AUGUST 1999 BACK ISSUE
Part of Horse Previews Magazine website. Posted on 08/06/99; 2:00:00PM.
Seventeenth Annual WISHING STAR GALLOP
Making "Special" Children's Dreams A RealitySubmitted by Barbara Turner - Gallop Coordinator
With quite impressive show records, this year's Gallop has 42 stallions participating from Washington, Montana, Texas, Oklahoma, Illinois, Michigan, Louisiana, Utah, Oregon, Minnesota, Idaho, and Arizona. Stallion breeding fees range between $500 to $5,000 per service. This year's event has a total of ten National Champions (one holds five National titles, another holds four), nine Reserve National Champions (one holds seven alone), fourteen World Champions (three are two-time World Champions - one is a five-time World Champion). Four Reserve World Champions, nine Canadian National Champions, three Reserve Canadian National Champions; two U.S. National Champions, two U.S. Reserve National Champions, five Scottsdale Champions, two Reserve Scottsdale Champions and eleven Regional Champions (one which holds 65 Regional and 1,280 achievements awards alone). Four APHA Champions, one APHA Versatility Award Winner, one #2 Lifetime APHA Performance Earning Stallion, twelve on the "Top Ten Leading Sires List" of their breed registry. Six AQHA Congress Winner, one Reserve AQHA Congress Winner, one NRHA Champion, one NRHA Derby Champion, one NRHA Saddlesmith Open Champion, sixteen Superior Stallions (one holds eleven Superiors himself), and twenty-one 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 2:00 p.m. The balance will be viewed on ten foot screens in a separate preview parade to kick off the event at 1:00 p.m. 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 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 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 who and what will be there - then stop by the booths, shops, and visit with several of the 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 Angles Raiders and member of the 1983 Super Bowl Championship team. Also, Tom Flores, former Raider quarterback, who coached the team from 1979 to 1987; currently 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. 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'll all have a chance to meet Curt. 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.
We're kicking off this year's opening ceremony with "Elvis" in the house! Elvis Wendlandt, a Spokane Valley man, is keeping the "Elvis" name alive. This magnificent, talented impersonator has a voice identical to Elvis, and he has gained the admiration of many throughout the West Coast and Las Vegas. He has developed a mystique that truly brings back memories, from his first performance at a small convention to co-starring with Dan Cortese on MTV Sports. He has been seen by over 240 million people worldwide since 1995, including a clip on CNN that aired in 1997. If you have not seen "Elvis" on his interviews on the television stations KXLY, KHQ and KIRO, or haven't heard him from live remotes for KDRK, Oldies 101, 93 ZOO FM or Rock 106, here is your opportunity to sit back and be joyfully entertained. "Elvis" provides quality family entertainment that pleases the young and the young-at-heart. Don't forget to stop by for a visit at the "Elvis" booth; bring home some of his souvenirs or look for "Elvis" to autograph your Gallop Souvenir Program! "Elvis" will kick off the Opening Ceremony right after the preview parade of our stallions. We guarantee you, he's something you won't 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 new friend, a black and white Paint Horse Stallion, Chrome. Back again by popular demand. Watch this team impress hundreds of people attending this year's event with their free style liberty performance. When this stallion flies into the arena with nothing but Darik Anderson's voice to guide him, you will be introduced to the most outstanding freestyle liberty performance in the United States. The devotion expected from the black & white Paint stallion will fill the arena as Chrome responds to Darik's call. The two will capture the hearts of breeders and spectators across the country. Chrome's ability to relax and trust people is an attitude which will amaze many people. Possessing superb skills Chrome's trainer and handler, 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 isn't so. You be the judge!
A special guest appearance will debut this year prior to Darik Anderson's performance. An apprentice of Darik's will perform a liberty performance with his rare-known breed registered stallion. His stallion is only one of a handful of this breed located in the United States. Don't miss out!! Stop by the Equestrian Enrichment booth, or visit with Chrome and ask Darik to autograph your Gallop Program.
Once again, 1999 brings together the "Children" and the "Horse Industry" in a beautiful executed production number. This presentation will be performed after "Elvis" 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 Wishing Star this year, is actress/singer Julie Powell. She will be on stage to sing and perform with our "Ambassador of Good Will" for Gallop 1999. Having Julie on our stage is an honor. She has appeared in several professional musical theatres in performances of Carrousel; Baby; Lend Me A Tenor; Big River; Pirates Of Penzance; Little Shop Of Horrors; Nunsense; and Godspell. Her love of children and singing was a winning combination for which Wishing Star and we wanted her to appear at it's number one fund-raising event. Nothing should be missed at this event, but these production numbers are a definite must see!
Patrick & Lisa's Swayze have great 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 sixth year. This was a particularly hard year for Patrick & Lisa due to the loss of their great stallion, Tammen in April of this year. We all send our condolences.
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 21st) is 509/534-1432.
If you missed out on the opportunity to buy a Big "D" collector's blanket last year, 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" doesn't 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. They have become sought-after collector items. Being non-stocked blankets, this is the tenth year these collector blankets will be 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. This design brings a touch of the great Northwest, it shows a herd of horses 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 will have Wishing Star's dove logo holding a star in it's mouth. Within the star it will read, "Limited Edition Collector's Blanket, donated by Big "D" Blankets - One of three - 1999." Once again, 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, create a design that is unique each year. The retail value of these blankets is $700. Take a look at this year's blanket at the event and see for yourself, it has got to be one the most creative blankets ever offered.
We also have several "non stallion service" auctioned items that we are very excited to offer. Thinking about going to the APHA, ApHC, AQHA World Show, Arabian US Nationals, Scottsdale, or maybe a non horsey event like Disneyworld in Florida? Here's an opportunity...Southwest Airlines has donated two round trip tickets - anywhere in the U.S. These tickets are valid for travel through 2000 with no exceptions.
Do you need another pen for that extra horse, or maybe just additions to what you already own? Wing's Fencing will (once again) be donating their 12x12, 5x5 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, Pro's 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! 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 1999, RaeAnne Pendell. RaeAnne is looking forward to seeing all of you at this years event. Wishing Star thanks The Exchange & Horse Previews Magazine for referring RaeAnne to our foundation. Her last name should ring a bell to many of us in the horse industry. Her dad, well known auctioneer, Raymond Pendell was the Inland Empire Arabian Horse Club's Stallion Services Auctioneer for many years at the old R.A. Aloha Arabians facility. RaeAnne is a ten-year-old, who is battling Acute Myeleod Leukemia. RaeAnne's wish is to go to Disneyworld. Plans are being made now for her and her family to board a plane for Florida. 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 lady!
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 21st 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 99201.
