Since 1933, the Budweiser Clydesdales have brought thrills to millions of people nationwide and have become the symbol of America’s most famed brewery.
On Monday, thousands of people came to the Shell Factory to see these renowned horses for the third straight year, and though their visit was a little shorter than in the past, it was still a thrill to see them.
The trucks pulled up to the front parking lot a little before 2 p.m. and spent a little more than a half-hour getting the eight horses hitched up before taking the tour around the Shell Factory grounds and getting their pictures taken by their adoring fans.
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The Budweiser Clydesdales take their laps around the center parking lot during their visit to the Shell Factory last Tuesday.
Rudy Helmuth, one of the handlers of the horses, said his team is one of three that tours the country, and it travels about 300 days per year to several hundred locations to promote their brand.
“The horses were a gift from August Busch Jr. to his father in 1933 to celebrate the end of prohibition and we carry on that tradition today,” Helmuth said. “We have our own breeding facility in Missouri and we raise 30 to 40 foals every year.”
They use geldings (neutered males) and have to have the white strip in the faces, white socks and start traveling at about four years old, and can travel for up to 10 years, when they are retired to a farm to live out the rest of their years.
There are 10 horses on the team, with two taking a break from each visit. There are also two drovers and a Dalmatian named Bud, who ride on the carriage.
The thrill of having he animals never gets old for Pam Cronin, who has seen the dream of her late husband come true.
“We’ve had people here since before 11 a.m. trying to find a place. It’s just been a great event. It’s nice to have something free and fun to do in North Fort Myers,” Cronin said, who rode on the carriage when they came in 2018 shortly after Tom passed away.
Fans were thrilled to see the horses. Susan Mason, of Cape Coral, saw the Clydesdales years ago when she was a child.
“They’re beautiful. It’s a beautiful day to see them. It brings back a lot of childhood memories,” Mason said.
Drake Wanshon and his friend Julia McRoberts were visiting and came to see them. Drake had never seen them. Julia had seen them several times when she lived in Massachusetts.
“I ride horses myself so I love them. I like to ride the jumpers, but he likes the big guys so we thought it would be fun,” McRoberts said.
“They are big. I didn’t think a horse got that big,” Wanshon said. “It’s awesome. These horses are beautiful and I’ll be sure to see them again.”
Someone who came dressed for the occasion was Kathy Pecora, who was a Bud girl when she lived in New Jersey and still had the Budweiser dress she wore.
“I did a lot of events in Jersey and I still do a few here. I figured the dress would be appropriate for the Clydesdales,” Pecora said. “I’ve seen them down here in Orlando or Busch Gardens and they’re beautiful, relaxing animals and to see them here is unbelieveable.”
