WORLD RENOWNED BUDWEISER CLYDESDALES TO APPEAR AT JOSEPH L. BRUNO STADIUM IN TROY

TROY NY - The world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales, the symbol of quality and tradition for Anheuser-Busch since 1933, are scheduled to make several appearances in the Capital Region, and will appear at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium on Sunday, August 21.

The eight-horse hitch will be harnessed and hitched to the famous red beer wagon in front of the main gates of "The Joe" beginning at 3:30 p.m., and will be available for pictures until 4:15 p.m.

The "Gentle Giants," as they are often referred to, will participate in a pregame parade around the warning track beginning at 4:30 p.m. Decorated U.S. Army Captain and Vietnam War Veteran William Allendorph will ride in on the wagon, and be recognized for his service to our country.

Allendorph commanded a rescue mission of the only imprisoned American soldier ever to be forcibly returned to friendly control during the war. He was recently inducted into the U.S. Senate Veterans' Hall of Fame.

On this night, military personnel can receive a free ticket by showing a valid military ID at the ValleyCats box office.

The Clydesdales' appearance in Troy 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.

The Budweiser Clydesdales can be viewed at the Anheuser-Busch breweries in St. Louis, Mo.; Merrimack, N.H.; and Ft. Collins, Colo. 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.