World Famous Budweiser Clydesdales to appear at Melaleuca Field

Idaho Falls - The world famous Budweiser Clydesdales will be heading to Melaleuca Field on Saturday, June 23rd. The Chukars will be playing host to the Orem Owlz (Pioneer League affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim) at 7:15 PM. The Clydesdales will be on display as the gates open at 6:00 PM.

The Budweiser Clydesdales have been the symbol of quality and tradition for Anheuser-Busch since 1933. The eight-horse Hitch will be harnessed and hitched to the famous red beer wagon outside the main gates at Melaleuca Field. The Clydesdales' appearance in Idaho Falls is one of 300 made annually by the five traveling hitches.

Canadians of Scottish descent brought the first Clydesdales to America in the mid-1800's. 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 20-25 quarts of feed, 40-50 pounds of hay and 30 gallons of water per day. Each hitch will travel 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, Missouri; Menifee, California; San Antonio, Texas; San Diego, California; and Merrimack, New Hampshire.

For more information on the Budweiser Clydesdales, contact the Chukars at (208) 522-8363.

Source: Watkins Distributing - Idaho Falls, Idaho