The trade show was really an added plus to tour through. One of thirty booths at the Gallop Trade Show, this booth was, "de Colors." Photo by Kathy Sauther |
The trade-show was a shopper's delight! Over thirty booths displayed tack, silver, feed products, horse crafts, custom showring clothes, breed registries, jewelry, chaps, buckles, beautiful prints and original art paintings, bronze sculptures, tail wraps, sleezes, construction of pole metal buildings, specialty signs & designs, Nikken magnetic products, horse health supplies, custom leather work, a Veterinarian Equine Hospital, horse T-shirts, sweatshirts, figurines, collectors books, limited edition prints, LMF Feeds, livestock panels, western stores, vinyl fencing, discounted horse trailers, Horse Previews Magazine, galvanized fence products, stall flooring, training and boarding facilities, Gallop stallion owners, Super Sweats, and Professional Choice products. The trade show also included "Elvis" Live Productions, and one of Gallop's biggest Sponsor's 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 County Fair & Expo Center's indoor arena was once again transformed into a breathtaking sight! Arrangements decorated by sponsors Ray & Judy Apfelbaum of "Wildflowers Florist," simulated a fireworks display bursting from above the drape line, and starbursts dropping from the stage to the floor in luxuriant fresh yellow cut flowers. Green fern with the most beautiful bright glittering yellow ribbon was in each arrangement. Floral bouquets lined the backdrops above and below the staging area. Green turf and a tastefully curtained backdrop outlined with floral arrangements. Eight-pointed glittered gold stars on center stage, with five-pointed colored glittery stars on the outer curtains, elegantly decorated the staging area. Twinkling foot lights brought the stage alive as they danced around keeping time to the live music being played. Icicle lights twinkled from high above each curtain line. In the center of the staging area, chandeliers hung high atop the arena with a five-pointed star twinkling bright above the audience. 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 action from the arena playing on the screens. Three thirty-foot towers held the spotlights that would highlight each stallion as he passed through the arena. Live music was 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 board chairman, "John Baker," and Gallop Coordinator Barb Turner educating the public on Wishing Star's mission. Photo by Kathy Sauther |
A great quartet - The Lundberg Brothers - were back again to kick off the opening of Gallop '99. Wishing Star's Chairman Of The Board - John Baker, spoke to the audience about Wishing Star's mission and how "wishes" are accomplished. His speech was clear, precise, informative, an entertaining. Many were unaware that as well as the Chairman of the Board, he is also a "Wish" parent.
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.
Big "D" Blanket for 1999. Worn by World Champion Stallion "Super Far Out." Photo by Kathy Sauther. |
Before the preview parade started, Gallop Coordinator Barbara Turner gave a special presentation of the tenth anniversary of the Big "D" Blankets donated. What a treat it was to watch this tribute! Nine collector's blankets had been located from buyers over the years. Each blanket was carried into the arena by two people, while the ten-foot screens ran video of each blanket sported by a stallion. At the end of the presentation, World Champion Paint Horse Stallion, "Super Far Out" came flying into the arena wearing the 1999 collectors blanket.
This year's blanket brought a touch of the great Northwest. A herd of mares standing in a field with snow capped mountains in the background and the moon shining with Wishing Star Gallop's logo. The bottom back corner of the blanket had Wishing Star's dove logo holding a star in its mouth. Within the star it read, "Limited Edition - the year - and number." Below all the art work in fuchsia read, "Wishing Star Gallop." The collector's limited edition Big "D" blankets have intricate detail which ensures their value.
That evening over the course of the auction, the first blanket was purchased for $800, and the third blanket was purchased for $700 by Dave Boles of Mead, Washington. Blanket number two was sold to Susan Stevenson of Chattaroy, Washington for $875. These three collector blankets brought in a total of $2,375 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.
Preview Parade with World Champion "Super Far Out." Owned by Ken & Carol Russell of Klamath Falls, Oregon. Photo by Kathy Sauther. |
The 1999 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 stallion row at the World Shows. The Stallion Preview Parade was exciting, as always. Along with the spotlights, videos on the big screens, live music and commentating, it was scintillating to see the finest stallions offering services in today's market!
Several stallion services sold for over their normal standing fees. Many sold for their normal standing fees. Naturally the children were the incentive for many.
