Even at the Kentucky Horse Park, a place that more than one hundred horses of all breeds, types and sizes call home, the Budweiser Clydesdales stand out.
The traveling hitch spent some time at the Park during the 2015 CP National Horse Show from October 27- November 1 where they presented demos in the Alltech Arena in between sessions of hunter, jumper and equitation competition. Visitors to the Kentucky Horse Park had the rare opportunity to see the horses up close in the Park’s Big Barn during their stay.
With an average height of 18 hands and weighing in at approximately 2,000 pounds each, the Clydesdales are a sight to behold. The eight-horse team pulls the 3.5-ton Budweiser wagon, guided by a driver who communicates with each pair individually.
In addition to the eight horses that make up the iconic hitch, a reserve pair travels with the team in case a horse is unable to perform. Each traveling hitch also has a Dalmatian mascot. The dog riding along with the hitch at the CP NHS is Barley, a 10-month old Dalmatian who joined the team in the spring of 2015.
Find out when you can see the Clydesdales in your area by checking their touring schedule.
Want more from the 2015 CP National Horse Show? Check out our video from the Accumulator Costume Class >>
Leslie Potter is a graduate of William Woods University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Equestrian Science with a concentration in saddle seat riding and a minor in Journalism/Mass Communications. She is currently a writer and photographer in Lexington, Ky. Potter worked as a barn manager and riding instructor and was a freelance reporter and photographer for the Horsemen's Yankee Pedlar and Saddle Horse Report before moving to Lexington to join Horse Illustrated as Web Editor from 2008 to 2019. Her current equestrian pursuits include being a grown-up lesson kid at an eventing barn and trail riding with her senior Morgan gelding, Snoopy.
Love these Bud horses.
WOW! Thanks for sharing...
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