For ten days, the city hosts a world renowned rodeo and other events, called BUC Days. It's an annual thing, tho the last couple of years because of the covid 'scare' it was either canceled or not much of anything. This year, it's back again...full blast; May 5th thru the 15th.
The opening of the celebration is dunking of the Mayor of our city into the bay off a pirate ship; making her walk the plank. [photo courtesy of Google search] Thus, begins the festivities. Concerts, carnivals, parades, rodeos, pirates, etc. You can read more about it here. The other day on my way to the grocery store for deli salads for lunch, I saw that they were exercising the horses in a parking lot from the mall. I pulled in and watched. Then, when the stalls were cleaned and readied for their prospective 'owners'...they walked 'em into the tented area and we people who gathered by then could get an up close and personal look at them. They are part of the world famous Budweiser Clydesdales. Long ago, when we lived in Colorado, about 60-70 miles from home, there was a vast ranch for some of their horses, plus a brewery...near the Wyoming Border. We went often. Mainly for the kids' entertainment and I could be near my beloved critters. Trust me when I say they are some of the most pampered horses ever. Even their stables had chandeliers! Then, the gift shop. And taste testing. Oh...drool. So, it goes without saying, when I saw the Clydesdales here in town [they opened the parade proceedings with the Budweiser Wagon and the horses...plus two sweet Dalmatians of course]. I asked the one gentleman who was walking a group of three which ones were the lead horses. He pointed them out...Jack and JD. Beautiful specimens. I recall one of the Dalmatians being Lily, but can't remember the 2nd one's name. Here are some photos off my cellphone. After about an hour, I did eventually get to the store....
...the end!!!
Thursday, March 19th, 2009 4:10 A.M.
When I was rummaging through the photo albums looking for a particular photo for the photo hunt last Saturday, I came across the photos I took of the grand opening celebration of the Anheuser*Busch Brewery in Northern Colorado that we decided to attend. That day, we hopped in our car and drove north from our home about 45 minutes up the interstate past a small town called Fort Collins. The brewery is situated between Wellington, Co. and the Wyoming border. Hey, I wanted to sample the free beer! Besides, I love the Clydesdale breed of horses!! While I scanned the photo for the hunt, I took these photos out of another album and scanned them....
One thru Seven are photos while Eight thru Thirteen are facts on the breed:
Top left: the infamous fetlocks/'socks'. Top right: part of the harness. Middle left: The famous Budweiser wagon. Middle right: a colt Bottom left: another colt Bottom right: Entry to the stables
And one of my favorite photos that I took that day, is two lead Clydesdales and for me, it shows the companionship and familiarity of the horses from the stables. What a show horse!! I love them. In fact, I love the horses and what they stand for more than the beer itself. If you ask me, instead of the "King of Beers"...the Clydesdale is the "King of Work Horses". And these at this brewery are highly pampered. I've never SEEN such a clean stable in my life. Notice all the silver, real silver on all the horse tack....even the Anheuser emblem in tooled silver!!!! If and when I come back in another life, I wanna be a Budweiser horse.
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8] The Clydesdale is a breed of heavy draft horse developed in and deriving its name from the district in Scotland where it was founded. Its type was evolved by the farmers of Lanarkshire, through which the River Clyde flows. The old name for Lanarkshire is Clydesdale.
9] Most of the horses range in size from 16.2 to 18 hands and weigh between 1600 and 1800 lbs. Stallions and geldings are taller and will weigh up to 2200 lbs.
10] The Clydesdale horse breed is best known for its size, and the feather above the hooves.
11] Believed to have a history of over 300 years, their use as warhorses in the 17th century to their work in advertising today, the Clydesdale horse breed has undergone powerful changes.
12] Queen Elizabeth II saw a colorful Clydesdale pulling a milk cart and was so impressed with the animal she pressed it into royal service as a drum carrier to haul a 90-pound silver kettle used by the Household Cavalry band. Similarly, colorful horses today are referred to as drum horses or gypsy horses and are bred for their color, long mane and tail.
13] August A. Busch II admonished his son for buying a new Lincoln Town Car during the depression, he found outside the brewery in St. Louis, Missouri a Studebaker beer wagon with an eight-horse hitch of Clydesdales. They were formally introduced to August A. Busch Sr. and Anheuser-Busch on April 7, 1933, to celebrate the repeal of Prohibition. The horses remain today as the company's mascot.
BONUS!!
Here is one interesting site. All about the Budweiser Horses. And then, turn up the volume on your speakers....and,
Meet "Jake" He tells you about coming to America! [Budweiser Clydesdale 'history' commercial]
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Around 10 yesterday morning a gift arrived at the door. The delivery lady had a huge planted pot for me; from my sister. Sister's Day had begun. [see Wednesday's post; below] I then got a call from Colorado and she told me that she thought I needed another plant to have outdoors. [It's a running joke around our family that Anni is 'plant happy'] Anyway, a huge hibiscus tree was given to me. Now, for Sister's Day I can stand by the newly planted flowering tree and toast my big sister and our long lasting friendship.....it's beautiful!
Also, a text message from my sister-in-law. She's doing pretty well considering she had brain surgery. Miracles do happen! I was told that she gives thanks to us all for prayers for her. A long, difficult battle is ahead of course, but with that note, my emotions soared!! To a happy level I haven't seen in over a week.
Photos below are the hibiscus tree from my own sister.....
