Many bidders and spectators attended, while the remainder of the nation called in on toll free phone lines to bid on stallions, or simply watched the event on the internet! With the switch board lit up for four hours, twelve operators answered calls, took bids, and waved their hands for the ringmens attention.

An added bonus for attendees included bidding on silent auction items, which were fantastic! They included tickets to Silverwood Theme Park and Triple Play; dinner for (2) at the Melting Pot; Rock City Grill; or Clinkerdagger. Beautiful baskets lined the tables from Edible Arrangements, Cookies by Design, Whites Boots; and American Cowboy Coffee. Equine items included a ton of Barn Dry hay from Aslin Finch; a five man tent from Big R (Mead), hat cleaning, blocking, and shaping from Wolfs Hattery; a days adventure horseback riding from Northrup Canyon Horseback Riding; custom halter from Indiana Harness; beautiful art painting from Big R (Trent), shipping boots, leads, saddle pad; halter, and leg wraps from Will Rogers; Bronze bust from The Tack Trunk; a gift certificate from HAV Western Wear; a complete one hour deep message from Ajuva Medical Spa; a romantic get-away for two (in a room of your choice), from the Hilton Garden Inn; tickets for (4) to the Ronald McDonald House Charities Polo Classic; English cashmere scarves; and much more.

Non-service packages were auctioned off for bidders around US, Canada & Mexico. These packages were auctioned with our stallion services lineup. There were GREAT opportunities for everyone participating whether interested in the stallion services or not. Vacation Packages were offered such as a (3) day All-Inclusive Five-Star Resort at Paws Up; a (3) day All-Inclusive Hells Canyon Rafting trip; a (3) day All-Inclusive Dude Ranch vacation with K-Diamond-K Guest Ranch; a White Water Rafting day from the pines of Leavenworth to the sunny orchards of Cashmere; Limited Edition Framed Prints from the Picture Peddler, Marianne Figgins, and Rods Western Palace. A silver "Kathy Show Halter" from Woods Western; Slinky from Robinhoods; expensive custom turquoise and silver necklace from Finders Keepers; Pendleton Blanket, Horse Sculpture, Simply Northwest wine; and a Country Western Artists autographed Star Guitar from 93.7 The Cat ~ Spokane's Country. And, letís not forget the back bone of the event ... over 50 stallion services offered to Leading Sires in our Industry, World, Reserve World, and Congress Champions! As the gavel came down at the close of the auction, the horse industry showed their hearts. With the continued support of the industry pulling together to help, Gallop proved to be another success raising over $65,000!

The highest selling service was Two-Time AQHA World Champion and all-time leading AQHA sire, Smart Chic Olena. One of the Quarter Horse breeds most sought after stallions, his breeding was graciously donated by his previous owners, Curran Farms ... now home to Royal Chic Olena, also offered in our Gallop lineup. Standing the 2009 breeding season for $25,000; Smart Chic Olena's service sold for $5,500 to Ruthanne Alexander of Angleton, TX.

Our second highest selling service was NCHA Open Futurity Champion, Royal Fletch. His service was purchased out of Angleton, TX for $2,750. In support of families in crisis who need to be with their child in a hospital, a Royal Fletch service has generously been committed once again to the Gallop 2010 lineup by owners Burnett Ranches, Ltd. God Bless You!

Topping the sale as the third highest selling service was Two-Time World Champion and #1 Leading AQHA Halter Stallion in the Industry, Kids Classic Style. His service was purchased by Wendy Dee of Wellsville, Kansas for $2,700. Ronald McDonald House Charities of Spokane cannot thank Tom Scheckel & Family enough for donating a 2010 breeding service in the upcoming Gallop event. Their gift of love and support is heart felt and appreciated.

Gallop's fourth highest selling service of the 2009 Auction was Smart Lil Highbrow. Smart Lil Highbrow is owned by Ward River Ranch, and stands in Kingsburg, California. His service was purchased by Jane Jones of Tenaha, TX for $2,250. Ronald McDonald House Gallop was honored to offer a service to a top notch name in the industry. A strong supporter of the Gallop event, Ward River Ranch has donated his service to the upcoming 2010 event in helping families in need. We are indebted to them, THANK YOU!

Gallop would like to congratulate all the owners of Gallop's 2009 stallion lineup for their support and dedication to the mission, and to all the breeders who bid on these fine stallion services.

Don't forget, with all this auction excitement, our primary mission. All the money raised from the Gallop Stallion Services Auction stays right here in the Inland Northwest so that the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Spokane can continue serving thousands of families. The House provides a consistent and caring helping hand, lessening the mental and financial strain on the families. It allows them to focus on the most important thing ... supporting their children. One parent was heard to say, "If we did not have the Ronald McDonald House, we would have had to sleep in our van or commute the hour and a half to the hospital when it was possible." One child's mother and grandparents stayed (23) nights. The mother said, "I didn't want to leave my daughter but also couldn't afford to stay in a motel for what we knew would be a long stay. We are eternally grateful to the Ronald McDonald House."

Each year prior to the Gallop Event, we try and educate our readers, about Ronald McDonald House Charities of Spokane, Washington. For this article, we'd like to give a gift of 'love & appreciation' to all of you by sharing some stories about some of the families. Unfortunately, stories like the ones youíre about to hear are the reality of a multitude of families living at the Ronald McDonald House. Fortunately, people like you, support our mission when participating in our Gallop Event!

Darbie's mother and grandparents stayed at our house for 23 nights in December, 2003. Darbie was flown from her hometown of Richland, Washington to Sacred Heart Hospital in critical condition.

Darbie spent 4 days in a Richland hospital when her kidneys shut down, and her heart and liver began to swell. She was flown to Spokane on December 1st where she stopped breathing the next day. "The Ronald McDonald House allowed us to focus on Darbie when she needed us most," said Darbie's grandmother. After 12 blood transfusions and 23 days later, Darbie was able to go home.

Darbie is back to her fun-loving self. She loves Sponge Bob and keeps her mom, Theresa, very busy. Theresa said, "You would never know she went through such an ordeal."

Skyyler is a fine young man who has made the Ronald McDonald House his second home. He brings joy and humor everywhere he goes. Here is his story...

By the age of age 4, Skyyler Barron was already a fighter and a survivor. He has neuroblastoma, a form of cancer that began in his right kidney and became wrapped around his three major arteries. His family first learned of his cancer April 1, 2003, since then he has endured a biopsy, radiation treatments, chemotherapy, and a bone marrow transplant. His spinal cord and vital organs remain cancer-free, but there are traces of it in his arms and legs. He also lost his right adrenal gland.

The Barrons are from Missoula, Montana. They spent much of their spring in Spokane for Skyyler's treatment at Sacred Heart Medical Center. They stayed at the Ronald McDonald House and credit the staff and entire organization with helping them keep their sanity during their extremely difficult times. "We're very grateful to the Ronald McDonald House. It's very private." Angie Barron said.

Skyyler has endured many sessions of chemotherapy in Spokane and other treatments in Seattle. Prior to treatments Angie loads the car in Missoula and drives to the Spokane or Seattle Ronald McDonald House.

Speaking for her family, Angie appreciaties the Ronald McDonald House and staff as much as the medical staff caring for her son.

Isaac was due to come into the world on December 3rd. However, his entrance was not a typical one; Isaac had gastroschisis, which means his bowel was growing outside of his abdominal wall. His mother was flown to Deaconess Hospital in fear of losing him on October 10th. Isaac had his first surgery immediately and has endured three surgeries with possibly more to come.

His mother and two year old sister have made the Ronald McDonald House their home-away-from-home. His mother Angeles said, "I just don't know what we would have done if the Ronald McDonald House didn't exist. I am very, very, thankful to everybody here. Not only do they give you a place to live while going through your hard time but they also help you with cash for food. The volunteers are nice, but best of all they are always there to listen and encourage you."

Angeles was able to give words of encouragement to other parents, even though she is going through a very tough time, she said, "All I can say is have faith in God and don't let anything or anybody put you down. All that matters is for your child to get better. I have cried so much ever since I found out my baby was sick when I was four months pregnant. Now I am hopeful that my baby will be better soon and going home to his family. This situation is only helping me to be stronger and thankful."

Elijah was born 13 weeks premature due to pregnancy induced Hypertension. When he was 2-1/2 weeks old he got a condition called Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC), in which a portion of his bowel died and perforated. Elijah was very ill being only 1 pound 10 ounces at the time. Twenty five percent of the babies with NEC do not live. Two drains were put in, but Elijah remained very sick. The decision was made to perform surgery and create a temporary colostomy. His parents stayed at the Ronald McDonald House for 100 days while Elijah underwent his surgeries at the hospital. Elijah has gone home to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho with his parents who will never forget their "Home-Away-From-Home". "The Ronald McDonald house has been a great blessing for our family, providing a comfortable, peaceful atmosphere during such a trying time in our lives. It has been wonderful to be only minutes away from the hospital. Every staff member and volunteer has touched our lives in a way that 'thank you' would never be enough." said Elijah's mother, Nellie.

Through the Gallop Stallion Services Auction, you can help Ronald McDonald House families with a vast variety of health care needs. The following is just a sample of the issues these children face - Cystic Fibrosis; Spina Bifida; Seizures; Respiratory Ailments; Down Syndrome; Heart Conditions; Meningitis; Cerebral Palsy; Diabetes, Orthopedic; Cancer; and premature births. For others its injuries related from a car accident, or mishap. This is your opportunity to help a family in crisis who needs to be with their child in a hospital. How can you do that? Well, first mark your calendars for Sunday, January 24, 2010 for one of the Nation's most successful fund-raising Equine Events - the Gallop Stallion Services Auction!

Each year we profess our upcoming event one of the most impressive lineups ever. But, it's true. Each year new stallion owners join the ranks of our current Gallop stallion owners in wanting to support our mission by participating! This year's Event has stallions participating from Kentucky; Washington; Texas; California; Mississippi; Utah; Oklahoma; Michigan; Georgia; Arkansas; South Dakota; Ohio; Iowa; Oregon; Kansas; and Idaho. Stallion breeding fees range from $500 to $25,000 per service. This year's event offers services to National & Congress Champions, World & Reserve Champions (nearly half of the line-up are two-time World Champions, while others are five times or more World Champions). Many of you will recognize their names, as they are leading sires of their breed producing World and Reserve World Champion offspring.

Event underwriter Rhodes River Ranch returns in their ninth year of presenting the Gallop Event. They are located at the foothills of the Cascades, just an hour and a half north of Seattle/Tacoma International Airport in beautiful Arlington, Washington. The Ranch is dedicated to breeding; raising and training future world champion performance horses; and providing top quality service to their clients. Rhodes River Ranch is home to renowned Champion Quarter Horse Stallion, "Shine Like Hail." They also offer some of the finest performance prospects with bloodlines such as, Peptoboonsmal; High Brow Cat; Soula Jule Star; Nic It In The Bud; Starlights Joy; Shine By The Bay; CD Olena; Topsail Whiz; TR Dual Rey; CD Lights; and Shine Like Hail. They welcome visitors to tour their site and/or contact them for more information regarding a service, stallion, sales or just to visit. To learn more about the Ranch, go to www.rhodesriverranch.com.

Gallop will kick off Sunday, January 24, 2010 at 12:00 noon, PST, enabling national and international locations to participate in the bidding. All the stallions will be presented on thirty-foot screens at the event. Once again, Internet on-lookers will be able to watch the event live, streamed to their computers, pick up their phones and dial a 1-800 number (accessible on our website at noon, the day of the auction), and bid on a service of any one of the stallions in our line-up. Twelve Gallop phone operators, located at the event, will receive incoming calls and bid live for the bidders.

This is a time when you should do some homework on the mare care facilities, costs, and breeding procedures of stallion and ranches that are on your list. It also gives you an opportunity to take a close-up look at these stallions. Visit our website for more insightful information at www.gallopauction.org or www.gallopauction.com. If you are looking at transporting semen, be sure to research by internet or contact those stallion owners prior to the event to find out what your costs will be. In addition, check on what their "Live Foal Guarantee" consists of. Those costs will be between you and the stallion owners or breeding farms.

Do not miss the unforgettable surprise spectacular of Gallopís Opening Ceremony at 12:00 noon, PST. Watch as the stage comes alive filled with talent and entertainment that will astound you! Actress/Singer Valerie Stichweh who's been performing at the Gallop event for over a decade will entertain the audience and internet viewers along with the highly skilled performers, comedians, and actors ... Randy Wilcox, and Kevin Wakefield will feature impersonations of rock stars such as Diana Ross; Madonna; Stevie Ray Vaughan; Mick Jagger; Little Richard; Michael Jackson; and many more. Their amazing showmanship and truly fantastic renditions of oldies favorites, Motown, Disco, 70's Classics, 80's Hits and more, are sure to create a festive vibe and bring spectators to their feet!

As new stallions are being added to the line up, Gallop humbly welcomes back many of the same fine stallions as it gears up for the 2010 Event on Sunday, January 24, 2010, at the Northern Quest Casino Pavilion in Spokane. So please mark your calendar! And, don't forget to start researching the stallion lineup for the 2010 breeding season at: www.gallopauction.org or www.gallopauction.com. As the 2010 event approaches, we will keep you updated through Gallop's official publication, Horse Previews. Keep an eye out as additional stallions will continue to be listed into the lineup through January.
We look forward to seeing you all there!