Budweiser's Clydesdales to appear on Mall lot

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

The world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales, the symbol of quality and tradition for beer-maker Anheuser-Busch since 1933, are scheduled to make an appearance at the Dyersburg Mall.

The eight-horse hitch will be harnessed and hitched to the famous red beer wagon from 3:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 7 at the Mall parking lot.

The last appearance of the renowned horses in Dyersburg was in September 1998 during the Dyer County Fair. Almost a decade later, the Clydesdales will again delight locals.

The Clydesdales' appearance in Dyersburg is one of 300 made annually by the five traveling hitches. Canadians of Scottish descent brought the first Clydesdales to America in the mid-1800s. Today, the giant draft horses are used primarily for breeding and show.

Horses chosen for the Budweiser Clydesdale Hitch must be at least three years of age, stand approximately 18 hands - or six feet - at the shoulder, weigh an average of 2000 pounds, must be bay in color, have four white stockings, and a blaze of white on the face and black mane and tail.

A gentle temperament is very important, as hitch horses often meet millions of people each year.

A single Clydesdale hitch horse will consume as much as 20 to 25 quarts of feed, 40 to 50 pounds of hay and 30 gallons of water per day.

Each hitch travels with a Dalmatian dog. In the early days of brewing, Dalmatians were bred and trained to protect the horses and guard the wagon when the driver went inside to make deliveries.

Budweiser Clydesdale traveling hitches are based in St. Louis, Mo., Menifee, Calif.; San Antonio, Texas; San Diego, Calif; and Merrimack, N.H.

The Clydesdale viewing is open to the public.

The event is sponsored by Anheuser-Busch and Clark Distributing Co.

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i'm almost certain they have been in dyersburg since 1998.

-- Posted by tnmama on Wed, Apr 30, 2008, at 2:05 PM

i thought they'd been here since 1998 too.

-- Posted by justme30 on Wed, Apr 30, 2008, at 8:33 PM

Glad there is still pride in America .These horses are a show of such pride . I hope everyone gets to go by to see them to show we still respect such Honorable animals as these.They have become a symbol of America pride ,let their handlers know we appreciate Dyersburg being on their list of stops .

-- Posted by BIZCUITZNGRAVY on Thu, May 1, 2008, at 8:08 AM

ill take the kids out to see them

-- Posted by blabbermouth on Thu, May 1, 2008, at 9:26 AM