OCALA – Tri-Eagle Sales and Live Oak International are excited to announce that the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales are scheduled to appear in Ocala at Live Oak International during the tournament from Thursday, March 16 through Sunday, March 19.
The eight-horse hitch will be harnessed and hitched to the famous red beer wagon at the tournament with various presentations throughout the event. The “Gentle Giants,” as they are often referred to, will be staying at Live Oak International and will participate in special presentations throughout the duration of the tournament.
“We’re very excited to have these beautiful horses back at Live Oak International this year,” said Chloe D. Reid, Live Oak International Co-President. “These horses are majestic, and the Budweiser hitch itself is something all should come out to see. It’s truly spectacular and an experience like no other.”
“This is a momentous occasion for Tri-Eagle Sales to have the opportunity to bring the World-Famous Budweiser Clydesdales to Ocala,” said Tri-Eagle Sales President Ken Daley. “The Clydesdales represent more than just Budweiser. They embody America’s spirit, strength, and commitment to excellence. We are thrilled to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Clydesdales at Live Oak International and share these storied icons with our consumers and the horse community.”
The Clydesdales’ appearance in Ocala is one of the hundreds made annually by the traveling hitches. Canadians of Scottish descent brought the first Clydesdales to America in the mid-1800s. Today, the giant draft horses are used primarily for breeding and show.
Horses chosen for the Budweiser Clydesdale hitch must be at least four 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 1 to 6 pounds of feed, 50 to 60 pounds of hay and 30 gallons of water per day.
Each hitch travels with two dalmatians. 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.
In addition to seeing them at Live Oak International in March, The Budweiser Clydesdales can be viewed at the Anheuser-Busch brewery in St. Louis, Mo. They also may be viewed at Grant’s Farm in St. Louis and at Warm Springs Ranch, the 300-plus acre Clydesdale breeding farm located near Boonville, Mo.
Live Oak International is looking forward to once again hosting riders and drivers from around the world to compete in their disciplines of show jumping and combined driving.
To purchase tickets, visit here.
For all the details on this year’s tournament and for the timing of the Clydesdale presentation visit www.liveoakinternational.com