Budweiser Clydesdales

Budweiser Clydesdale Mardi Gras Schedule!!

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Took a while to get the Budweiser Clydesdale Mardi Gras schedule this year. The Budweiser web site listed the dates the big beautiful horses would be in the Crescent City, but not which parades or stops they would be participating in. I received an email yesterday containing the schedule, hence this blog entry. I do love these huge beasts of burden and their relationship with New Orleans and Carnival. When the Clydesdales are in a Mardi Gras parade, it’s a bigger event.

More than 300 years ago, this imposing breed was first developed for farm work in the region of Clydesdale, Scotland. They are most easily recognized for their substantial feather — the long hairs of the lower leg that cover the hooves. Despite a dressy appearance, they are capable of pulling a 1-ton load at 5 MPH.

The Budweiser Clydesdales made their first-ever appearance on April 7, 1933. A gift from August A. Busch, Jr. and Adolphus Busch to their father in celebration of the repeal of Prohibition, the presentation of the original two six-horse hitches of champion Clydesdales moved father, sons and drivers to tears. The phrase “crying in your beer” was officially coined shortly thereafter.

In 1950, the Budweiser Clydesdales received their very own mascot: the Dalmatian. Traditionally used to guide horse-drawn fire carts, this spotted dog serves as friend and companion to the team, sitting aside the driver.

 

Wednesday, 2/19

New Orleans Mounted Police Fundraiser, 5 to 9 p.m.

Thursday, 2/20

No activities planned

Friday, 2/21

Excalibur Parade, 7 p.m.

Saturday, 2/22

Olympia Parade, 6 p.m.

Sunday, 2/23

Alla Parade, 12 p.m.

Monday, 2/24 – Thursday, 2/27

No activities planned

Friday, 2/28

Krewe d’Etat parade, 6 p.m.

Saturday, 3/1

Endyminion parade, 4:15 p.m.

Sunday, 3/2

Bacchus parade, 5:15 p.m.

Monday, 3/3

No activities planned

Tuesday, 3/4

Argus parade, 10 a.m.

Clydesdales Looking Great!

Clydesdales Looking Great!

Clydesdale Galloping!

Clydesdale Galloping!

 

 

 

Budweiser Clydesdales 2013 Mardi Gras Schedule!!

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Budweiser Clydesdales

Budweiser Clydesdales

Here come the most incredible draft horses in the world, the fabulous Budweiser Clydesdales hitch, six huge Clydesdales at a time, pulling an old time beer distributors truck on St. Charles Avenue and Canal Street.

The Clydesdale is a breed of draught horse derived from the farm horses of Clydesdale, Scotland, and named after that region. Although originally one of the smaller breeds of draught horses, it is now a tall breed. Often bay in colour, they show significant white markings due to the presence of sabino genetics. The breed was originally used for agriculture and haulage, and is still used for draught purposes today. The Budweiser Clydesdales are some of the most famous Clydesdales, and other famous members of the breed are used as drum horses by the British Household Cavalry. They have also been used to create and improve other draught breeds.

Clydesdales at pasteur

Clydesdales at Pasture

01/26: Krewe of Pontchartrain – Drive New Orleans, LA
01/27: Krewe of Alla – Drive New Orleans, LA
01/29: Mardi Gras-Single Horse – Drive New Orleans, LA
01/30: Mardi Gras-Single Horse – Drive New Orleans, LA

02/01: Krewe of Metairie – New Orleans, LA
02/02: Krewe of Olympia – New Orleans, LA
02/06-01/07: Mardi Gras-Single Horse – New Orleans, LA
02/08: Krewe of d’Etat – New Orleans, LA
02/09: Krewe of Endymion – New Orleans, LA
02/10: Krewe of Bacchus – New Orleans, LA
02/12: Krewe of Argus – New Orleans, LA

Clydesdales Line Up

Clydesdales Line Up

The breed was developed from Flemish stallions imported to Scotland and crossed with local mares. The first recorded use of the name “Clydesdale” for the breed was in 1826, and by 1830 a system of hiring stallions had begun that resulted in the spread of Clydesdale horses throughout Scotland and into northern England. The first breed registry was formed in 1877. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, thousands of Clydesdales were exported from Scotland and sent throughout the world, including to Australia and New Zealand, where they became known as “the breed that built Australia”. However, during World War I population numbers began to decline due to increasing mechanization and war conscription. This decline continued, and by the 1970s, the Rare Breeds Survival Trust considered the breed vulnerable to extinction. Population numbers have increased slightly in the intervening time, but they are still thought to be vulnerable.

 

 

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