The world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales, the symbol of quality and tradition for Anheuser-Busch since 1933, will appear from Aug. 8 to 18 at the 2024 Missouri State Fair in Sedalia. This event is in partnership with County Distributing and Anheuser-Busch.
The Clydesdales will be located just east of the Mathewson Exhibition Center, where the eight-horse hitch will be harnessed to the renowned red beer wagon at various times during the fair. Known as the “Gentle Giants,” the Clydesdales will participate in several events, including the Opening Day Parade on Aug. 8 and the MSF Draft Horse Shows from Aug. 15 to 18. A detailed schedule for the Clydesdales will be available closer to the fair’s commencement.
The appearance of the Clydesdales in Sedalia is one of hundreds made annually by the traveling hitches. Originally brought to America by Canadians of Scottish descent in the mid-1800s, these giant draft horses are primarily used for breeding and show purposes.
Horses selected for the Budweiser Clydesdale hitch must be at least three years old, stand about 18 hands (six feet) at the shoulder, weigh an average of 2,000 pounds, be bay in color, and have four white legs, a white blaze on the face, and a black mane and tail. A gentle temperament is crucial, as the hitchhorses meet millions of people each year.
A single Clydesdale hitch horse consumes up to 25 quarts of feed, 50 pounds of hay, and 30 gallons of water daily. Each hitch also travels with a Dalmatian, a tradition stemming from the early days of brewing when Dalmatians were bred and trained to protect the horses and guard the wagon during deliveries.
The Budweiser Clydesdales are also viewable at the Anheuser-Busch Brewery and Grant’s Farm in St. Louis, MO, as well as at Warm Springs Ranch, the extensive 300-plus acre Clydesdale breeding farm near Boonville, MO.
