Making "Special" Childrens' Dreams A Reality
by Barbara Turner - Gallop Coordinator

With quite impressive show records, this year's Gallop has 47 stallions participating from Washington, Texas, California, Michigan, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Wyoming, Oregon, Kansas, and Idaho. Stallion breeding fees range from $500 to $4,500 per service. This year's event has a total of one National Champion, fourteen World Champions (three are two-time World Champions, and one other that is a six-time World Champion). Additionally, we have seven Reserve World Champions, three APHA Champions, one APHA Versatility Award Winner, one #2 Lifetime APHA Performance Earning Stallion, sixteen on the "Top Ten Leading Sires List" of their breed registry, ten AQHA Congress Winners, one Reserve AQHA Congress Winner, two NRHA Derby Champions, three NRCHA World Champions, two NRHA World Champions, twenty-four Superior Stallions (one holds eleven Superiors, another holds five Superiors), and twenty-seven World Qualifying Stallion's (several being multiple qualifiers).

Over sixty percent of our stallions in the line-up will be previewed live under the spotlights at 2 pm. The balance will be viewed on ten-foot screens in a separate preview parade to kick off at 1 pm. 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 are looking at transported semen be sure to contact those stallion owners prior to the event and find out what your transport costs will be. Also, check on what their "Live Foal Guarantee" consists of. Our commercial trade show opens to the public at 1pm and runs throughout the event. In this issue of Horse Previews, check out the Trade Show layout for additional information on who and what will be there - then stop by the booths, shop and visit with several of the horse related exhibitors.

For all you sports enthusiasts, 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, who coached the team from 1979 to 1987 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. Raiders who had just won the Super Bowl that year. Before we could even finish making the arrangements; Curt was on a plane to come visit Michael.

You will all have a chance to meet Curt. He looks forward to returning to the Gallop stage to commentate with Gallop Coordinator Barbara Turner and Cat Country 94 Disc Jockey, Jim Diamond! Don't hesitate to stop Curt, say hello, and get an autograph.

We are kicking off this year's opening ceremony with a twist. This year marks the 20th Anniversary for the Gallop, and we are doing something different and very special. Wishing Star is proud to share with you one of it's rising bright stars, wish child, Brandin Hugley. Brandin resides in the state of Oregon. Battling cancer, his wish was for professional recording equipment to cut his own CD's. Yes, at the age (now) of fourteen, Brandin's life long dream is to become a Country Western singer. He has been singing on stage, at private lodges, and clubs since the tender age of seven. His father Ron (whom plays guitar) has been in the music industry for 38 years. He along with other family members have appeared with such greats as: Buck Owens, George Jones, Brenda Lee, Hank Snow, Wayne Stewart, Bobby Bear, and Johnny Cash. Following in the footsteps of his talented father and other family members, Brandin plays drums and shares the mic as lead singer of his family's band. "It was Vince Gill who inspired him, says Brandin's Dad. His hope is to someday be as good as him. We think he can do it!" Wishing Star is excited to share it's Gallop stage (for all of you) with this very talented young man, well on his way to making his mark in the Country music Industry. His voice will amaze you, his talent is overwhelming! Sit back and enjoy this upcoming rising star ... Brandin Hugley. Brandin will kick off the Opening Ceremony right after the preview parade of our stallions. We guarantee you; he is something you will not want to miss!

Be prepared to bring the camera as Darik Anderson returns to our Gallop event performing the finale of the Opening Ceremony with his equine friends, back by popular demand. Watch as he impresses hundreds of people attending this year's event with his freestyle liberty performance. When his equine friends fly into the arena with nothing but Darik Anderson's voice to guide them, you will be introduced to the most outstanding freestyle liberty performance in the United States. The devotion expected from these equine friends will fill the arena as they respond to Darik's call. Possessing superb skills Darik Anderson, is an accomplished horseman in several disciplines. Darik 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. Like the movie, "Horse Whisperer", some people have accused Darik of using mental telepathy because he communicates so well with animals, but he says it is not so. You be the judge! Come visit with Darik and bring your Gallop program along to get it autograph. Once again, 2002 brings together the "Children" and the "Horse Industry" in a beautiful production number. This presentation will be performed after Brandin and right before Darik Anderson's performance. The stage will be filled with special effects and area talent, and you will have a chance to meet some of our Wishing Star children.

New to the stage this year comes, actress/singer Valerie Stichweh. She will be on stage to sing and perform with our "Ambassador of Good Will" for Gallop 2002. Having Valerie on our stage is an honor. She is a charismatic, uniquely dynamic vocalist. Unique in the fact that she delivers a great song list of Adult Contemporary, Country, Classic Rock, and Motown to Christian Music. With her wide variety and versatility of style and range, Valerie has opened for national acts such as Big House, Freddie Fender, Doug Supernaw, and Sherrie Austin. Valerie was the winner of the 96 Frog FM, and Jimmy Dean Regional Talent Contest. She was also selected to sing on TNN's Charlie Daniel's Talent Roundup. She has done studio work for V.U. Music, associated with NBC, ABC, and CBS. Valerie has been the featured act at Silverwood Theme Park, and has performed at local venues such as the West Coast Hotels, West Coast Grand Hotels, Pig Out In The Park, and the Fourth of July festival in River Front Park. Maybe her voice will sound familiar to you as she performs the National Anthem for the Spokane Indians. She is currently working on a Christian album. Her love of children and singing is a winning combination and Wishing Star wanted her to appear in celebrating Gallop's 20th Year Anniversary. Nothing should be missed at this event, but these production numbers are a definite must see! Do not miss out on the opportunity to breed to some of the world's finest! Mail, phone, and Internet bids will be accepted through the night before the sale - August 16th. For phone in bids the day of the sale - August 17th, our phone number at the Fairgrounds office is 509/477-1432.

If you missed out on the opportunity to buy a Big "D" collector's blanket, now is the time to start saving. We are honored that Big "D" has chosen to support our foundation and Gallop. Limited Edition Blankets will once again be auctioned off at the event. Big "D" does not offer this anywhere else in the United States. Here in the Northwest and around the United States, those who own a blanket from previous years are very fortunate, as they have become sought-after collector items. Being non-stocked blankets, this is the twelfth year these collector blankets have been offered. These blankets are quality above the "All American" blanket. This year's limited edition blanket will feature a custom design by artist Tod Locke. The 2002 design brings forth one of the most dramatic designs ever created. It is Gallop's tribute to those lost on September 11th. Looking at the blanket you will see New York City's skyline at night with the Twin Towers set in front of a bright moon. The American flag sits behind the towers waving in the background. High above the flagpole is Wishing Star's logo looking out over the city. Underneath is embroidered, "In memory of Sept. 11, 2001" Wishing Star Gallop. The bottom back corner of the blanket will have Wishing Star Gallop's logo. Below the logo it will read, "Limited Edition Collector's Blanket, donated by Big "D" Products - One of two - 2002". Careful detail has gone into each blanket. In their desire to grant wishes for our children, artist Tod Locke and Glenn Drake, of Big "D" Blankets, have created a design that is unique each year. The retail value of each blanket is $800. Look at them at the event and see for yourself, it has got to be one the most creative ever offered.

We also have several "non stallion service" auctioned items that we are very excited to offer. Are you a collector of items that are of rare opportunities? Cat Country 94 has donated a "Star Guitar" for Wishing Star Gallop. This "Gibson Epiphone Guitar" will be auctioned off during the event and on display in the "Cat Country 94" booth at the trade show. The "Star Guitar" has been autographed by some of country music's biggest stars, including: Lila McCann, Collin Raye, The Kinleys, Faith Hill, Rascal Flats Band, Montgomery Gentry, Chad Brock, Trisha Yearwood, and Glenn Campell. Thank you Cat Country!

Are you looking for brand new tack? Is English your forte? The Tack Trunk has graciously donated a saddle package to Wishing Star this year. This exciting package is part of the Big Horn/Crump Renaissance Collection. It is a beautiful Crump Royal by Zaldi, all-purpose English saddle featuring a spring tree with recessed stirrup bars. It is made of smooth leather, havana in color, has matching padded knee panels, a contour knee roll and calf block, with a 32 cm soft deep 17 1/2 inch seat, on a quarter horse tree. In addition to the saddle, this package will include the leathers, irons, girth, and pad. Thank you Tack Truck (and Tom Buyze from Big Horn/Crump), for helping to make this package possible in making dreams come true! Thinking about going to the APHA, ApHC, AQHA World Show, Arabian US Nationals, Scottsdale, or maybe a non-horsy event like Disney World in Florida? Here is an opportunity...Southwest Airlines has donated two round trip tickets - anywhere in the U.S. These tickets are valid for travel through 2003 with no exceptions.

For all you Halter, or Lunge Line enthusiasts, Horse & Habit Inc. of Greenacres, WA, has donated a beautiful Congress Cut show halter made by the Big Horn Company of Chattanooga, TN. This top quality leather show halter is in a lustrous mahogany color featuring unique hand engraved silver decorating the cheeks, and noseband with buckle, keeper and tip accents at the poll strap on each side. Included in this package is a matching leather show lead, and a halter bag by Big "D" Products. Super Sweats adds to this package with their trade mark working neck sweat, 5 inch working throat latch sweat, a sleazy, and Super Sweat Show Ready Conditioner.

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!! Wishing Star is pleased to introduce, through Horse Previews, our Wishing Star Gallop Ambassador of Good Will for 2002, Patty Jo. Patty Jo is looking forward to seeing all of you at this year's event. She is a four-year-old who is battling Leukemia. Her wish is for a black horse! Be sure to give her a warm round of applause as she enters the arena for a production number, which highlights this very special young girl! 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 grateful to Horse Previews assistant editor Chris, for the opportunity she has provided us. When at Gallop, stop by the Horse Previews booth in the Trade Show and visit with Chris or Helen and the rest of the staff! I hope to see you all at the Gallop Stallion Service Auction on Saturday, August 17th 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 #2, Spokane, WA 99201