Just around the corner, scheduled for Sunday, January 29, 2012 at the Northern Quest Resort and Casino, the Annual Gallop Stallion Service Auction takes place. Once again, presented by Rhodes River Ranch, the upcoming auction will mark its 29th year. The event will kick off at 12:00 noon, PST, enabling national and international locations to participate in the bidding. All the stallions will be presented on 30’ screens at the event, while Internet on-lookers will be able to watch the event streamed live to their computers. They will see a flashing toll free number, place a call to one of the Gallop phone operators, and bid on services of any stallion, or vacation packages in the line-up.
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 29, 2012 for one of the Nation’s most successful fund-raising Equine Events – the Gallop Stallion Services Auction!
The Annual Gallop Charity Auction is rated as one of the best in the country for offered services! It has been professed, to feature a very impressive lineup. Every year, new stallion owners join the ranks of current Gallop stallion donors in wanting to support the mission! This year’s event has stallions participating from Kentucky, Washington, Texas, California, Mississippi, Utah, Oklahoma, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Georgia, Arkansas, Colorado, Wyoming, Arizona, South Dakota, Ohio, Iowa, Oregon, and Minnesota. Stallion breeding fees range from $500 to $5,600 per service. “We like to keep a pocket book range for everyone to have the chance to be a part of the event, mission, and heighten the bar of their breeding program,” explained Gallop Event Manager, Barbara Turner. This year’s auction 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. You will have the opportunity to purchase services to some of the finest Halter, Western Pleasure, Hunt Seat, Working Cow, Cutting, and Reining stallions in the world!
Each year, with compassion for the mission, close to 50 new stallion donors contact the Gallop Coordinator offering a breeding to the auction. The Gallop process allows previous stallion owners to have first rights of refusal. After this step, review of new applicants that want to participate takes place. Generally, only half a dozen (if that) spots are open. Sometimes this causes a new stallion to be placed late, with months of lost advertising. In fairness to a late placed stallion, Gallop feels obligated to give special mention of his participation.
The 2012 Gallop Auction offers yet another great Reining Horse to its lineup: NRHA Open Derby Co-Reserve Champion, Whizkey N Diamonds. Now owned by Rhodes River Ranch, Whizkey N Diamonds has been a steady performer since the start of his young career. He is the earner of LTE over $213,000; is the 2011 NRHA Shootout Reserve Champion; 2011 Open Derby Reserve Champion; 2011 NRBC Open Derby, 4/5th Place; 2011 Wimpys Little Step Open Derby Champion; 2009 NRHA Open Futurity, 3rd place; 2009 High Roller Open Reining Futurity Champion; 2009 Congress Open Reining Futurity Reserve Champion; 2009 NRHA Futurity Sire Award winner; 2009 Ohio Valley NRHA Open Reining Futurity Champion; 2009 Equi-Stat 3-Year-Old Open Money Earner and All/Age, All/Divisions Money Earner, 3rd place. He was, additionally, the Gordyville Open Derby 2011 Champion. Whizkey N Diamonds is a son of Topsail Whiz; NRHA Hall of Fame, NRHA Six Million Dollar Sire; the 2010 NRHA #1 Leading Sire and #1 All-Time Leading Sire; having sired the earners of over $7,752,000. His dam, Princess In Diamonds, is sired by Shining Spark. She was the 2009 NRHA & Equi-Stat #1 Leading Reining Dam and 2010 #12 All Time Leading Reining Dam. She is the dam of 25 foals, 13 of performance, including three 3-year-olds by Smart Chic Olena, and 9 performers earning a total of over $342,423. Whizkey N Diamonds is bred to perfection and has the distinct ability to perform at the top level every time he enters the show arena. This promising young stallion is one worth watching. With earnings already over $213,000, he has a bright future ahead. Whizkey N Diamonds entered the stud barn in the spring of 2011. Rhodes River Ranch is looking forward to the 2012 first foal crop to hit the ground. With his tremendous talent and top pedigree, he will undoubtedly produce many champions that share his natural athleticism, incredible looks and huge stops! Here is your opportunity to get in on the ground floor of what’s certain to be one of the most sought after sires in the industry.
The 2012 stallion lineup is closed, while the website is nearing its completion on the non-service auction items. This is the time when you should do some homework on the mare care facilities, costs, and breeding procedures of stallion services and ranches that are of interest to you. It also gives you an opportunity to take a close-up look at these stallions. Visit the Gallop website for more insightful information at: 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, the successful bidder, and the stallion owners or breeding farms.
Don’t think you can make it to the event? Pre-bidding is currently being taken, or bid live the day of the Gallop event, Sunday, January 29th, with one of the Gallop telephone operators. Just go to the website at: www.gallopauction.com, and starting at 11:00 AM PST, you will find within the Gallop template, a flashing toll free number to call. Have your credit card ready for the information that the operator will be asking, and try not to call in earlier then one or two services before the service you’re interested in hits the auction block. Not going to be near a computer the day of the event? On the road, working, hauling home from a horse show? Maybe you’re not confident with your dial up speed, or you’re not computer friendly. Let Barb Turner know ahead of time and arrangements can be made to contact you before your interested service comes up on the auction block.
Event underwriter, Rhodes River Ranch, returns in their 11th year 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, WA. The ranch is dedicated to breeding, raising and training future world champion performance horses and providing top quality service to their clients. 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. The Gallop Charity Auction is indebted to Jean Rhodes and all other sponsors for making it possible.
The non-service packages in Gallop’s Auction will be as outstanding as the breeding services! Non-service packages are auctioned off in between breeding services. They offer many in the Equine Industry, an opportunity to additionally support and participate who don’t have mares to breed, or any horses for that matter. These packages will continue to be added through the last week prior to the auction, so keep checking back on the website for additions.
Here are some of the packages to date: a 2 night, 3 day all-inclusive Five-Star Resort vacation at the Resort at Paws Up in Montana, rated third in the world for five star resorts! A 1 night, 2 day all-inclusive Dude Ranch vacation at K-Diamond-K Guest Ranch located in Republic, WA. Limited Edition prints by well noted artists from the Picture Peddler; a Hells Canyon Wild River Jet Boat Tour for 2, from Killgore Adventures; Artist Stephen Lyman’s ‘Sunset Fire’ Limited Edition Art Print professionally framed by Added Touch Framing; 2 Halter Show Packages from Woods Western with a Slinky from Robinhoods; Limited Edition Painted Ponies package from the artist themselves: Vickie Knepper-Adrian, Lynn Bean, and Maria Ryan. An Acoustic Guitar, hand signed in-person by one of the youngest artists to be inducted into the Grand Ole Oprey … Dierks Bentley.
Or, maybe you’d be interested in bidding on Gallop’s 7 night, 8 day ‘Caribbean Cruise’ for 2, aboard Celebrity. This package will include a balcony room, special on board Bridge Tour or Gallery Tour, priority tender and disembarkation, one night seating at the Captain’s table, and no expiration for the cruising date! If it’s a family vacation you have in mind, then Gallop’s ‘Disneyland Family Adventure’ 4 night, 5 day package with airfare for 4 people is what’s waiting for you! You will stay at the Hyatt Regency which is located less than one mile from the Disneyland Park, California Adventure and the Downtown Disney district. Want an opportunity to do something really unique? Something you will remember for life? Then consider a Churchill Downs (Kentucky) VIP Experience including: VIP Private Jockey Club Suite for 2 at Churchill Downs during the Spring 2012 meets, Race named in your honor & trophy presentation, 3 night stay at the Hyatt Regency Louisville, round-trip coach class airfare for 2 from within the contiguous U.S. and Canada to Louisville, KY; with the purchasing of this experience including a complimentary booking service. If it’s a romantic getaway for that special occasion, take a good look at spending some time on the Gulf of Mexico with Gallop’s ‘Hyatt Regency Cancun 7 Night Stay with Airfare for 2.’ Enjoy a seven night stay at this property located in Punta Cancun, right on the beach and just steps away from world-class shopping, restaurants and the best nightlife in Cancun. Enjoy the split-level pool with waterfalls, rest in ocean-view hammocks in the hotel’s exotic gardens, order a refreshing tropical drink in one of the hotel bars or improve your handicap at the nearby golf course, with round trip airfare for 2. Each week check back with Gallop’s website as new and exciting items are added.
But the excitement doesn’t end here! Only for those attending the event, are the silent auction tables. If it’s sports teams that spark your interest you’ll find a full sized Wilson Basketball which is autographed by the 2009-10 Pittsburgh Panthers on one of the auction tables. Autographs include Head Coach Jamie Dixon, Ashton Gibbs, Gary Mchee, Nasir Robinson, Nick Rivers, Dante Taylor, Travon Woodall, Chase Adams, Brad Wanamaker, Jermaine Dixon, Talib Zanna, Tin Frye, and JJ Richardson. Other additional items on the tables will include: tickets to Triple Play and Silverwood Theme Park; Dining Certificates; Gift baskets from Cool Beans, Coeur d’Alene Casino, Edible Arrangements and Sweetwater Bakery; a $200 gift certificate from Hickman Saddlery, a halter package from Cocolalla Creek Ranch, deep massages from Medical Spas; beautiful Western Art from Big R Ranch – Trent; a ton of Barn Dry from Aslin-Finch Feeds; and much, much more!
But, let’s not forget the back bone of the event … 52 stallion services offered to Leading Sires in our Industry: World, Reserve World, and Congress Champions! Gallop & the Ronald McDonald House Charities are indebted to all the donors who make this event possible! You need to come on down and get involved with the silent auction, Gallop festivities, and enjoy the opening ceremony kick off!
Watch as the stage comes alive filled with talent and entertainment that will astound you! Gallop’s Opening Ceremony at 12 Noon PST, brings Actress & Singer Valerie Stichweh to the stage. She has been performing at the Gallop event for over a decade entertaining the audience and Internet viewers along with the highly skilled performers, comedians, and actors … Randy Wilcox and Kevin Wakefield. As in past years, they are sure to create a festive vibe and bring spectators to their feet!
With all of this excitement, don’t forget the primary mission. All net proceeds from the Gallop Stallion Services Auction go to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Spokane, enabling them to continue serving hundreds of families.
Imagine if your child was sick. What would you do if you had to fly to a hospital in a different city far from your home? Would you know where to go? When you arrived at the hospital, where would you put your extra clothes? Where would you shower? Where would you wash your clothes? Who would you turn to for help? These and many other questions are all answered daily by the volunteers at the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Spokane.
Families are provided temporary lodging, comfort and support while their children are accessing medical services. These basic needs are met while they help their children overcome their medical struggles. 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.
Let us share a story, from a mother, with you that’s called, ‘100 Miles Away From Home but Never Alone.’
In February 2010, 10-year-old, Alexis Marie, called Lexi by her friends, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. After the diagnosis, Lexi spent a month as a patient at Sacred Heart Medical Center and when released found refuge with her family at the Ronald McDonald House of Spokane while undergoing three months of life-saving chemotherapy.
After the diagnosis, Adriana, Lexi’s mother, moved to Spokane to be by her side. Lexi’s dad, Brian, had to continue to work to support the family of four, while younger sister Ali continued with preschool. They didn’t have a place to sleep and were sickened with worry.
But the family’s situation changed when they arrived at the Ronald McDonald House. Lexi’s parents found much more than a place to rest, they found a place where they could find strength as a family and could be together.
“Alexis and I felt so welcome and safe while staying there. Our favorite memories of the House were the bonds I saw forming between Lexi and the other children battling cancer. My daughter showed so much compassion for all the other children, especially the younger kids,” said Adriana.
Adriana also realized that through it all she was not alone; she was supported, cared for, and encouraged by other mothers who were experiencing the same anxieties as she. For Lexi, her home was 100 miles away, but she never felt alone. Lexi knew she wasn’t alone fighting cancer; she had the support of a huge new family, the Ronald McDonald House family.
“We are forever grateful to the House. When a child is ill, it is the entire family who battles the disease. Lexi never felt alone in her battle. She knew that her battle was our battle. We fought together and we won,” said Adriana. Today, Lexi is 11 years old and has been diagnosed cancer-free.
— —Adriana
Stories like the one above are the reality for a multitude of families living at the Ronald McDonald House. Fortunately, people like you, support the mission when participating in the Gallop Event!
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Spokane is indebted to Gallop’s Sponsors, Donors, Committee Members, and Stallion Owners for their support in both the RMHC mission and Gallop Auction. You can be a part of the RMHC family. You can make a direct impact on the life of a child today. Ronald McDonald House Charities of Spokane looks forward to seeing you all at the Gallop Stallion Service Auction on Sunday, January 29, 12:00 PM for a “Fun”-raising event. For more information about Gallop, or the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Spokane, please contact Barbara Turner at 509-990-4167.