The world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales, the symbol of quality and tradition for Anheuser-Busch since 1933, are scheduled to make a special appearance at the Missouri Foxtrotting Horse Breed Association 2011 Show and Celebration on Friday, Sept. 9. The MFTHBA show grounds are located one mile north of Ava on Highway 5.
The “Gentle Giants” as they are often referred to will be showcasing Friday night’s Show and Celebration kicking off with a parade at 5 p.m. and grand opening ceremonies at 5:30 p.m.
The Show and Celebration runs from Sept. 4-10 and showcases the nation’s top Fox Trotter horses. The public is invited and admission prices are $6 per adult with children under 6 free.
The Clydesdales’ appearance in Ava is one of hundreds made annually by the 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 3 years of age, stand approximately 18 hands – or six feet – at the shoulder, weigh an average of 2,000 pounds, must be bay in color, have four white legs, and a blaze of white on the face and black mane and tail. A gentle temperament is very important as hitch horses 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.
