallions participating from Washington, Montana, California, Texas, Michigan, Wisconsin, Oregon, Minnesota, Idaho, and Arizona. Stallion breeding fees offered range from $500. to $5,000. a service. This year's event has a total of 7 - National Champions (one which holds five alone); 5 - Reserve National Champions (one which holds seven alone); 8 - World Champions (four whom are two-time World Champions - one who is a five- time World Champion); 2 - Reserve World Champions; 10 - Canadian National Champions, 5 - Reserve Canadian National Champions; 5 - Scottsdale Champions; 2 - Reserve Scottsdale Champions; 11 - Regional Champions (one which holds 57 Regional and 324 achievements awards alone); 4 APHA Champions; 1 - APHA Versatility Award Winner; 1 - #2 Lifetime APHA Performance Earning Stallion; 11 - on the "Top Ten Leading Sires List" of their breed registry; 4 - AQHA Congress Winner; 1 - NRHA Champion; 1 - Reserve NRCHA Champion; 1 NRHA Derby Champion; 1 - NCHA Derby Champion: 1- NCHA Futurity Champion; 1 - NCHA Horse of the Year; 14 - Superior Stallions (one which holds 11 Superiors himself), and 18 World Qualifying Stallions (several being multiple qualifier's themselves).
Over sixty percent of our stallions in the line-up will be previewed under the spotlights. The balance will be viewed on ten foot screens. Be sure to visit with these stallions and their owners who will be located around the grounds and at their stalls. This is a time when you can do some homework on the mare care facilities, costs, and breeding procedures of stallions and ranches that are on your list. It also gives you an opportunity to take a good look at these stallions close up. If you're looking at transported semen be sure to contact the stallion's owners prior to the event and find out what your transport costs are going to run. Check on what their "live foal' guarantee consists of. Our commercial trade show opens to the public at 1:00 P.M. and runs throughout the event. In this issue of "Horse Previews," check out the Trade Show layout for additional information on what and whom will be there - then stop by the booths, shop, and visit with several horse related exhibitors.
For all you sports enthusiast, back by popular demand will be "Curt Marsh," a seven year starter at offensive guard for the Los Angeles Raiders and member of the 1983 Super Bowl Championship team. Tom Flores, former Raider quarterback, whom coached the team from 1979 to '87 and is now coach of the Seattle Seahawks said, "By the end of Curt's college career he stood 6'5", weighed 285 pounds and had a 52-inch chest. He was on every NFL team's wish list. He was the guy we wanted. We liked Curt's size, and thickness. Everything about him. We wanted him first and (future Hall of Fame defensive end) Howie Long second. That says a lot." Curt was involved in one of Wishing Star's first "wishes." A young man who wanted to meet one of the L.A. Raider's whom had just won the Super Bowl that year. Before we could even finish making the arrangements, Curt was on a plane to come visit with Michael.
You'll all have a chance to meet Curt, as he looks forward to returning to the Gallop stage to commentate with Gallop Coordinator Barbara Turner, and KRDK's Disc Jockey - Jim Diamond! Don't hesitate to stop Curt, say hello, and get an autograph.
Be prepared to bring the camera as Bryan Smith returns to perform the Opening Ceremony with his Arabian mare, "JM Tatami." This beautiful mare will once again impress hundreds of people attending this year's event with her graceful, athletic dressage maneuvers under saddle and free style liberty performance.
JM Tatami - an Al Khamsa Egyptian mare - is a Class "A" halter winner and dressage horse. She is also the dam of several Champions with State, Regional, and World Class honors to their credit. Possessed by superb skills "Tatami's" trainer and handler is Bryan Smith, an accomplished horseman in several disciplines. Bryan has been working for some time with the concept of communicating with horses through their own language, as wild horses would with each other in a natural herd. "Tatami" is owned by Haddad Izba Arabians in Enumclaw, Washington.
Stop by and visit the Haddad Izba Arabian booth, visit with Bryan, and ask him to autograph your Gallop Program. The Opening Ceremony will take place after the preview parade of our stallions. We guarantee you, it's something you will not want to miss!
Once again, 1997 brings together the "Children" and the "Horse Industry" in a beautiful executed production number. This presentation will be performed after Bryan Smith's Opening Ceremony, right before the auction begins. The stage will be filled with special effects and area talent, and you will have a chance to meet some very special children. Actress/Singer April Vogel will return to the stage to perform this number and a performance with our very special "Ambassador of Good Will" for Gallop 1997. Nothing should be missed at this event, but these production numbers are a definite "must" to see!
In Patrick & Lisa's Swayze's compassion for the wishes of children with life threatening illnesses - once again - Patrick has autographed an - art gallery - framed poster of he and his stallion "Tammen," to be auctioned off the night of the event! You need not be present to bid on this collector's piece or any of the stallion services. This opportunity will be a rare one for Patrick Swayze fans all around the world, and at the same time raise money for children with uncertain tomorrows. As with all of our donors, Wishing Star is indebted to Patrick and Lisa Swayze in their desire to help us for the fourth year. Don't miss out on the opportunity to breed to some of the world's finest! Mail or Phone in bids will be accepted through the actual night of the sale. Our phone number at the Fairgrounds office the day of the event - August 16th - is 534-1432.
If you missed out on the opportunity to buy a Big "D" collector's blanket last year, now's the time to start saving. Honored that Big "D" has chosen to support our foundation and Gallop, "Limited Edition Blankets" will once again be auctioned off at the event. Nowhere in the United States will there be this offer by Big "D."
We here in the Northwest and around the United States that own one from previous years are very fortunate. They have become sought after collector items. Being non-stocked blankets, these collector's items will be the eighth set of blankets hoped to be offered each year. A top of the line design by artist Tod Locke, quality above the "All American," these limited edition blankets will be made with never before seen custom work and design. The Gallop logos will be in four colors, and the bottom lefthand corner will read, "Limited Edition Collector's Blanket, donated by Big "D" Blankets - One of three - 1997." Careful detail has gone into each blanket.
Each year artist Tod Locke and Glenn Drake of Big "D" Blankets creates something that's so unique in their desire to grant wishes for our children. The retail value of these blankets are $700. Take a look at the event and see for yourself - these have got to be one the most "creative" blankets ever to be offered!
We also have several "non stallion service" auctioned items that we are very excited to offer. Southwest Airlines has donated two round trip tickets - anywhere in the U.S. that they travel! These tickets will be good for travel through September 1998. No black out dates. Thinking about going the APHA, ApHC, AQHA World Show, Arabian US. Nationals, Scottsdale, or maybe a non horsey event like Disneyworld in Florida? Here's an opportunity! Have you been thinking about upgrading your landscaping, adding to the value of your home, or looking to enjoyed your time at home? Allied Cedar Products is donating a Gazebo that retails for $848.45. It stands 10 x 10, and will be erected at the Gallop event for you to view, bid on, and take home. Do you need another pen for that extra horse, or maybe just the ones you already own? Wings Fencing will (once again) be donating their 12 x 12, 5 by 5 bar corralled paneled pen with a Super Bow Gate. Are you looking for brand name working products for training? Then the "Trainers Package" - that Al Randall has been putting together for years now - is the package for you. Super Sweats, Pros Choice, Ortho-Flex, Vita Flex, and Lexington Safety Products have all been past sponsors of this package. Offering you the most noted and popular products they have to offer! If you're trying to finish off that barn, or update what you have, Iron Horse Construction (Gary Johnson), offers once again his custom, finest iron framed, centered tongue and groove lumber, removable yoke that allows a horse to hang its head out, stall door! Wishing Star is indebted to all the above donors (along with our sponsors and stallion donors), in their compassion to help make wishes come true!!
Last but not least, Wishing Star is pleased to introduce - through "Horse Previews" - our Wishing Star Gallop Ambassador of Good Will for 1997, "Chris Taylor." Chris is looking forward to seeing you all at this years event. He is an eleven-year-old, who has Spina Bifida. Chris' wish came true in 1995 when he wished to go to Disneyworld.
Be sure to give him a warm round of applause, as he debuts in Dale Brannon's horse drawn vehicle - driven by Jerry Allen - in a production number which limelights this very special young man!
Wishing Star thanks, HORSE PREVIEWS MAGAZINE for graciously letting us better educate the public on our auction and its foundation. Calls have come in from everywhere. We are indebted to Editor, "Helen Boyd," for the opportunity she's provided us. When at Gallop, stop by the "Horse Previews" booth in the Trade Show and visit with Helen and the rest of the staff!
I hope to see you all at the "Gallop Stallion Service Auction" on Saturday, August 16th to help support these children in a "Fun" raising event. See you all there!
For more information about Gallop or the Wishing Star Foundation, please call Barbara Turner at 509-466-8719 or write to:
Wishing Star Foundation
c/o Barbara Turner
W. 915 2nd Ave., Suite #3
Spokane, WA 99204
