Budweiser Clydesdales: Four-Legged Celebrities Quiz

Answer: St. Louis, Missouri

August A. Busch, Jr. presented the red, white and gold, 1903, Studebaker-built wagon to his father, Adolphus Busch at Grant's Farm. This was a 281-acre home of the Busch family, originally owned by the father of Ulysses S. Grant. It was here, that the famous Anheuser-Busch, Budweiser's "gentle giants", were based. The federal government has registered it as a historic landmark.

Answer: customized tractor-trailers

In the early years following the prohibition period, these horses traveled by train. In 1940, the trucking industry began and they transported them via a convoy of specially designed, 50-foot tractor-trailers, with custom built rubber flooring, vent fans, air suspension, and special cameras and monitors, so the drivers could watch the precious cargo they were hauling.

It takes two of these tractor-trailers to haul the famous horses, and one to haul the wagon, harness gearing, and other necessities.

Answer: 18

Other requirements for qualification are, to be a gelding at least four years of age, be bay in color, with white stockings on bottom of all four feet, white color on its face, and black mane and tail. And one of the most important consideration is a gentle disposition.

The Clydesdales must reach six feet (at the shoulder), or 18 hands high. Their weight should be between 1800 to 2300 pounds, depending on their position in the hitch.

Answer: 5 hours 45 minutes

It takes five hours washing and grooming the horses. In this time period also, they polish the hand-crafted brass and imported leather harnesses (valued at $5,000 each). Ribbons are braided into their manes, and bows are intertwined into their tails. The harnesses each weigh 130 pounds and it takes three men to put it around the massive necks of the Clydesdales.

This process takes an additional 45 minutes. The expert groomers are on the road at least 10 months out of a year. They provide round-the-clock care when necessary to ensure the comfort and safety of the famous Budweiser Clydesdales.

Answer: 10

They transport two extra horses for alternates. Even though the trailers are customized for the comfort of the horses, the team stops each night at a local stable and lets the celebrity group of Clydesdales rest.

Answer: Yes

All of the Budweiser Clydesdales are given a name. However, the names are kept short to make it easier for the driver to give his commands to each horse during a performance, especially when they are doing their famous precision docking maneuvers with the beer wagon.

Some of the names have been, Ace, Andy, Archie, Bill, Buck, and of course, Bud, Captain, Commander, Duke, Jake, King, Luke, Mark, Mick, Sammy, Scott, and Smokey to name a few.

Answer: Dalmatians

According to Jim Poole, general manager for Clydesdale Operations, a new puppy is paired with an older dog to learn the ropes and they are introduced to the horses at a very early stage in their lives. Each puppy is trained in obedience and the dogs and horses have created a strong bond, even sleeping with them in the stables at night. Dalmatians began traveling on March 30, 1950.

Although this breed of dog is mild-mannered and enjoys being with people, they were trained to protect the horses and guard the wagon when deliveries were being made by the driver.

Their light colored coats made the wagons more visible at dusk, making it safer to be on the road. They generally sat next to the driver or on top of the load of beer.

Answer: 5

The home-based location is in St. Louis, Missouri. The other locations are, Menifee, California, San Diego, California, San Antonio, Texas, and Merrimack, New Hampshire. At Grant's Farm, just south of St. Louis, there are generally 35 Clydesdales. From their breeding operations, up to 15 foals are born on the world-famous farm each year.

The U.S. Family Travel Guide Zagat Survey ranked it the seventh best family attraction nationwide. More than 24 million people have been guests.

Answer: 1951

The first television commercial that portrayed the Budweiser Clydesdales, was a team of eight horses pulling a beer wagon through the gates of the estate of August Busch just south of St. Louis. This amazing breed of horses are probably the most recognized and beloved mascots in existence for any national company.

Answer: New York City

Standing in the snow of Central Park, all eight Budweiser Clydesdales were facing the skyline where the Twin Towers had once stood. Each horse bowed and paid tribute to the 9-11 victims and their families. It was one of Anheuser-Busch's most emotional and touching advertisements they've ever filmed. To view this video, go to www.ifilm.com/video/2419141.

But be warned, the silence of the impressive beauty, grace and power these horses exhibit in the commercial, can be a tear-jerker.