The world-famous Clydesdales are hitched here in the Old Pueblo all week.
The symbol of Anheuser-Busch since 1933, are scheduled to make several appearances around Tucson throughout the week.
It is all part of the 75th Diamond Jubilee Celebration at Rillito Race Track.
The eight-horse hitch will be harnessed and hitched to the famous red beer wagon at the following dates and locations:
Wednesday, February 28 - Single Horse Showing at Fry’s Food Store (1795 W. Valencia Rd) 3PM-5PM
Thursday, March 1: Davis Monthan Air Force Base, 3PM-5PM Class Six (access restrictions apply)
Friday, March 2: Single Horse Showings at Fry’s Food Store (8080 S. Houghton) from 3PM-5PM
Rillito Race Track (4502 N. First Ave) 4PM-6PM
Saturday, March 3 through Sunday, March 4: Rillito Race Track with full hitch showing at approximately 2:30PM-3:30PM each day (between races)
Here are some interesting Clydesdale tidbits:
The Clydesdales’ appearance in Tucson 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 three 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.
Each hitch travels with a Dalmatian. 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.
