Budweiser Clydesdales to Make Appearance
The Clydesdales will be harnessed and hitched to the famous red beer wagon on Brooks Street outside Appalachian Power Park on the 21st from 5:45 PM to 6:30 PM. Gates to the ballpark will open at 5:30 PM so fans may be on-site for the arrival of the Hitch. The "Gentle Giants," as they are often referred to, will also participate in a parade around the ballpark. The parade begins at approximately 6:45 PM.
The Clydesdales' appearance in Charleston 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 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, CA, San Antonio, TX, San Diego, CA and Merrimack, NH. The Budweiser Clydesdales can be viewed at the following Anheuser-Busch breweries: St. Louis, MO, Merrimack, NH, and Ft. Collins, CO. Also Budweiser Clydesdales can be viewed at Grant's Farm in St. Louis, MO and at the following Anheuser-Busch Theme Parks: Busch Gardens Tampa, FL, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, VA, Sea World San Diego, CA , Sea World Orlando, FL and Sea World, TX.